MINI THREAD:

Richmond's General District Court has about 1200 evictions scheduled through 6/26. Marty W. with @CVLASRichmond says to "flatten the curve of this eviction tsunami,” tenants must know their rights.
The court opened its doors to non-emergency cases earlier this week. So far, it’s heard 13 evictions — 2 were granted by default of *tenants missing their hearings* -- this is a big one. The rest were either postponed or dismissed.
Other protections include another new VA law capping fees at either 10% of a person’s monthly rent or the total amount owed, a federal eviction moratorium for residents of public and subsidized housing, and for renters living in homes with federally-backed mortgages. BUT...
Marty stressed the importance of tenants 1) knowing about these measures to keep them in their homes — and to 2) BE AT THEIR COURT HEARINGS TO BRING THEM UP.

If someone is unable to attend in person, advocates encourage they reach out to the court to make virtual arrangements.
There's also the city's eviction diversion program...you guys remember that? Well, Marty said it's going to need some reworking bc of #Covid_19

You know the attorneys who act as mediators/work with landlords and tenants on payment plans/an agreement?
Well, they are volunteers. And while people facing eviction and those representing them are obligated to show up -- they are not. Marty said not because they don't want to, but because we are amid a GLOBAL PANDEMIC.

So what next?
According to Marty, this means that these negotiations will need to happen before court, or at later hearings. But that’s *only if* judges ask both sides if they want to participate — or a landlord or renter expresses interest either before or during a hearing.
You can follow @yasm1nejumaa.
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