UPDATE: 2 News received word that tenants needing protection from eviction under the new moratorium need to fill out a new form proving they're unable to pay rent due to the pandemic.

You can find that form attached below.

 

Original Story: The state's new eviction moratorium is set to start Tuesday morning on December 15. It's expected to have major impacts on not only tenants, but their landlords as well.

During an update on the state's COVID-19 response Sunday night, Governor Sisolak announced that he will be signing another directive placing a moratorium on most residential evictions in Nevada.

"I must reinstate a moratorium to ensure and Nevadans can stay in their homes during this critical phase of the pandemic," said Governor Sisolak.

The governor says that evictions put people at higher risk of contracting COVID-19 as they turn to shelters or crowd into the homes of friends or family.

A recent study by Advisor Smith shows that among rental households in Nevada, over ten percent were at risk of eviction in the next two months, and over 15 percent were behind on payments. https://link.spamstopshere.net/u/39966eaf/FsE4ZfA_6xGT1vwtg-oQLQ?u=https%3A%2F%2Fadvisorsmith.com%2Fdata%2Fstates-where-renters-are-at-highest-risk-of-eviction%2F. 

"When people are evicted, it is impossible to stay home. They are out looking for jobs or housing to desperately save their families, they will spread COVID-19 unintentionally because they have no options," said Governor Sisolak.

This moratorium, which is set to expire on March 31 of next year, comes as a federal moratorium on residential evictions through the CDC is set to expire at the end of the month.

Unfortunately, as the governor said in the meeting, this will put strain on landlords.

"I know I've asked landlords to sacrifice during this pandemic I'm asking you to again do more for a few months so that we can push through what I hope is the last surge of this virus," said Governor Sisolak.

"Most landlords were not prepared to go nine months and now nearly 12 months without rent," said Amy Jones, Executive Director for the Reno Housing Authority.

With help from the Rental Assistance Program through the CARES Act, the Reno Housing Authority has helped pay for over $6.5 million in rent, but that funding is set to expire on December 31.

"We've seen so many as we administer the temporary rental assistance program for Washoe County, that are trying to do everything they can to pay rent, but unfortunately they don't have that income coming in," said Jones. "If this eviction moratorium is going to continue through late March, then there needs to be more money to really support these landlords."

Tony Chinnici with Corazon Property Management says many landlords have stepped up to help, but can only do so much. "About a dozen of our residents have gotten help, either in the form of a large payment to help them catch up on their rent, or to have some monthly rent coming in on their behalf."

"We had some notices in place that are going to go away at this point," said Chinnici, "I think we do need to get that right to evict for non-payment back as quickly as we can, but obviously that is secondary to keeping people safe and alive."

The governor did stress the need for more federal assistance and funding, as the state's 'rainy day fund' has been exhausted.

The moratorium does not cover lease breaches for things like unlawful activities or nuisance.