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THREAD: @GovRonDeSantis's eviction & foreclosure "moratorium extension" could force tenants across the state impacted by #COVID19 to fight in the courts. In Orange County, @NinthCircuitFL is doing the LEAST to protect tenants. What tenants need to know to stay in your home!
See above, an eviction by Tzadik Management, a corporate landlord that received $2-5M in PPP loans, and one of the state leaders in evictions during #COVID19. On page 1, @NinthCircuitFL is telling tenants they MUST deposit w/the clerk the $$$ that the landlord claims is due!
The EO says those who are "adversely affected by the COVID-19 emergency" are protected from the "final action at the conclusion of an eviction proceeding." HOWEVER in order to have access to this protection, you must post the $$ OR file a motion to determine rent, within 5 days.
For some this is 4+ months of rent to have your day in court!! This is current state law (Rep. @AnnaForFlorida & Sen. @VicTorres_FL proposed to repeal). However @GovRonDeSantis could SUSPEND this statute and perhaps MOST IMPORTANTLY IN THIS MOMENT *COURTS CAN PAUSE DEADLINES!*
Here is an article about the bill proposed by Rep. Eskamani & Sen. Torres. https://medium.com/@annavishkaeeeskamani/senator-victor-torres-and-representative-anna-v-776e77134a9d
Again, COURTS CAN PAUSE DEADLINES. However tenants CAN request to have a hearing without posting the dollars due, noted on page 2 of the @NinthCircuitFL summons:
Tenants should contact their Legal Aid Society for support in this process. But you MUST ACT WITHIN 5 DAYS OF RECEIVING THE SUMMONS. https://www.orangecountybar.org/about/legal-aid-society/
If you're unable to get a lawyer to assist in filing a motion to determine rent, our friends at Jacksonville Legal Aid have created this self-help guide:
http://floridaevictionanswerbuilder.org
http://floridaevictionanswerbuilder.org
No one should face eviction due to failure to pay during the #COVID19 pandemic. Hurricane season is here, unemployment benefits delayed & drying out, utility bills soon due & the pandemic isn't going anywhere. Corporate landlords like Tzadik DO NOT need our support. Tenants do.
I cannot imagine getting laid off due to #COVID19, to now have to file a motion to determine rent. To find a lawyer. To fight in court against a corporate landlord. But sadly, that is the reality right now for Orange County residents & Floridians across the state.
. @OrangeCoFL recently announced another effort to support tenants. We await details. While @GovRonDeSantis continues to fail us, @NinthCircuitFL @OrangeClerk @SheriffMina need to protect folks impacted by #COVID19. Mass evictions do not keep ANYONE safe. https://www.bizjournals.com/orlando/news/2020/08/03/orange-county-prepares-program-to-avoid-evictions.html
Mom & pop landlords are suffering too AND there's plenty of money to support them. It's just that corporations & corporate landlords like Tzadik run the show & get all the bailouts.
It's past due we put people over profits and bring balance to tenants & landlords in Florida.
It's past due we put people over profits and bring balance to tenants & landlords in Florida.
In the meantime, tenants impacted may have to face the courts. Hopefully this thread is helpful. I am NOT a lawyer , though know folks doing amazing work who are. If you have any resources please feel free to share.
