Rent Relief On The Way

April 11, 2020

With everything going on, you should not need to worry about being evicted or struggling to put together money for rent if you are out of work because of the COVID-19 crisis.

At my urging, Governor Lamont issued Executive Order 7X Friday to provide some relief to renters.

  • All landlords are prohibited from issuing a notice to quit or beginning eviction proceedings before July 1, 2020
  • For rent due in April 2020, landlords must grant tenants an automatic, 60-day grace period for payment, instead of the existing 9-day grace period
  • For rent due in May 2020, landlords must grant a 60-day grace period for payment upon the request of tenants
    • A tenant must to notify the landlord that they have lost a job, lost hours, or otherwise lost revenue or faced significant increased expenses as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
  • If a tenant has a paid security deposit of more than one month’s rent, the tenant can apply all or part of that excess to April, May, or June rent

In addition to providing relief for renters, Executive Order 7X enacts the following provisions:

  • Continues school closures until May 20, 2020
  • Extends closures, distancing, and safety measures through May 20, 2020
  • Defers educator certification testing
  • Permits food trucks to operate at rest areas

Read the full executive order here, and the press release here.

There have been an additional 754 confirmed cases in Connecticut. Connecticut's total number of confirmed cases has reached 10,538. Click the image below for a county-by-county breakdown of cases and for data by age group, gender, race, and more. 

The Governor also released a list of nursing homes with confirmed COVID-19 cases. Click here to read that list and his daily news briefing.

Watch the Governor's daily briefings here. You can find all of the emergency orders issued by the Governor and state agencies here, and the governor's news updates here.

For the most up-to-date information from the State of Connecticut on COVID-19, including an FAQ and other guidance and resources, visit ct.gov/coronavirus.

Today at 11 a.m. I will be holding a Facebook Live Community Conversation on my Facebook page. I hope you will tune in!

Property Tax Relief

Earlier this week the Governor signed Executive Order 7S to allow two options for property tax relief for residents. 

The first option allows no interest for deferral of property tax payments. The deadline would be deferred, not the tax. 

The second option would allow landlords to provide relief for tenants through a low interest rate program. 

The Office of Policy and Management has issued guidance for these programs here. 

Towns will need to vote to implement either or both of these programs and certify that to OPM by April 25. I encourage you to speak with your municipal leaders about the program that will help you the most.

Property tax payers will then need to complete an application for relief. Residents, businesses and landlords are eligible to participate, however landlords will be required to certify they offered relief to tenants in order to participate.

Valley Frontline Nonprofits Can Apply for Grant Funding

Valley Nonprofits can apply to the Valley Community COVID-19 Response and Recovery Fund. The deadline is Wednesday, April 15 at 12 p.m. 

The first round of funding will award grants ranging in amounts from $1,000 to $5,000. 

Click here to read more about the program in the Valley Independent Sentinel.