Texas Supreme Court permits evictions and debt collections to resume amid coronavirus
The Texas Supreme Court on Thursday night lifted its pause on eviction and debt collection proceedings, permitting them to resume next week amid the novel coronavirus spread.
Trials, hearings and proceedings for residential evictions may resume Tuesday, May 19, and beginning May 26, warnings may be posted and orders may be issued. In eviction proceedings filed from March 27 through July 25, tenants covered under provisions of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act passed by Congress are exempt.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition launched a searchable database that allows renters to look up if their property is exempt under the federal moratorium.
In March, Tarrant County had suspended eviction proceedings indefinitely, but the order noted that was subject to change following new statewide directives.
The court also issued an emergency order that allows debt collections to resume May 18. It notes that debtors and receivers may request a hearing, either in-person or remote, to determine what funds may be attributable to a stimulus payment under the CARES Act.
The order expires August 12, and both may be extended by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
The Texas Supreme Court had first temporarily halted evictions in late March. Since the start of the pandemic, over 2 million Texans have filed unemployment claims.
Earlier this month, the city of Fort Worth launched a $15.4 million emergency fund to help low- to moderate-income residents with rent, mortgage and utilities. But activists have called on the city to institute a grace period of two to three months to allow tenants to come up with rent after an eviction notice is given.
TIPS FOR RENTERS WHO NEED ASSISTANCE
- Call 817-392-5720 to apply for rental assistance from the city of Fort Worth; call 817-850-7940 for a Tarrant County help line regarding rental and utility assistance.
- A notice to vacate is not an eviction. It begins the process and does not force you to immediately leave your home. An eviction can only be carried out if signed by a court. And if a landlord does not provide a notice to vacate, the landlord may not begin an eviction process.
- For a list of local organizations that assist renters visit: fortworthtexas.gov/rentalproperty/rights/
This story was originally published May 14, 2020 at 7:58 PM.
