SB 278

Requires landlords and courts to delay termination of residential tenancies for nonpayment for 60 days if tenant provides documentation of application for rental assistance.

Bill Text

• A-Engrossed
• Enrolled
• House Amendments to Introduced
• Introduced

Requires landlords and courts to delay residential evictions for 60 days if tenants apply for rental assistance and modifies rent compensation requirements.

Original Bill Text

Overview#

Amends calculation of maximum amount payable by Housing and Community Services Department to landlords from Rent Guarantee Program Fund from per-landlord basis to per-tenant basis.] Requires landlords and courts to delay termination of residential tenancies for nonpayment for 60 days if tenant provides documentation of application for rental assistance. Requires that termination notices and eviction summons include notices regarding opportunity for delay. Requires Judicial Department to translate notice into other languages. Requires providers of public rental assistance to give application receipts to tenants. Sunsets March 1, 2022. Requires Housing and Community Services Department to award grant to third party to compensate landlords for certain delays to termination notices or eviction proceedings under Act. Sunsets March 1, 2023. Requires that department compensate qualified landlords from landlord compensation fund for 100 percent of past-due rent that accrued during COVID-19 emergency period, rather than requiring that landlords forgive 20 percent of unpaid rent. Applies to new and existing applications for compensation. Declares emergency, effective on passage.

Public Testimony

Legislative History