Federal CDC Eviction Moratorium EXTENDED
On August 3, 2021 the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has extended its federal eviction moratorium through October 3, 2021 for communities experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases—which includes Philadelphia. In order to qualify under this moratorium tenants must sign the CDC Eviction Protection Declaration Form. For more information visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/covid-eviction-declaration.html.
Protections in Place
Under the Emergency Housing Protection Act (Section 9-809 of the Philadelphia Code), tenants experiencing a COVID-19 financial hardship may be entitled to protections including waiver of late fees, participation in the eviction diversion program and a payment plan for unpaid rents. Tenants wishing to assert these rights should submit a Certification of Hardship to their landlords.”
As of April 1, 2021, no landlord may file a Landlord Tenant Complaint seeking possession based on non-payment of rent owed prior to the date of filing until 45 days after they have first completed an application with the PHL Rent Assist Program through www.phlrentassist.org. Upon completing the application, the landlord will be automatically enrolled in the Eviction Diversion Program as well. It will be a dispositive affirmative defense for any tenant to show that the landlord did not pursue either rental assistance or eviction diversion through the City of Philadelphia Programs timely or in good faith.