No one in the state of New York will be evicted for not being able to pay their rent due to coronavirus through August 20, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced on Thursday. In March, Cuomo had originally put a moratorium on evictions until June.
“The number one issue that people talk to me about probably is rent, and fear about being able to pay their rent,” he said in his daily coronavirus briefing on Thursday, “and this just takes that issue off the table until August 20.”
New Yorkers also cannot be charged late payment fees, he said. Those who are facing coronavirus-related hardships can use their security deposit as payment, and replenish their deposit over time.
Cuomo added that the state is working on coming up with a plan to aid landlords.
Many on the left have pushed for the governor to cancel rent outright. Activists across the state organized May Day protests on Friday, May 1, calling for rent cancellation during the coronavirus crisis.
Cuomo said that he will reassess the situation in August.
“What’s going to happen on August 20? I can’t tell you,” he said. “Whatever happens, we’ll handle it.”
