CDC Guideline Update

With the onset of new CDC guidelines impacting housing, many landlords or property owners are wondering how it will impact their property, tenants, or other specific situations they may be in. These situations can be especially complicated when a tenant has not been paying rent, or there are other tenant-related concerns.

What does the new CDC order say?

The new CDC order was put forth in an effort to protect Americans who may be struggling with a COVID-19 related financial hardship and may be having difficulties keeping up with rental payments. The order has sparked a lot of conversation among those who rent out their homes, as they are unsure what they can legally do in some cases, if they need to abide by what the CDC says, and how to stay compliant during rapidly changing times.

On August 3, 2021, the CDC issued an eviction moratorium that will continue until October 3, 2021. The new order was placed with the intent of reducing evictions in areas with higher transmission rates, which will include the onset of the Delta variant. It is discussed that White House will likely add protections for renters, including an extension of the CDC’s moratorium until December 31, 2021.

Whether or not an individual believes that they should legally have to follow these new guidelines, we encourage each of our clients and potential clients to follow laws and guidelines closely. Although some guidelines may bring up other concerns and questions, protecting yourself and your property should be your first priority, and the best way to do that is to ensure you are being compliant.

Should I be worried?

No, there’s no need to worry! Throughout COVID, we have seen changing guidelines and laws to accommodate both renters and landlords. You can learn more about some of the COVID-19 changes here.

It can be difficult to keep up with ever-changing laws and guidelines, so these changes can feel frustrating when you are working hard to remain compliant in all of your business practices. One of the reasons many of our clients choose to hire a property manager after acting as a self-managing landlord is because they recognize the difficulty of staying truly up-to-date on federal, state and local laws. You can learn more about the top pitfalls to avoid as a self-managing landlord, here.

Although changing laws can be inconvenient, hiring a professional will mitigate your worries regarding accidentally not following guidelines. There is a lot of value in keeping your home, and renting it out, regardless of how COVID-19 related guidelines may impact the process. Learn here why you shouldn’t sell your family home, and why renting it out may be the best option for you.

Okay, so what should I focus on?

Overall, the new guideline is not cause for concern. No matter the law, it is in everyone’s best interest to stay compliant and ensure you take appropriate steps to follow the laws. We highly recommend placing your focus on local laws that may specifically affect your area, as these may be in place longer and may vary slightly from the regulations on a federal level.

Some of the newer regulations will expire or be discontinued after time, whereas local laws are more likely to stay the same. These laws will also show slight variants in the federal or state laws, so it is essential to understand the area you are renting your home from. 

If you are interested in learning more about how you can stay compliant and how these laws could impact your specific situation with your property, reach out today to start a conversation with one of our team members.