landlord coronavirus resources new york

There is no question that the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is having an enormous impact on day-to-day life. As we are called on to “stay home” in order to help prevent the spread of the virus, this raises a lot of questions for landlords.

What rights and responsibilities do landlords have towards tenants, and what recourse do landlords have when tenants are unable to pay their rent?

Table Of Contents For NY Landlords During COVID-19

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is the central information point for COVID-19 Information and Resources for landlords. Their documentation is currently being updated to include the provisions of the new CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security). In relation to real estate, the act includes:

  • A foreclosure moratorium and the right to request forbearance for mortgages backed by the federal government (4022/4023)
  • A suspension on evictions for federally backed mortgages and dwellings that form part of specific federal programs (4024)

For more information, visit:

Department Of Housing And Urban Development’s (HUD) Information And Resources

To find out more about specific resources for the state of New York, continue reading below.

Mortgage Forbearance For Coronavirus In New York

Mortgage Forbearance For Coronavirus In New York

New York State has also announced a suspension on mortgage payments and foreclosures for an initial period of 90 days to help lift the burden associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. The measure was passed via executive order by the governor Andrew Cuomo, but it has restrictions.

The measure only applies to mortgages issued by New York State regulated banking institutions and to residential mortgages only. Commercial mortgages are not included in the deal.

No similar relief has been announced for renters, with the general moratorium on evictions (see below) currently considered sufficient to cover this issue.

For more information, visit:

New York State Department Of Financial Services

Evictions And Nonpayment Due To Coronavirus In New York

In March 2020, Andrew Cuomo, the Governor of New York State, announced a 90-day moratorium on the eviction of all New York tenants, both residential and commercial. This means that no one can be evicted from their residence in New York state until at least 20 June 2020.

Pending eviction proceedings have also been suspended until further notice, again for both residential and commercial properties.

The moratorium does not cancel rent payments, which should be continued to be paid as per the tenancy agreement. Tenants unable to make rent payments are advised to come to an agreement with their landlord and seek assistance from a variety of available programs.

For more information, visit:

State Of New York Unified Court System

Resources For Tenants During Coronavirus In New York State

Resources For Tenants During Coronavirus In New York State

Aside from specific programs that are being launched  designed to help support those who have lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York State’s Human Resources Administration Department can provide specific assistance for rent payments via its One Shot Deal program. The one-off payment is designed to help people who can’t meet their basic expenses, such as rental payments, due to unexpected circumstances.

For residents of New York City, the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants has updated its guidelines to protect tenants in response to the new issues that have emerged as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The New York City Housing Authority is also running a separate rent reduction program for anyone whose income has dropped by more than five percent.

For more information, visit:

New York State Human Resources Administration
New York City Housing Authority
New York City Mayor’s Office To Protect Tenants

Can I Show A Rented Unit In New York State During Coronavirus?

There are currently no specific legal restrictions on the normal movement of renters to new homes within New York State. Moving companies have been deemed an essential service and are allowed to continue operations.

The only restriction on the movement of renters is if a renter refuses to vacate an apartment that has already been assigned to another renter. The moratorium on evictions means they cannot be forced to leave.

Both tenants and landlords have been advised to use common sense and come to individual agreements regarding moves. Suggestions include using month-to-month leases to maintain the status quo throughout the period of the pandemic.

Similarly, there is no legal restriction on landlords showing units, including rented units, in order to procure new tenants. However, this can only be done if it cannot be construed as a threat of eviction to a tenant unable or unwilling to leave the unit.

Landlords are being asked to take all responsible precautions. For example, they should not show units that are occupied by anyone showing potential COVID-19 symptoms, that are occupied by older people, and should ensure that viewers wear face masks and touch as little as possible.

Landlords should also bear in mind that additional cleaning and sanitizing of units will be required when units change hands, following CDC guidelines.

For more information, visit:

Centers For Disease Control And Prevention