New York City landlords have pledged a 90-day moratorium on evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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New York City property owners, along with the city’s major real estate trade association, pledged Friday that landlords will not pursue eviction against tenants for the next 90 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Starting immediately, we are voluntarily pledging that we will not execute any warrant of eviction for the next ninety days unless it is for criminal or negligent behavior that jeopardizes the life, health or safety of other residents,” wrote Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) Chairman William C. Rudin, REBNY President James Whelan, and a list of leading New York rental building owners and managers, including the heads of Related Companies, Tishman Speyer, Two Trees and Vornado Realty Trust, in a statement. “With all the stress, health risk and economic suffering going on now, no one should have to worry about losing their place to live during this crisis.”
The REBNY pledge comes after a coalition of tenant advocacy groups circulated a petition asking for a moratorium on evictions during the public health crisis.
“New Yorkers are facing loss of income as we are either forced or voluntarily decide to stay home from work to protect our health,” the groups wrote. “As the public is urged to avoid public spaces, small businesses are facing a similar loss of income — a problem made worse by xenophobia against immigrant-owned businesses in particular. Evictions and homelessness significantly worsen the threat posed by COVID-19.”
State Senators Brad Hoylman and Brian Kavanagh had announced Thursday they were introducing legislation to enact a statewide moratorium on evictions and foreclosures during the pandemic.
“No one should ever be put at risk & forced to look for shelter during a public health emergency,” Hoylman tweeted.