Eviction Moratorium Extended AGAIN

[Mark Gaskins]

Just read the article today that a judge in DeKalb county Georgia has extended the eviction moratorium for 60 more days.

I have two properties in Clayton County and curious what savvy landlords do to hedge the losses of rents during this time? One tenant hasn’t paid rent since April and is prepared to move…the other has Section 8 which is not covering her for the full amount needed. So she’s moving. However, with the stay on evictions, I would like to know of how to document the losses, what to fill out with the city/county, how to ensure that the losses in rents are not a complete loss after this is all said and done.

https://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta-news/dekalb-judge-issues-new-countywide-eviction-moratorium/4U56X6QWXJAHJB6IVAB6GPGIRI/?fbclid=IwAR0U5xK-jwvdHHR87YESacIohAOacZrHsRlSa-NgUhhF-3aXBx7D52bUbGg

[Jennifer Donley]

Ugh, sorry to hear this.

I'm not in that location but a couple thoughts - have you checked with local groups regarding rental assistance and/or have the tenants?

For the S8 tenant - have you notified S8 of past due balances (if tenant has them)?  When we have an S8 tenant 20 days late or more, we send statements to the tenant and caseworker.  And I stay on it until the caseworker acknowledges receipt.

There's really no reason for her to move with S8 - she's going to have a portion to pay no matter where she goes and it's going to be the same amount.  If her income has changed, she can notify her S8 caseworker and get her portion reduced mid lease term.

Also, S8 tenants are not supposed to be able to keep their voucher if they owe prior landlords $.  BUT if the landlord doesn't notify S8, they can't enforce this.

Lastly, I would recommend seeing if you can find a good collections person/agency there to try to recoup any losses. We have a few good ones here and while it's not foolproof, they do a decent job and you only pay if they collect (they keep a portion).