Silverman Moves Eviction Notice Moratorium Emergency and Temporary Acts
The Eviction Notice Moratorium Emergency Act and the Eviction Notice Moratorium Temporary Act will keep more residents housed safely during the pandemic by eliminating unnecessary moves of fear or moves of misunderstanding caused by receiving an Eviction Notice.
On Tuesday, September 22, 2020, Councilmember Elissa Silverman (I-At-Large) moved The Eviction Notice Moratorium Emergency Act and the Eviction Notice Moratorium Temporary Act to keep more residents housed safely during the pandemic by eliminating unnecessary moves of fear or moves of misunderstanding caused by receiving a Notice to Vacate.
- Eviction Notice Moratorium Emergency Act
- Eviction Notice Moratorium Temporary Act
- Emergency Declaration Resolution
A Notice to Vacate is a standard first step in an eviction process, but currently, evictions are banned in the District. During the eviction ban, Notices to Vacate serve little immediate purpose other than to cause confusion and fear among residents. Clarifying that DC's eviction moratorium includes a moratorium on Notices to Vacate would keep more residents safely housed during the pandemic by eliminating moves triggered by fear, misunderstandings of the law, or language barriers.
This moratorium will last until 60 days after the public health emergency ends, which is the same length as the eviction moratorium. It will not apply to any notices to vacate that were already issued.
These bills are co-introduced by Councilmember Anita Bonds (D-At-Large), Chair of the Housing and Neighborhood Revitalization Committee.
Update, September 22, 2020: The Eviction Notice Moratorium Act was unanimously passed by the Council!