Coronavirus Update: New Yorkers Facing Financial Hardships 'Can't Be Evicted If You Don't Pay Your Rent'
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork)-- April 1 is right around the corner, and that means rent will be due for many around the New York City area.
Many, like Samantha Silver and her husband, are out of work because of the coronavirus pandemic and are planning for the worst financially. That's why they've already contacted their landlord about rent for April.
Silver told CBS2's Natalie Duddridge she's asked her landlord about a reduced rent rate until her unemployment money comes in.
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Silver's predicament is similar to one that many New Yorkers are facing right now, and that's why housing expert and the editor of Curbed NY Amy Plitt has been getting many questions about a rent freeze.
"You can't be evicted if you don't pay your rent at this point. There's an eviction moratorium," Plitt said. "There are various pieces of legislation that are ... being debated ... at the state level to either get a rent freeze or a suspension for tenants."
Another dilemma that some New York residents are dealing with is the end of apartment leases. Ian Peters is a real estate agent on the Upper East Side, but he is a Canadian citizen and is not allowed back in the country at the moment.
"My lease ends in my New York City apartment in a month, end of April. I have no clue when borders will reopen and allow me, a Canadian citizen, to get back into New York and deal with this stuff," said Peters. "Two of my moving vendors I spoke to this week, they don't want to move, they don't want to be in anybody's apartment."
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Housing experts recommend talking to landlords about a month-to-month rent payment until the COVID-19 pandemic eases up. While some buildings are allowing residents to move out and bring in movers, others are not acquiescing to the needs of its tenants.
"It is unfortunately on a building-by-building basis, because under the PAUSE order that Governor Cuomo signed, movers are still considered essential," said Plitt. "However, the problem that comes into play if your landlord doesn't want you to leave or ... because they're afraid of COVID-19 getting into the building."
PHOTO GALLERY: Life In New York City Under The Coronavirus
Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should alert their landlord or building manager, so they can take proper precautions.
