Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the eviction moratorium today (Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Office)
May 7, 2020 By Allie Griffin
Governor Andrew Cuomo extended the statewide eviction moratorium a further two months today, as more and more New Yorkers are unable to make rent.
Cuomo first issued the moratorium — for both residential and commercial renters — on March 20 by an executive order to prevent landlords from evicting people and business owners during the coronavirus crisis. The moratorium was set to expire in June and today Cuomo extended it through August 20.
“No one can be evicted for nonpayment of rent — residents or commercial — because of COVID until August 20,” Cuomo said at his daily press briefing today.
He also introduced additional measures to protect renters.
The state is banning late payment fees during the moratorium and allowing renters to use their security deposit as a rent payment, Cuomo said.
They can then repay the security deposit over a longer period of time, he added.
“People literally are worried about being able to pay rent,” Cuomo said. “You don’t work for two months and that rent bill keeps coming in.”
The governor said he hopes the extension gives struggling New Yorkers some relief.
“I hope it gives families a deep breath. Nothing can happen until August 20.”
However, some say his moratorium does not go far enough. The moratorium prevents people from being kicked out of their homes or businesses during the pandemic, but it doesn’t cancel rent payments or provide rent forgiveness.
Cuomo today said he will revisit the moratorium order as August approaches, with the possibility of extending it.
“We’ll see what happens between now and then,” he said.
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