Guidance For Landlords During Coronavirus – Pennsylvania

Just like Americans across the country, residents of Pennsylvania have been asked to stay at home to help slow the spread of coronavirus and help relieve excessive pressure on the medical system. But in the midst of the economic chaos caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, many Pennsylvanians are asking how they will maintain their homes and their mortgage payments, especially when tenants don’t have the funds to pay their rent.

Here you will find details of both Federal and State guidance on mortgages, evictions, and the resources available at this difficult time.

Table Of Contents For PA Landlords During COVID-19

• Mortgage Forbearance For Coronavirus In Pennsylvania
• Evictions And Nonpayment Due To Coronavirus In Pennsylvania
• Resources For Tenants During Coronavirus In Pennsylvania
• Can I Show A Rented Unit In Pennsylvania During Coronavirus?

To help alleviate the pressure on the property market that is accompanying the economic difficulties associated with COVID-19, the federal government has passed the CARES Act – Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act.

The act relates to all federally backed mortgages. It puts a stay on all evictions from these homes and allows for penalty-free deferrals of mortgage payments for a period of up to one year.

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Mortgage Forbearance For Coronavirus In Pennsylvania

The state of Pennsylvania has not yet passed any specific orders in relation to payments on mortgages backed and managed by the state. Representatives are considering a general mortgage and rent freeze, but nothing official has yet been enacted (at the time of writing). At the moment, the state is relying on mortgage providers to come with their own arrangements with borrowers.

The Attorney General has said that “housing is a human right; we must do everything we can to protect each other during this time.” The government has directed mortgage payers to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for further advice and information.

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission has signed an emergency order prohibiting the termination of utilities including electric, gas, water, and phone for the duration of the COVID-19 disaster.

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Evictions And Nonpayment Due To Coronavirus In Pennsylvania

In the state of Pennsylvania, landlords and mortgage lenders are barred from evicting tenants from foreclosing on properties until the end of April, but this will likely be extended as the COVID-19 crisis continues. The moratorium applies to both residential and commercial properties.

All existing cases have been suspended and no cases have been filed, as courts are generally closed. It is still possible for landlords to assess fees for late rent payments and to prepare new proceedings to be submitted with the courts reopen. However, the Governor-General is encouraging landlords to go above and beyond the letter of the law to help tenants.

The Attorney General has also said that while they do not have the power to control evictions beyond closing the courts, they do have the power to prosecute violations of Pennsylvania consumer protection laws, and threatened that it is not difficult to imagine how these could be used at this time.

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Resources For Tenants During Coronavirus In Pennsylvania

Renters who have lost their income due to COVID-19 can be directed towards unemployment compensation payments, which have been expanded during the pandemic. Among other things, the one week waiting period has been suspended, as have the requirements to look for work to maintain payments. Information about eligibility is available here.

Renters are also being directed to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s federal rental assistance program.

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Can I Show A Rented Unit In Pennsylvania During Coronavirus?

In Pennsylvania, there are no particular restrictions on normal tenant movement during the COVID-19 pandemic. The only consideration is the moratorium on evictions. While this does not bar all showings of rented units, landlords can find themselves in trouble if the showing is construed as a threat of eviction.

Landlords showing rentals need to act responsibly to protect the health and safety of both tenants and viewers. This should include making prudent decisions regarding showing units, based on the health and vulnerability of both the occupant and the viewer, and all social distancing guidelines should be followed during the viewing. Advice on best practice is provided by the CDC.

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