Less than a week before its expiration, the governor issued a new time line for the lifting of Nevada's eviction moratorium. Different types of renters will be phased out of the moratorium on different dates.
"We're not the bad guys. you know we have to pay on the other end our mortgages and bills," said landlord Matt Luetza. He wants renters to know that local landlords are sympathetic to those unable to pay their rent, and that they have to pay their mortgages during the pandemic too. "I'm trying to suck it up and pay. But you know I don't know how long that's going to last. I did sign up for forbearance at the start just as a safeguard because I wasn't sure who would pay and who wouldn't," said Luetza.
Nevada's eviction moratorium has allowed renters to stop monthly rent payments since the end of March. Landlords still have to perform upkeep on the apartments though. "I just had to pay a plumber. They were threatening to place a lien on one of my properties. I asked them if give me a little more time cause I'm waiting for my tenants to catch up. and they weren't willing to do that," said Luetza.
The governor's latest directive phases out the provisions. Those who are on expired leases or at-will renters can be evicted starting at 12 AM August 1st, 2020. All other renters have until September 1, 2020. Late fees can't be charged up to August 31,2020. But renters will have to pay off back rent. "You will have to pay the money. We're not asking you to come up with $10,000 tomorrow. But eventually the balance needs to be paid," said Luetza.
The governor recommends renters and landlords work out payment plans. Or use the state's promissory note plan which allows renters to make payments of up to 15% of their back rent monthly, on top of their current rent, until the owed money is paid off. "If people have options its going to help us all," said Luetza. Commercial landlords and lenders are on their own schedule under the new directive.Their moratorium still ends July 1, 2020.
