Gov. DeSantis extends eviction moratorium until July 1

Real estate crisis
The ban was set to expire Tuesday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has extended the eviction moratorium until July 1.

That ban on evictions and foreclosures was set to expire Monday at midnight. But DeSantis has granted an additional 30 days, according to the Governor’s spokeswoman, Helen Aguirre Ferré.

As recently as Friday, the Governor said he had not decided whether to extend the protections for homeowners and renters, but expected to make a decision “pretty soon.”

In a Monday night tweet, Ferré said DeSantis issued the order “because he believes it’s the right thing to do given the harmful economic impact of COVID19.”

Democrats have repeatedly asked for the extension throughout the pandemic as the economic reality of a lockdown hit Floridians. Technical problems plaguing the state’s unemployment system portal have compounded those hardships for jobless Floridians.

And for those who still haven’t been fully paid what they’re owed, getting on the phone with a customer service representative has been a continuing problem.

That’s left many Floridians unable to pay the bills. But as landlords lose income, they too must figure out how to pay the bills.

Senate Minority Leader Audrey Gibson‘s office on Wednesday sent the Governor a letter calling for the moratorium to be extended until July 1, 30 days from the June 2 end date.

On Friday, DeSantis indicated several announcements could come this week after the Governor did not hold a press conference in Tallahassee all week for the first time since the pandemic began.

“We’ve got a bunch of different things that are expiring,” he said. “We obviously are also going to look at Florida’s overall posture on some of the restrictions, and so we’ll probably be having a lot of announcements over the next few days.”

The Florida Supreme Court had previously ordered a pause on evictions and foreclosures through April 17.

Most monthly obligations have leniency. Major Florida utility companies and telecommunications providers have pledged not to cut off service due to nonpayment during the pandemic.

But that hasn’t stopped all landlords from threatening to give tenants the boot.

The Department of Economic Opportunity has distributed nearly $4 billion worth of unemployment benefits to more than $1 million claimants throughout the pandemic as of Monday.

Renzo Downey

Renzo Downey covers state government for Florida Politics. After graduating from Northwestern University in 2019, Renzo began his reporting career in the Lone Star State, covering state government for the Austin American-Statesman. Shoot Renzo an email at renzo@floridapolitics.com and follow him on Twitter @RenzoDowney.


10 comments

  • Bill

    June 1, 2020 at 11:11 pm

    This is unbelievable! I have tenants not paying , but have money to get fallen down drunk, annoying neighbors and ironically haven’t paid exactly since April 2nd. So it’s my responsibility to give a free roof over these tenants heads? I’m out thousands of dollars . The governor says tenants will still owe? Right. I will never see a dime. Thanks Gov. the eviction process is what keeps people paying there rent. I’m not the government. Free rent to the poor. Your eviction moratorium is ruining my income and risking what I have worked years to achieve..

    • Sue O'Connor

      June 2, 2020 at 11:02 am

      I LITERALLY want to jump off a cliff. I had tenants who live in my house as roommates. There rent check bounced March 11th. Paid a Lawyer $750.00 to draw up paperwork with a 2 week notice. Than April 2nd came along. Now July 2nd.Gave the lawyer $1200.00 more yesterday to get them out with a court order. I had the other part of my house rented people are to move in June 16th. Now not only am I paying a $1900.00 rent solo again for the last 4 months I am losing my new tenant. Meanwhile the are laughing and Taunting me. Eating steaks on the grill. Both got huge unemployment checks. Both are working under the table living the GREAT life and I am going to the foodbank. I realize the lawyer says I can sue them after but I am about to lose everything. They won’t pay me.

      • DIANE KANHAI

        June 2, 2020 at 2:01 pm

        I feel your pain, I am 6K under and they were past due since Jan. I did the filing myself.
        I am so frustrated,I have 2 children in College of which I have to pay their Rent and they are living at home. The kids have to take their classes online and pay an online fee in addition to the tuition, this is insane. This is absolutely frustrating, there is no protection for landlords. The majority of my tenants are good people and I help them when I can, but when you have the people who are taking advantage and know they can get a free ticket, it is unfair. I feel like Landlords need to come together and fight the Government but I dont know how. Even the Courts are now so rude, the clerks treat you as if you are a criminal.

    • DIANE KANHAI

      June 2, 2020 at 2:10 pm

      I agree with you, unfortunately we never recover anything. The Eviction was the one thing we had to get them out and start rebuilding and it has been taken away. They get the stimulus checks and all the kick backs. Sometimes, I feel the government just want Small businesses to fail. I hope everything works out for you quickly.

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    June 2, 2020 at 2:03 pm

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  • Pat Ward

    June 2, 2020 at 2:09 pm

    This is horrible. My tenants have already had 3 free months . now they get another month. Doesn’t the Governor know landlords have bills too? How am I going to pay my bills? I will never see any of the back rent my tenants owe. Tenants have gone back to work, but I can’t get my rent…

  • Craig Roulhac

    June 2, 2020 at 2:10 pm

    If so many of you landlords weren’t slumlords, you won’t be experiencing this now. Karma Is A Bitch! What you do to people, comes back ten times over!

    • Diane Kanhai

      June 2, 2020 at 2:22 pm

      I am not a slumlord, I was giving a family an opportunity to have a roof over their heads because they had two young children. They just want to take advantage of the system giving them a free ticket. I wish their kids grow up to be good people.

  • Rehabilitation Centres

    June 2, 2020 at 5:29 pm

    Actually when someone doesn’t be aware of after that its up to
    other users that they will help, so here it takes place.

  • jon barker

    June 3, 2020 at 4:50 pm

    By refusing its’ obligation to enforce civil contracts via the court system, the government of Florida has interfered with contractual agreements designed and executed in reliance upon its’ demand for the use of the judicial system and promise to enforce agreements between parties rather than rely on physical confrontation. The State of Florida has purposefully defaulted on its’ responsibility to maintain counter-party trust and public order, has attacked the foundation of commerce, and has damaged the value of property and businesses. We believe the State of Florida is liable for damages.
    While it may feel good for those in government to take an action to keep people in homes during a crisis, this unprecedented and unconstitutional government action has damaged individuals and businesses. The vast majority of tenants have received sufficient benefits to pay rent, mortgages, and other contractual obligations. Aggrieved landlords, lenders, individuals, and companies cannot and will not continue to support or fund a government that refuses its duty and obligation to honor its’ promise to provide the foundation for civil order. We will not support a government which demands that citizens rely on the judicial system but then refuses to adhere to its’ own published code.

Comments are closed.


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