Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston) expressed concern that landlords have been left behind in today’s passage of “The COVID-19 Emergency Eviction and Foreclosure Prevention Act of 2020” (A.11181). This legislation would prohibit residential evictions for nonpayment until at least May 1 of 2021. Tenants would have to "self-certify" a “hardship declaration” in order to be protected under this bill. Tenants rich and poor may simply check a box to state that they have had a "significant loss of household income" without any requirement to prove it. Hardship claims will be accepted on their face, resulting in landlords not receiving payments.

Late Sunday, the president signed the second federal stimulus package that will provide an additional $1.3 billion in relief for New Yorkers along with direct stimulus payments of $600 per eligible person. The federal package also extends the eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021.

“The bill taken up today in the Assembly gives no protections to the small property owners and landlords who are also struggling during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Walsh. “My Assembly Minority colleagues and I offered three important amendments to the Assembly Majority’s eviction moratorium bill that would offer necessary support to the many landlords who rely on rent payments as their sole source of income. First, we asked that the bill require tenants to apply for any relief they or their landlords may be entitled to and that they make reasonable partial payments to their landlord as circumstance permits. Secondly, we asked that the bill expand protections to small businesses and small landlords. Finally, we wanted to roll back the governor’s powers during the pandemic.”

All three of these amendments were struck down by members of the Assembly Majority. 

“It is disappointing that these common-sense amendments were not given more consideration by our Majority colleagues,” said Walsh. “As we continue to rebuild and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, New York must not only be tough, but smart. We must not duplicate federal efforts, but supplement them only as needed to ensure that tenants, landlords, and small businesses alike are given the opportunity to emerge healthy and intact.”