UPDATE 7:46 p.m.: Gov. DeSantis issued an executive order extending the suspension on evictions until July 1.
FLORIDA — As June rent comes due for millions of tenants across the state, the governor’s suspension on evictions also comes to an end – set to expire on June 2 at the stroke of midnight.
The pandemic caused record-breaking unemployment in the state, leaving many renters unable to pay their landlords.
An executive order issued by Gov. Ron DeSantis temporarily halted evictions through June 1, but DeSantis so far hasn’t responded to calls from housing advocates to extend that order.
Clerks of courts in some counties stopped processing eviction filings after the governor's order, but others did not, which means once the suspension is lifted, hundreds of Tampa Bay area renters could be slapped with evictions orders and end up homeless in a matter of days.
RELATED: Tenants fight evictions – even after governor’s order
Experts say tenants facing eviction due to the pandemic's financial fallout should try to negotiate a payment plan or settlement with the landlord.
Tenants who were evicted during the suspension period can seek legal help at www.bals.org.
UPDATE 7:46 p.m.: Below is the executive order issued by Gov. DeSantis just minutes after the story aired on ABC Action News.