On Tuesday, August 3, 2021, President Joe Biden’s administration announced a new moratorium on evictions — just three days after the previous federal moratorium expired and attempts to pass congressional action were thwarted thanks to swift action by NAR and Arizona REALTORS®.

The new moratorium, which will last for 60 days, is narrower than the previous Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium, which protected any tenant who could prove an eligible COVID-19-related impact. The new eviction ban applies only to counties with high rates of COVID-19 transmission, reflecting counties in which the CDC recommends vaccinated residents wear masks indoors and in public settings – which, as of August 3, applies to all counties in Arizona.

Additionally, the new moratorium only applies to evictions filed for nonpayment of rent; it does not relieve any individual of any obligation to pay rent, make a housing payment or comply with any other obligation that the individual may have under a tenancy, lease, or similar contract. Nothing in the order precludes landlords from charging or collecting fees, penalties, or interest as a result of the failure to pay rent or other housing payment on a timely basis, under the terms of any applicable contract. Landlords can still seek evictions for other issues, such as criminal activity on the property.

The Arizona REALTORS® are continuing to work with NAR to advocate our opposition to this policy and will take every measure possible to ensure private property rights are restored and protected. The Arizona REALTORS® are also working with state agencies to ensure that assistance programs are further streamlined, and dollars are deployed to tenants and landlords so bills can be paid and all unnecessary evictions can be avoided.

A copy of the eviction moratorium can be found here: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/communication/Signed-CDC-Eviction-Order.pdf

Matthew Contorelli

Government Affairs Director
matthewcontorelli@aaronline.com
(602) 248-7787 – Ext. 1481