CDC Orders Temporary Ban on Evictions Across the Country

UPDATE: As of 9/17/2020, the Philadelphia Courts issued Administrative Order 56 of 2020 regarding the implementation of the CDC eviction moratorium. This local order requires the plaintiff in ejectment actions (which include landlord-tenant actions) to include a “Plaintiff’s Affidavit in Connection with The CDC Order and Temporary Halt in Evictions to Prevent further Spread of Covid-19” (“Affidavit”), stating whether or not they have received a Declaration from the tenant under the CDC order. Forms for both the Declaration and the Plaintiff's Affidavit are attached to the order.

In an effort to prevent the further spread of COVID-19, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a temporary nationwide ban on some residential evictions through the end of the year. According to reporting by NPR, the halt on evictions only applies in certain situations, and renters must sign a declaration stating that they are unable to pay their rent and that they meet additional criteria.

For more information on this eviction moratorium, whether it applies to you, and for a blank declaration form, visit www.phillytenant.org. This site also has information on further protections for renters in Philadelphia.

The CDC issued its order under the authority granted to it in Section 361 of the Public Health Service Act, which is codified at 42 U.S.C. § 264 (2018). Also see 42 C.F.R. § 70.2 (2019) for related federal regulations. The CDC order is effective as of today, September 4, 2020, through December 31, 2020.

Keep checking back at www.phillytenant.org for updates.