COVID-19 Resources and Information for Owners

Renters Warehouse remains committed to keeping our residents and owners safe and informed as we adapt our business to the realities of COVID-19.

COVID-19 has resulted in major changes and disruptions to the lives and livelihoods of millions, including our owners and residents. To help navigate these changes and resulting financial burden, we have put together this list of resources to help keep our valued clients informed. Up to date information and resources follow, including a breakdown of state level eviction moratoriums that may have an impact on your ability to pursue evictions, charge late fees or terminate tenancies in certain circumstances. If you have unanswered questions or needs, please reach out to us directly at safety@renterswarehouse.com or 1-844-793-4948.

STATE EVICTION MORATORIUMS / LIMITATIONS ON EVICTIONS:

Federal: In breaking news, on August 26, 2021, the Supreme Court effectively invalidated the eviction moratorium enacted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The Supreme Court ruled to vacate a stay on the enforcement of a decision reached by the DC Circuit in a suit filed by the Alabama Association of Realtors et. al.. For all intents and purposes, the CDC moratorium, which otherwise would have been in place until October 3, 2021, has been overruled.

Given the recency of the decision, Renters Warehouse will be working with our trusted local eviction counsel to stay abreast of how the local courts will be altering their processes in light of this overturned moratorium. If your property was previously impacted by the CDC moratorium, please reach out to our team at 1-844-793-4948 to discuss what actions, if any, may be taken based upon this new development.

Notwithstanding the invalidation of the CDC moratorium, the following moratoriums remain in place:

Minnesota: The State of Minnesota legislature previously passed a phaseout of the eviction moratorium. This runs through October 12, 2021. Beginning October 13, all restrictions on lease terminations and eviction actions are lifted except that landlords may not file or proceed with an eviction action against a household that has a pending application with a COVID-19 emergency rental assistance program. For questions regarding eviction or submitting notice in Minnesota, please reach out to safety@renterswarehouse.com.Texas: The State of Texas does not currently have any state-issued moratorium against eviction actions. While there is not a state moratorium, some local municipalities have enacted their own requirements. The City of Austin has extended its local moratorium on evictions for non-payment of rent through October 15, 2021. This moratorium covers, among other things, residents whose rent is less than $2,475.00 per month, with certain exceptions. This moratorium does not preclude evictions for non-rent violations. For questions regarding eviction in Texas or the City of Austin, please reach out to safety@renterswarehouse.com.

Washington: The State of Washington’s moratorium on evictions under Gov. Inslee’s Proclamation 20-19.6 has been allowed to expire. This has been replaced by codified law. This new ruling does have limitations on the issuance of late fees or commencement of evictions for unpaid rent form March 2020 through December 2021. In addition to the statewide phaseout protections, several municipalities have extended their own moratoriums on evictions for unpaid rent including the City of Seattle which runs through January 15, 2022. For questions regarding eviction or submitting notice in Washington, please reach out to safety@renterswarehouse.com.

PREPAREDNESS AND HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

First and foremost, rest assured that Renters Warehouse is ensuring the health and safety of its team members, to ensure our residents, owners and vendors are not put at risk. All Renters Warehouse staff and Rent Estate Advisors take daily health assessments and are provided all necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as masks, disposable gloves, and hand sanitizer, to safely perform their duties while feeling well and exhibiting no COVID-19 symptoms.  

Renters Warehouse also follows the CDC recommendations for quarantining through remote work following air travel, exposure to a person who tested positive for COVID-19, attendance at gatherings, etc.  

OFFICE HOURS AND IN-PERSON MEETINGS

To further do our part to stop the spread, and as advised by the CDC, all of our office locations have a Preparedness Plan established and safety health measures in place. Many of our team members are working remotely and we encourage our residents and owners to utilize our online portals and Center of Excellence at 1-844-793-4948 to handle requests and rent payments without creating unnecessary in-person traffic.  

 Each office location maintains a rent drop box as well, where your residents remain able to drop off rent payments, contact-free, at any time of day.  

If you have an urgent need that requires in-person assistance, please reach out to your local office or our Center of Excellence at 1-844-793-4948 to schedule a date and time for your visit to ensure you are greeted by the appropriate team member. 

MAINTENANCE REQUESTS

As cases trend in the right direction, with some cities and/or states beginning to ease restrictions, Renters Warehouse is committed to working with you and our trusted vendors to timely and efficiently process all maintenance requests, including non-emergency requests, with resident health and safety as a top priority. As always, please continue to submit your maintenance requests through your online portal or by calling our Center of Excellence at 1-844-793-4948.

Our team members will continue to work with an abundance of caution, wearing masks, frequently washing hands or using hand sanitizer, avoiding handshakes, and maintaining at least 6 feet of distance when meeting with clients or spending time inside your home. We have requested the same practices of our trusted vendors and respectfully request that our owners and residents do the same. 

The health and safety of our residents, employees, and vendors is a top priority. When a maintenance request, inspection or other in-person request is received, we are engaging residents to ensure that the occupants are not feeling ill, have been exposed to the virus, or have recently traveled to a high-risk area. If a resident indicates that they are displaying symptoms or have been exposed to the virus, we work directly with them, yourself, and the vendor to determine the safest and most efficient means of ensuring the continued preservation of your asset.

PROPERTY INSPECTIONS

Properly documenting the condition of your asset, whether it be a move in/out inspection or simply a property condition inspection, is of the utmost importance to Renters Warehouse. We have adjusted our processes to make sure that these inspections are conducted as safely as possible for both our employees and your residents. Our team members are taking all safety precautions and, whenever possible, will conduct the inspection independently or via FaceTime or similar technology.

We are actively engaging residents with upcoming inspections and if they have recently been exposed to someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 or are displaying symptoms or asked to quarantine, we are requesting they contact us as soon as possible to coordinate an alternative solution in the most efficient manner possible.

UNPAID RENT: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO RESIDENTS AND LANDLORDS

While much of the media attention during the COVID-19 pandemic has focused on the impacts on residents’ inability to pay rent, we know our valued clients continue to have financial obligations with mortgage payments due, taxes to pay, and maintenance to conduct. Renters Warehouse has compiled a comprehensive list of financial assistance available to residents, noting which assistance programs allow for owners to apply on behalf of their residents. This list of resources is available for you and your residents here.

If there are any questions regarding these resources, please don’t hesitate to contact us at safety@renterswarehouse.com.

And finally, thank you and stay safe.

Renters Warehouse is committed to our residents, clients, vendors and team members. We know how important it is to have a safe place to call home and we strive to serve you in these uncertain times with the highest level of customer service.

 If you have any lingering COVID-19 questions or concerns that are not addressed here, please do not hesitate to reach out by sending an inquiry to safety@renterswarehouse.com, submitting a request via your online portal or calling into our Center of Excellence at 1-844-793-4948.