BOSTON – On Tuesday, July 21, Governor Baker announced a 60-day extension of the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures, which was set to expire on Tuesday, August 18. This extension will run through the fall and is now set to expire on Saturday, October 17.
The moratorium suspends most residential and small business commercial evictions, as well as residential foreclosures. Specifically, this extension prevents landlords from threatening eviction, limits court actions on non-essential evictions, and relieves tenants from their obligation to pay late fees.
Additionally, this extension addresses the needs of homeowners by requiring lenders to grant a forbearance for up to 180 days if a homeowner has experienced financial hardship due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It will also allow for alternative payment agreements between lenders and borrowers for forbearance payments.
This decision by the Administration is part of a continued, collaborative effort with the House and Senate, to support housing stability and security for all residents of the Commonwealth. While the moratorium continues, landlords and renters are encouraged to seek assistance, if needed, through the $20 million statewide Emergency Rental and Mortgage Assistance (ERMA) program launched on July 1.
The ERMA program assists low-income households facing difficulty making rent and mortgage payments and is run by the eleven agencies which administer the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition (RAFT) funding.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has created significant financial hardships for many residents of our community,” said Representative Danielle W. Gregoire, (D-Marlborough), House Chair of the Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight. “I am grateful that this Administration heard the concerns of my colleagues and me, as well as the many stakeholders who have contributed to this conversation, and extended the eviction and foreclosure moratorium.”