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The CDC's Federal Eviction Moratorium
Updated June 14, 2021
On September 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) imposed a nationwide
temporary federal moratorium on residential evictions for nonpayment of rent. The stated purpose of the
order was to prevent the further spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), specifically by
preventing homelessness and overcrowded housing conditions resulting from eviction. The action, which
followed an Executive Order directing the CDC to consider such a measure, was unprecedented, both in
terms of the federal reach into what is traditionally state and local governance of landlord-tenant law and
its use of a public health authority. Since the issuance of the order, several courts have addressed
challenges to the CDC's legal authority to issue the eviction moratorium. These courts have issued
conflicting decisions on the eviction moratorium's legality and, while no court has issued an order
enjoining the moratorium's enforcement nationwide, the conflicting judicial rulings have left a cloud of
uncertainty regarding the order's enforceability.
Overview
The CDC eviction moratorium took effect on September 4, 2020, less than two weeks after the expiration
of a narrower set of eviction protections established by the CARES Act (§4024). The original CDC order
had an expiration date of December 31, 2020. Prior to its expiration, it was extended legislatively through
January 31, 2021. The CDC administratively extended the order two additional times, first through March
31, 2021, then again through June 30, 2021.
The CDC's national eviction moratorium applies to all renters who attest to meeting the order's income
and other eligibility criteria. The criteria include having made all efforts to obtain government assistance
for rent and being at risk of homelessness or overcrowded housing conditions upon eviction. Renters must
assert their right to protection under the order by submitting a signed declaration of eligibility to their
landlords (signed declaration). The CDC moratorium does not supersede more protective state and local
government eviction protections.
The moratorium prohibits evictions only for nonpayment of rent and related fees, not other causes, and it
does not prohibit landlords from charging fees or penalties, nor does it forgive unpaid rent amounts.
The CDC eviction moratorium contains several enforcement provisions, including penalties for landlords
that violate the order and a penalty of pejury for tenants who falsely declare their eligibility. On April 19,
2021, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau published a rule requiring debt collectors-which can
Congressional Research Service
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