Maryland Attorney General Consumer Alert Consumer Alert – CDC Extends Protections for Residential Tenants Facing Eviction in Communities with Substantial or High Levels of COVID-19 Transmission

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Consumer Alert – CDC Extends Protections for Residential Tenants Facing Eviction in Communities with Substantial or High Levels of COVID-19 Transmission

 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a new order temporarily halting residential evictions in certain counties due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases and the rise of the Delta variant. The CDC’s new order is scheduled to expire on October 3, 2021, providing some targeted and limited protections that will extend beyond those contained in the Maryland Executive Order limiting residential evictions for non-payment of rent, which is set to expire on August 15, 2021. A previous order from the CDC preventing evictions expired on July 31, 2021.

Because residential evictions can result in homelessness and an increase in shared living spaces, which in turn puts individuals at higher risk for contracting COVID-19, the new CDC order specifically targets counties that currently have a substantial or high level of community transmission. Although a majority of Maryland counties and Baltimore City currently meet this benchmark, not all do, meaning that the CDC’s order will not apply to all Marylanders facing eviction. And because the applicability of the order is tied to community transmission levels, it is possible that who is covered by the order could change over time.

If you are a tenant who is currently behind on your rent, there are resources available to help you avoid eviction. Most of these resources, however, are available only while you are still living in your rental home, so if you are or may be facing eviction, it is extremely important that you seek help before simply moving out.

For example, you may qualify for rental assistance, which is funding that is available to tenants and landlords to help cover rent and other housing costs that are already owed and/or will be owed. To find your local rental assistance program, visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s Help for Renters website.

You may also have a legal defense to eviction either under the CDC order, the Governor’s Executive Order, or some other legal protection. There are several free and low-cost legal assistance organizations throughout the State that may be able to provide you with legal advice and/or representation if you qualify for their services. This alert contains contact information for those organizations listed by county. If you plan on representing yourself in court, the Maryland Court Self-Help Center may be able to help you prepare your case. You can call 410-260-1392, visit the Help Center’s website, or visit one of the walk-in District Court Help Centers located across the State. More general information about eviction cases is also available on the Maryland Courts’ website.

Finally, if you receive a notice of a court hearing, it is important that you appear on the date and time listed. This is your only opportunity to present any evidence or defend yourself against the eviction. If you fail to respond to the court or appear for court hearings, it is unlikely that you will be able to take advantage of the resources described above, and you will be at substantial risk of eviction.

 

Nonprofit Legal Services Organizations

These organizations may be able to provide legal advice or representation for tenants

Allegany County Allegany Law Foundation 301-722-3390 alleganylaw.com Maryland Legal Aid 301-777-7474 mdlab.org   Anne Arundel County Community Legal Services 240-391-6370 clspgc.org   Maryland Legal Aid 410-972-2700 mdlab.org   Baltimore City Disability Rights Maryland (If eviction is related to disability) 410-727-6352 disabilityrightsmd.org   Homeless Persons Representation Project (Public/Subsidized Housing) 410-685-6859 hprplaw.org   Maryland Legal Aid 410-972-7750 mdlab.org   Pro Bono Resource Center 443-703-3053 probonomd.org   Public Justice Center 410-625-9409 publicjustice.org   St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center 410-366-8550 x249 stambros.org

Baltimore County Maryland Legal Aid 410-427-1800 mdlab.org Pro Bono Resource Center 443-703-3053 probonomd.org   St. Ambrose Housing Aid Center 410-366-8550 x249 stambros.org   Caroline County Maryland Legal Aid 410-763-9676 mdlab.org   Mid-Shore Pro Bono 410-690-8128 midshoreprobono.org   Carroll County Maryland Legal Aid 301-694-7414 mdlab.org   Calvert County Maryland Legal Aid 301-932-6661 mdlab.org   Cecil County Maryland Legal Aid 410-836-8202 mdlab.org   Charles County Maryland Legal Aid 301-932-6661 mdlab.org   Dorchester County Maryland Legal Aid 410-546-5511 mdlab.org   Mid-Shore Pro Bono 410-690-8128 midshoreprobono.org

Frederick County Maryland Legal Aid 301-694-7414 mdlab.org   Garrett County Maryland Legal Aid 301-777-7474 mdlab.org   Harford County Maryland Legal Aid 410-836-8202 mdlab.org   Howard County Maryland Legal Aid 410-972-2700 mdlab.org   Kent County Maryland Legal Aid 410-763-9676 mdlab.org   Mid-Shore Pro Bono 410-690-8128 midshoreprobono.org   Montgomery County Maryland Legal Aid 240-314-0373 mdlab.org   Montgomery County Bar Foundation 301-424-7651 barmont.org   Prince George’s County Community Legal Services 240-391-6370 clspgc.org   Maryland Legal Aid 301-560-2100 mdlab.org

Queen Anne’s County Maryland Legal Aid 410-763-9676 mdlab.org   Mid-Shore Pro Bono 410-690-8128 midshoreprobono.org   St. Mary’s County Maryland Legal Aid 301-932-6661 mdlab.org   Somerset County Maryland Legal Aid 410-546-5511 mdlab.org   Talbot County Maryland Legal Aid 410-763-9676 mdlab.org   Mid-Shore Pro Bono 410-690-8128 midshoreprobono.org   Washington County Maryland Legal Aid 301-694-7414 mdlab.org   Wicomico County Maryland Legal Aid 410-546-5511 mdlab.org   Mid-Shore Pro Bono 410-690-8128 midshoreprobono.org   Worcester County Maryland Legal Aid 410-546-5511 mdlab.org