Landlord's debt spirals out of control after renters refuse to apply for rental assistance
SAN ANTONIO - A local landlord turned to the Trouble Shooters, desperate for help.
The CDC recently extended the moratorium that prevents landlords from evicting tenants who can't pay rent through the end of July. The financial safety net was intended to help Americans through the pandemic, but it has had some unintended consequences.
Local landlord Catherine Esposito said one of her tenants moved out and left her with a $1,900 utility bill and $3,600 in unpaid rent, leaving her on the hook after he lived rent-free for more than six months during the pandemic.
Esposito tried to get him to apply for rent assistance through the Texas Rent Relief program, but said he is unwilling to do his part and doesn't even return her calls.
"I'm trying to hang onto my properties," Esposito said.
Her financial situation has become more dire by the day because she has a renter in the same quadplex she said left her owing $7,200 and a family of five in rental arrears totaling $17,000 in unpaid rent.
Tears streamed down Esposito's face as she explained how unfair it is that tenants are getting a break, while the property owners are going deeper into debt.
In addition to her full time job, she has taken on odd jobs, like mowing lawns, just to pay the bills.
Real Estate Attorney, Todd Taylor said there are ways to evict tenants, even during a moratorium. If a lease is nearing the end, a landlord can choose not to renew, giving the tenant notice to vacate. Lease violations, like intentional damage or unauthorized pets, are also not protected by the moratorium.
Taylor explained that it is possible to evict a non-paying tenant during the moratorium if they are not actively seeking available rental assistance, as was the case with two of Esposito's tenants.
Taylor said the Texas Rent Relief program does take a couple months to process, but if you have the time, it is a good program that benefits both the tenant and the landlord, as long as both are willing to be part of the application process.
Follow April Molina on Facebook or Twitter
SAN ANTONIO - A local landlord turned to the Trouble Shooters, desperate for help.
The CDC recently extended the moratorium that prevents landlords from evicting tenants who can't pay rent through the end of July. The financial safety net was intended to help Americans through the pandemic, but it has had some unintended consequences.
Local landlord Catherine Esposito said one of her tenants moved out and left her with a $1,900 utility bill and $3,600 in unpaid rent, leaving her on the hook after he lived rent-free for more than six months during the pandemic.
Esposito tried to get him to apply for rent assistance through the Texas Rent Relief program, but said he is unwilling to do his part and doesn't even return her calls.
"I'm trying to hang onto my properties," Esposito said.
Her financial situation has become more dire by the day because she has a renter in the same quadplex she said left her owing $7,200 and a family of five in rental arrears totaling $17,000 in unpaid rent.
Tears streamed down Esposito's face as she explained how unfair it is that tenants are getting a break, while the property owners are going deeper into debt.
In addition to her full time job, she has taken on odd jobs, like mowing lawns, just to pay the bills.
Real Estate Attorney, Todd Taylor said there are ways to evict tenants, even during a moratorium. If a lease is nearing the end, a landlord can choose not to renew, giving the tenant notice to vacate. Lease violations, like intentional damage or unauthorized pets, are also not protected by the moratorium.
Taylor explained that it is possible to evict a non-paying tenant during the moratorium if they are not actively seeking available rental assistance, as was the case with two of Esposito's tenants.
Taylor said the Texas Rent Relief program does take a couple months to process, but if you have the time, it is a good program that benefits both the tenant and the landlord, as long as both are willing to be part of the application process.
Follow April Molina on Facebook or Twitter
