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April 7, 2020

Deleted language hints at commercial tenant eviction moratorium in CT

HBJ Photo | Steve Laschever Gov. Ned Lamont.
By Matt Pilon

Gov. Ned Lamont is weighing additional protections for renters during the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, which could include indefinite restrictions on evictions, including for commercial tenants.

Connecticut state courts have already restricted evictions through May 1, but Lamont, who has been urged by housing advocates to do so, may choose to extend that deadline and expand upon the protections.

Lamont has not made any declarations on the topic yet, but information that was posted on the state’s website, and then suddenly removed after a reporter’s inquiry, outlined more aggressive measures to protect renters. 

The language said “... Governor Lamont has ordered that owners and lessors of residential and commercial properties may not evict or initiate an eviction until thirty days after the end of the public health and civil preparedness emergency. Owners and lessors must withdraw and/or rescind any action initiated since March 10, 2020. The order does not apply to owners of residential property of two units if the owner lives in one unit of the property and the owner believes the tenant is a serious nuisance.”

Such rules would go well beyond what Connecticut has done thus far, but they are not in effect yet, and it’s not clear why the language was posted online and then suddenly taken down.

It’s also not clear whether the language was part of a draft executive order that has not yet been issued, or whether what Lamont ultimately plans to implement will be modified or not.

Lamont spokesman Max Reiss confirmed Monday evening that the administration was working on additional rental protections, but he declined to provide further details.

“The administration has been working on steps to assist renters during this unprecedented public health crisis and our hope is to have those announced before the end of the week,” Reiss said.

A number of cities and states have delayed eviction proceedings due to coronavirus.

Vermont lawmakers are weighing a bill that would postpone evictions for the duration of the COVID-19 crisis, which would be similar to the actions described in the Connecticut FAQ language that was removed.

New York and California are among the states that have implemented the longest eviction moratoriums thus far, until June 20 and May 31, respectively.

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1 Comments

Anonymous
April 8, 2020

Real unintended consequences here. Turns 20% non payers to 60%. Landlords stop paying electric, sewer, taxes... stop fitting out space, stop paying lenders.. Next you would have to stop all foreclosures... the biggest risk to the economy is when a contract is not a contract. If he ever signs this, Lamont would be doing more to push Ct into a depression than the virus.

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