Evictions During Coronavirus Pandemic

evictions during coronavirus
May 26, 2020

Evictions During Coronavirus Pandemic and Landlord/Tenant Disputes

If you find yourself in a bind financially during Coronavirus and you are worried about rent, now is the time to contact your landlord.  Evictions during Coronavirus pandemic are not allowed. While it is true that your landlord cannot evict you while the courts are closed, they can seek more damages after the courts open back up. That is why it is important to work with your landlord now on a peaceful resolution rather than waiting until later. If you intend on calling your landlord or otherwise contacting him about rent, please consult with an attorney first so you know your options. If you cannot afford to consult with an attorney at the moment, here is a few things you can do and ask for to reach a peaceful resolution.

Evictions during Coronavirus pandemic are barred. Request for rent Abatement.

Ask first for rent abatement to delay evictions during coronavirus pandemic. Do not let deferral of rent be your first proposed option. Start from a point which is beneficial for you. Explain your circumstances and explain that once you have a job, you won’t necessarily have the money up front to pay him for unpaid rent.

Request for rent Deferral.

Ask second for deferral with your security deposit as collateral. If you can’t pay now, chances are you wont be able to pay in full as soon as the crisis ends. You may want to consider asking for indefinite deferral of your current rent until you have the money to pay it. Many places ask for either full or close to a full month of rent as a security deposit. Tell your land lord that if you don’t pay the rest of your rent, he can use the funds in the security deposit as collateral. Remember there is a moratorium on evictions during cor

You cannot be Evicted right now until courts reopen.

Don’t be bullied into dipping into your savings or selling your assets. You cannot be evicted right now as courts are closed and evictions during coronavirus pandemic are barred.  As soon as courts open up, you will have the chance to pay your rent and stop the eviction process. There may be additional fees but that is no reason for your landlord to threaten you with eviction.

Your landlord is also financially struggling right now.

Understand that they may be struggling as well, and talk about it. In most cases, your landlord may also be struggling so it is good to hear them out and see how much rent they may need to make it through so that you both can survive. This way, neither of you starve and they may remember it later when the rest of your rent is due. But understand that the landlord  can threaten eviction but evictions during coronavirus pandemic are not being heard by the courts in Virginia.

Document any violations of the lease by landlord.

Finally, as a last resort, use this time to note all violations of your lease your landlord may have committed and notify them immediately as soon as the list is complete. This may give you grounds to defend yourself later if worst comes to worst and you are evicted as soon as courts open back up.

You can view the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) here. You may also want to review Unlawful Detainers.