The Trump administration announced yesterday that it would ban evictions through the end of the year of tenants who are unable to pay their rent due to the Covid19 pandemic.
An executive order by President Trump directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a temporary eviction moratorium. And the agency will impose penalties on landlords who violate it.
Evictions for reasons other than Covid19 can continue.
“A person violating this Order may be subject to a fine of no more than $100,000 if the violation does not result in a death or one year in jail, or both, or a fine of no more than $250,000 if the violation results in a death or one year in jail, or both, or as otherwise provided by law,” the order reads.
“An organization violating this Order may be subject to a fine of no more than $200,000 per event if the violation does not result in a death or $500,000 per event if the violation results in a death or as otherwise provided by law,” it adds. “The U.S. Department of Justice may initiate court proceedings as appropriate seeking imposition of these criminal penalties.”
Photo by Tony Webster