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For Immediate Release:
April 17, 2020
For More Information Contact:
Christina Collins | Council Liaison, District 10
Christina.Collins@dallascityhall.com
Chairman McGough Forwards Committee Recommendation on COVID Landlord-Tenant Notice Ordinance to Mayor
Dallas, Texas – Today, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Adam McGough, Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19 Human and Social Recovery and Assistance, sent Mayor Eric Johnson the recommendation to approve the COVID- Notice Ordinance to help keep impacted tenants in their homes during the COVID-19 crisis. This recommendation was supported unanimously by the Ad Hoc Committee on COVID-19 Human and Social Recovery and Assistance.
McGough, a professional mediator, facilitated an expedited process whereby input was sought from all interested stakeholders. “I am proud of the work we did in such a short amount of time,” said Chairman McGough. “Many engaged in this process and we have reached a recommendation that is exponentially better than where we started. When people work together, even in a pandemic, the outcomes are always better.”
The COVID Notice Ordinance proposed by Chairman McGough would require residential landlords to issue a “COVID Notice of Possible Eviction” that provides tenants information on rental assistance and at least 21 days to negotiate lease payment agreements with landlords. Additionally, if tenants provide proof of financial hardship due to COVID-19, then the proposed ordinance enables tenants to receive up to 60 days prior to facing a Notice to Vacate.
“The ordinance strikes a critical balance – the balance of both protections and incentives for tenants and landlords to negotiate payment plans that promote public safety and well-being for all,” said McGough. “During extraordinary times such as these, we as a Committee took unprecedented actions to help residents affected by this crisis remain housed while weighing the economic impact for business owners and landlords across our City.”
“While this action is a step to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 on our communities, it is only a step. Our real work is only beginning as we face a long road of economic recovery, and I look forward to continuing the fight to ensure Dallas remains a place where people feel safe and business thrives,” continued McGough.
The proposed ordinance explicitly excludes any delays of evictions when there is evidence of abatable criminal activity and does not excuse any requirement for the tenant to pay rent under the agreed-upon lease. The ordinance would only remain in effect in conjunction with the declared disaster declaration and is limited in its application to residential properties.
On April 16, 2020, the Ad Hoc Committee voted unanimously on the COVID Landlord-Tenant Notice Ordinance and recommended passage by the full City Council on the upcoming April 22, 2020 agenda.
View the COVID Landlord-Tenant Notice Ordinance proposed here.
View Recommendation to the Mayor here.
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