BOSTON — Massachusetts eviction cases can begin moving forward on Monday following the expiration of a state moratorium over the weekend. That includes a backlog of eviction cases that were in the system before COVID-19 hit.
Landlords are also free to file new eviction cases. That process begins with a legal document called a ‘notice to quit’ given to the tenant. Housing experts tell Boston 25 News it will likely be at least a month before any new cases are heard in court.
“Because of the cases from January and February that have all been paused, it will be at least four to six weeks, in some courts, maybe two months before any new cases are even scheduled,” said Doug Quattrochi, executive director of Mass. Landlords.
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The majority of those who have fallen behind on rent due to COVID-19 are still protected from eviction under a federal moratorium. However, that federal protection requires an important step that the state moratorium did not.
“You have to make an affirmative declaration. You have to fill out a form and give it your landlord, saying, ‘I can’t pay rent because of COVID-19,’” said Eric Shupin, director of public policy for Citizens Housing and Planning Association.
The required form for the federal moratorium can be found on the CDC’s website. That federal protection lasts through the end of the year.
“The federal moratorium doesn’t protect against all evictions. For example, the thousands of eviction cases that were in the system before COVID hit,” Shupin explained.
Last week, Gov. Charlie Baker announced $171 million in new funds from the state to help renters and landlords. That eviction diversion initiative offers up to $10,000 for people going through a rough patch.
For information on help that’s available from the state, you can call 211.
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