How Did COVID Change Landlord-Tenant Laws

Published on: 24 September 2021 Last Updated on: 13 January 2025

The COVID-19 pandemic did a number on every industry across the globe. Even the real estate sector, well known for its relative stability, was not immune to its effects. In some instances, the battle was between lives and livelihood as many tenants lost their jobs. And with it, the ability to pay their bills, including their rent. These unfortunate circumstances necessitated changes to the usual landlord-tenant laws practically overnight.

Due to these changes, landlords have had to suspend their home renovation plans to fully grasp these new laws and avoid legal suits. Read on for an overview of how exactly COVID changed landlord-tenant rules.

Rent suspension

One of the most impactful changes to the landlord-tenant laws is rent suspensions. In the heat of the pandemic, the government was forced to suspend rent collection in specific locations and for particular demographics, as the lockdown dealt many citizens a heavy financial blow. Of course, this decision pushed most of the weight onto the landlords who could not rely on getting their regular passive income.

But in August 2020, the external control of rent was partially lifted, allowing landlords to charge full rent and increase it. However, this comes with the condition that COVID-19 has not heavily impacted your tenants. So, for the most part, limits on rent increases are still in place.

Rent arrears

Rent arrears refers to the unpaid rent a tenant owes their landlord. Under normal circumstances, property owners reserve the right to evict an occupant who doesn’t comply with their payments, but such laws were suspended amid the pandemic. Policies such as the COVID-19 Tenant Relief Act of 2020 were set up to protect tenants from losing their homes.

Following the signing of that Act in February 2021, it became illegal for landlords in California to evict renters with longer than 12 months’ tenancy. So rather than issue eviction requests, landlords owed rent, or the tenants themselves need to seek relocation assistance payments from relief bodies.

Dispute resolutions

The sudden changes to landlord-tenant laws in the wake of the coronavirus make disputes inevitable. Despite the effort of government policies to protect both parties, there are still a lot of grey areas that leave room for conflict and require mediation.

However, to curb the spread of COVID-19, the suspension of the routine procedure has left people confused about where to bear their grievances. If you’re a landlord having trouble with your tenant, you may appeal at court where an adjudicator will deliberate over your case and try to help you reach an amicable decision.

If the mediator cannot help you get a consensus, you may take up the case to a hearing by a 3-person Tenancy Tribunal. Many of these adjudications and hearings take place over the phone or virtually, so you may not have to leave the safety of your house.

Protection for landlords

It’s clear to anyone that real estate policies often defer to the side of the tenant. But that doesn’t mean the law has left all landlords in the cold. After all, COVID-19 marked everyone, so there are laws to protect landlords from going bankrupt. Despite the policies pushing rent suspensions and eviction bans, the landlord can take steps to refute their tenant’s protection under these laws based on certain conditions.

You’ll have to go through the trouble of filing an eviction notice, which will receive approval if:

The tenant still owes rent as of August 2021

The tenant violated their landlord-tenant agreement.

The tenant did not seek relief assistance after you issued a rent arrears warning notice.

The withholding of rent would cause the landlord undue financial hardship

How do Landlords protect themselves?

Familiarize yourself with the current laws

As a landlord, the best way to protect yourself from a lawsuit or other legal pitfalls is to familiarize yourself with the current landlord-tenant laws. Of course, keeping up with both national and state laws can be a challenging task. The effort could save you more trouble in the future. Alternatively, to err on the side of caution, you should contact an expert before taking any legal steps.

Seek external aid for your tenants

Most investors are in real estate for the money. Still, it’s essential to remember to be kind. Everyone is having a tough time because of COVID, and it’s more likely your tenant genuinely can’t meet up with the rent because of financial constraints rather than harboring their money out of malice. Extend a fig leaf by offering a more flexible payment scheme or helping them look for rent relief programs that can assist.

Seek external aid for yourself

Alternatively, you can also look out for your interests by seeking external aid for homeowners. Banks and other lending institutions are also offering handouts during this trying period in the way of waiving late fees or offering refinancing options for your mortgage. There are also a few tax breaks and deductions applicable to landlords to make up for the rent freezes and eviction moratoriums.

Keep your records

Since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issue to stop evictions expired in August 2021, there have been evictions in large numbers in many states. Despite this trend, policies and legal aids to protect tenants are still in place. So if you’re bent on removing an occupant from your property, ensure you have all written records of your correspondence with the tenant. These documents serve as proof you did your due diligence and may absolve you from a potential suit.

Conclusion

If you’re a landlord finding it hard to keep up with the recent changes to landlord-tenant laws, you’re not alone. Still, rather than remaining aloof, you could contact a professional who understands the rental market more than you do. Hiring an experienced property manager could be an excellent investment, as they can steer you away from hefty fines and lawsuits. They can also help maximize your rental property’s income as you weather through the effects of COVID.

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Vehicle accidents can negatively impact households. Injuries to drivers, passengers, or pedestrians due to road accidents are common in Waukegan, Chicago. But, do you know how to lodge a compensation claim when you are a victim of another person's negligence? However, no need to worry, as this read will give you steps you can follow to ensure you are successful in the lawsuit. If you are in an accident and have injuries, you will spend money on medical bills to recover from the ordeal. Probably, you will not be in the right state to work or earn. Still, it will be challenging to undertake a lawsuit yourself. It is why you need a Waukegan Car Accident Lawyer to help you with the claims. You will need professional assistance since proving that the defendant is liable for the accident can be challenging. Here are the steps to follow when you want to file a car accident claim in Waukegan; i. Understand the Law It is critical to understand Waukegan's law surrounding car accidents and personal injury before suing another party. Since legislation can be extensive and complex to understand, you must consult an attorney to know your options. In addition, you have limited time to file a lawsuit, or the claims become invalid. An accident lawyer in Waukegan understands the law, and you can take advantage of their expertise. It would be best to consult an attorney with previous experience in a similar case to yours. The legal expert can help you understand the provisions and the process of undertaking a lawsuit in your region. Having law experts on your side will ensure you build a strong case and get fair compensation for the claims. ii. Case Building The most critical aspect of a car accident claims lawsuit is proving the other party's liability in the ordeal. A judge will consider submissions from all parties in the case to give a judgment. So, it is vital to build a solid case for your claims. An attorney will ask you questions about the incident, and it would help to be honest with them. They represent your interests, and you should be detailed about the accident. The case building entails getting the evidence to support the claims. It includes pictures or videos from the accident, police reports, witness accounts, and medical documents. On the other hand, an accident attorney will look for misconduct and negligence to show that the other party is liable. Also, they need to show the extent of harm resulting from the accident. iii. The Lawsuit After creating a draft for the lawsuit, a lawyer will submit the document to the court on your behalf. It includes details about the accident, the claims, and compensation. A case can go for a full trial, or the parties can agree to settle out of court. Conclusion It is critical to follow the correct procedures for filing a car accident lawsuit. A qualified lawyer will assist you throughout the process to ensure success. Read Also: Questions To Ask Your Fort Worth Car Accident Lawyer Is It Possible To Get A Settlement From A Car Accident Without A Lawyer?

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It is imperative that you can hold your own against other people in a physical altercation. Taking some time to focus on your physical fitness before you become a police officer is a critical element of a long and successful career. There are a variety of exercises you should do to prepare to be a law enforcement officer and to maintain your fitness level once you are part of the force. One of the most important of these is running, which is often an explicit requirement of the physical ability test (PAT) that must be passed before you can enter the police academy. You should be able to run at least a mile and a half, though the specific distance varies from precinct to precinct. Other common exercises include push-ups, sit-ups, and agility. In addition to all of the above, officers must be prepared to climb over fences or other barriers when chasing a suspect. This portion of the PAT is known as the ‘barrier surmount’ and requires you to sprint 50 feet before climbing over a barrier at least six feet in height. The best way to prepare is to practice on an actual six-foot wall. The goal is to pull yourself up to the top of the wall and swing the rest of your body over as smoothly as possible. Plenty of push-ups to strengthen your arms and sit-ups to strengthen your core are recommended as you train your body to overcome barriers easily. 3. Get the right education You might not think that a college education is a requirement for police work, but it comes in surprisingly handy. If you acquire knowledge of the important moments in the history of law enforcement, then you will have a better understanding of the inner workings of the system. Once you understand how the system works, you can work within it to effect justice. This makes you a better police officer. With the above in mind, why not consider a Bachelor of Policing? 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Assume that you are being recorded In the past, law enforcement officers have been able to do their jobs without too much of a public spectacle. This is rapidly changing as technology becomes a more common part of life. A decade ago, it would have been very difficult to record a crystal-clear video with excellent audio and visual quality on your phone. Today, however, this is something that even cheaper phones on the market can do. Assume that you are always being recorded whether you see a camera or not. Choose your words and actions carefully, and make sure that you are sticking to the letter of the law and behaving in a manner that wouldn’t embarrass you in a court of law. This is another area where ethics and integrity are important, as both characteristics can help guide your behavior and ensure that it is beyond question. Whether you are in the heat of a particularly difficult moment or are clear-headed and calm, your every move might be recorded in HD and used against you in the court of public opinion. Do your best to be a shining example of a law enforcement officer. 6. Take a financial planning class Police work isn’t a job that everyone continues to do into old age. It is an incredibly demanding one, both physically and mentally, and the struggles and skirmishes can take their toll over time. This means that you can really only count on a steady income while you are actively working, which might not be nearly as long as you would in other careers. Many police officers have retired only to begin new careers because they didn’t save their money while they were earning it or understand how to retain it once their career ended. A financial planning class can help ensure that this reality is not one you face. Register for a college-level personal finance class to learn how to manage your wealth, including how to obtain and retain it. This will give you the best chance possible to enjoy your twilight years after a hard career as a law enforcement officer. 7. Value your relationships outside of work Trauma and stress can build relationships quickly, but they can also destroy them just as easily as they were formed. Many police officers form fast friendships with their fellow officers and serve as moral support during the ups and downs of their careers. This is not necessarily a bad thing, and it is a natural consequence of the stressful nature of the job. However, sometimes these friendships come at the price of personal relationships outside of work. The same experiences that build in-work friendships can easily destroy out-of-work friendships if you aren’t careful. Consider maintaining your friendships and relationships beyond your workplace for a few different reasons. 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After all, if you aren’t taking care of your relationships and loved ones outside of work, why should they trust you to put other people first while you are on duty? Not every relationship is destined to last, and, of course, you shouldn’t be expected to be perfect. Everyone is human. However, when you can behave honorably to your loved ones, take it. Go out of your way to do the right thing even when you aren’t being paid to do so. Many law enforcement officers have had their dirty laundry dragged in public, and it’s not a pleasant experience for anyone involved. Certain issues could easily ruin your professional life and career if they become public. Remember that public trust is the most important tool that police officers have to keep the peace and maintain their authority. Once you break it, your job becomes a lot more difficult and a lot less effective. 10. Be humble Being a law enforcement officer is an important job with quite a bit of responsibility. It is easy to let that power go to your head and think of yourself as better than the people around you. Do not become one of those police officers. Even though you will be held to higher standards than many civilians, you are not inherently more important than any of them. Do your job just like everyone else. Be a benefit to the community by being approachable, non-judgmental, and even considerate of the people around you. It costs you nothing to be polite and treat everyone with dignity and respect, but you stand to lose quite a bit if you do the opposite. For your reputation and career, not to mention the well-being of the people around you, stay humble. Are you ready to pursue a career as a law enforcement officer? The job isn’t easy, but it is an incredibly important one to the fabric of society. Your choices in the line of duty have the potential to affect entire communities, so take your time to learn everything you can before you start working. Keep our tips in mind as you embark upon this journey and good luck in your travels! Additionals: What To Look For When Researching A Criminal Lawyer? Picking the Right Law Firm for You and Your Family The Basics of Criminal Appeals Law

What You Need to Know About Medical Malpractice

There is a certain standard of care expected when a medical professional is tending to your ailments – but what happens when that standard is not met or completely strayed from, resulting in further personal injury or harm? Medical malpractice is often cited as one of the top causes of death in the United States and is also a situation that can be nuanced and require much work to garner a positive outcome for those who are victim to it. Knowing what this term entails and how it applies to your situation – as well as enlisting professional help – may make the journey easier. Many people make the mistake of going at it alone. In other words, they feel that getting to the bottom of a medical malpractice lawsuit can be a simple DIY exercise. Not quite. If you are not working with top legal experts that have extensive experience in taking million-dollar medical institutions to court, you are not going to get the compensation you are looking for. Make sure to work with the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C. if you are looking for a trained and qualified attorney that can help you with your medical negligence case. What is medical malpractice, and have I been a victim of it? The basic definition of medical malpractice is when a medical or health care professional deviates from the professional standards of care, thus providing inadequate care for the patient. Standard of care is a legal term seen as the proper amount of care given among similarly qualified practitioners under the same or similar circumstances. Breach of this care must be proven in medical malpractice and can be seen in various forms such as: Misdiagnosis or failure to diagnose Errors in prescribing drugs Misreading of lab results Intentional harm Injuries resulting from negligence Lack of follow-up care What should you do when you suspect you may have a case? An important part of filing a medical malpractice claim is gathering evidence in order to prove the medical professional’s breach of standard care was the direct cause of your injuries. This evidence can come in the form of witness testimony, establishing the doctor-patient relationship, proof of damages caused by the injury, and proof of how the practitioner’s actions were the cause of harm. Request medical records from your provider, begin to keep notes on your health and any incidents or outcomes related to your injury and contact an established medical malpractice lawyer to help navigate things. Understanding your case and how to move forward The process of medical malpractice can be complex, so you’ll want a professional on your side. A lawyer who specializes in this can review all aspects of your case to determine if it’s actionable and take the proper steps to ensure all paperwork and evidence are readily available to file a claim within your state’s statutes of limitation. Each state handles and defines medical malpractice differently, so having someone who is well-versed in it on your side is an advantage. When the breach of standard care occurs and is documented, you can file for damages such as medical expenses, pain, and suffering, emotional distress, or loss of wages, to name a few. A lawyer will help determine the best course of action for you. According to a 2020 Journal of the American Medical Association study, approximately 2% of those suffering from medical malpractice file claims for compensation- and even fewer receive the compensation they deserve. Understanding the why and the how of medical malpractice is the first step to healing and setting things right when you’ve been wronged. Don't forget to go through our exclusive discussion on medical malpractice problems in Miami. Read Also: Frequently Asked Questions about Personal Injury Cases Tips To Choose The Best Lawyer In Your Country How Cutting Edge Technology is Helping Dubai Improve its Healthcare Services

How Did COVID Change Landlord-Tenant Laws

Rent suspension

Rent arrears

Dispute resolutions

Protection for landlords

How do Landlords protect themselves?