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Cuomo signs executive order extending moratorium on COVID-19-related commercial evictions until Sept. 20

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Thu, Aug 20th 2020 02:40 pm

Builds on governor's actions to protect both residential and commercial tenants from eviction and late rent fees amid pandemic

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Thursday signed an executive order extending the state's moratorium on COVID-19-related commercial evictions and foreclosures an additional month, until Sept. 20. This measure extends protections already in place for commercial tenants and mortgagors in recognition of the financial toll the pandemic has taken on business owners, including retail establishments and restaurants. A press release said, “The extension of this protection gives commercial tenants and mortgagors additional time to get back on their feet and catch up on rent or renegotiate their leasing terms to avoid eviction proceedings and foreclosures moving forward.”

Cuomo said, "While we have made great progress in keeping New York's infection rate low, this pandemic is not over and, as we continue to fight the virus, we are continuing to protect New York businesses and residential tenants who face financial hardship due to COVID. I am extending the state's moratorium on commercial evictions to ensure business owners across New York will not be forced to close as a result of the pandemic."

The governor first announced a state moratorium on residential and commercial evictions on March 20 to ensure no tenant was evicted during the height of the public health emergency. The commercial eviction and foreclosure moratorium was extended through Aug. 20 by executive order, and Cuomo signed the Tenant Safe Harbor Act and additional legislation to protect residential renters and homeowners from foreclosure or eviction due to a COVID-19 financial hardship. He also ordered additional protection for residential renters from charges for late payment of rent and allowing tenants to use security deposits to pay rent for residential tenants.

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