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Gov. DeSantis' halt on evictions for Florida tenants expires

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Posted at 5:47 PM, Sep 30, 2020
and last updated 2020-10-01 17:29:25-04

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Governor Ron DeSantis' executive order on suspending evictions for Florida tenants will expire on Thursday.

The order's expiration comes as many Floridians feared getting kicked out of their homes.

Back in late August, Gov. DeSantis extended Executive Order 20-180, which halted evictions for Floridians, until 12:01 a.m. on October 1. Executive Order 20-180 marked the fifth time Gov. DeSantis extended the eviction ban.

The state's eviction relief is set to expire so there is no confusion over whether the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) eviction order should apply.

The CDC enacted a nationwide order that provides federal eviction relief to people who submitted a valid declaration to their landlord regarding rent.

That CDC order is expected to expire on December 31, unless it is extended.

The pandemic caused record-breaking unemployment in the state, leaving many renters unable to pay their landlords.

Clerks of courts in some counties stopped processing eviction filings after the governor's order, but others did not. Prior to the extension, many feared getting slapped with eviction orders and
ending up homeless in a matter of days.

RELATED: Tenants fight evictions – even after governor’s order

Below is the executive order signed by Gov. DeSantis:

But for future reference for Florida tenants, 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.