DeSantis extends moratorium on foreclosures and evictions

In a move to prevent home foreclosures and evictions as the nationwide shutdown continues as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) has extended the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures until October 1.

 Executive Order 20-211, which was released Monday evening, makes limited changes to the previous executive edict.

Here is what stays from the previous executive order:

• A property owner may initiate a mortgage foreclosure or eviction process in any situation allowed under existing Florida statutes. The Executive Order only halts the final action of certain foreclosures and evictions.
• The protections of halting final action for certain foreclosures and evictions are only for persons affected by the COVID-19 emergency. The Executive Order does not cover tenants whose lease expires or when non-payment occurs due to reasons other than the COVID-19 emergency.
• The Executive Order applies only to residential tenants, not to commercial evictions.

Landlords around the state have filed hundreds of evictions notices, but until the moratorium is allowed to completely expire, tenants will not be forced to move.