How Governor’s Statewide Stay at Home Order Impacts AOBA Members
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On March 30, Virginia Governor Ralph Northam issued a statewide Stay at Home order directing all Virginians to stay home except in extremely limited circumstances in order to mitigate the spread of COVID-19. The order is effective immediately and will remain in place until June 10, 2020 unless rescinded by further executive order.
Provisions of last week’s Executive Order 53 remain in effect. AOBA member companies may continue to operate and perform essential property management and construction functions. However, professional businesses such as property management companies are to utilize telework as much as possible and adhere to social distancing recommendations and enhanced sanitizing procedures in accordance with CDC, OSHA and Virginia Department of Labor and Industry guidelines. Enforcement will be stepped up and businesses that fail to comply with the order may be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor.
Under the terms of the order, individuals are allowed to leave their residence for certain travel, including to seek medical attention, work, care for family or household members, obtain goods and services like groceries, prescriptions, and engage in outdoor activity with strict social distancing requirements. This builds upon last week’s order in which the Governor declared the closure of certain non-essential businesses and banned all gatherings of more than 10 people.
Click here for the full text of the Governor’s order.
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The State of Virginia and local Northern Virginia jurisdictions are exercising an abundance of caution and taking significant steps to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus). Today, Governor Ralph Northam announced additional steps to help Virginians impacted by the spread of the virus in the Commonwealth. Below, please find information on closures and policy changes, including the temporarily suspension of evictions, undertaken at the State and local level in response to coronavirus.
Evictions: Governor Northam announced a statewide suspension for all non-essential, non-emergency court proceedings in all district and circuit courts absent a specific exemption from Monday, March 16 through Monday, April 6. This includes a prohibition on new eviction cases for tenants who are unable to pay rent as a result of COVID-19. All non-exempted court deadlines are tolled and extended for a period of 21 days.
Utilities: The State Corporation Commission (SCC) issued an order directing utility companies in Virginia, including electric, natural gas, and water, to suspend service disconnections for 60 days to provide immediate relief for any customer, residential and business, who may be financially impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Rental Assistance: The City of Alexandria has issued a list of voluntary suggestions that multifamily rental properties may take to assist tenants who are current on their rent through March who may be impacted by COVID-19:
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Ask residents who will not be able to pay their April rent on time to submit a written request for relief by March 31 which includes a general description of their hardship.
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Offer an installment payment plan to those who seek relief that allows residents who will miss the April rent an opportunity to make up the amount over the next twelve months, with no fees or penalties.
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Waive late fees and/or penalties for those paying the April rent partially, or in increments, at any time during the month.
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Prior to filing eviction proceedings against a tenant who is late on April rent, instead ask those who are delinquent to contact the Office of Housing's Landlord and Tenant Division Chief Melodie Seau (melodie.seau@alexandriava.gov or 703-746-3078) to assist them with additional resources.
Arlington County has issued a list of voluntary suggestions that multifamily rental properties may take to assist tenants who are current on their rent through March who may be impacted by COVID-19:
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Ask tenants who will not be able to pay their April or May rent on time to submit a written request for relief which includes a general description of their hardship or household situation.
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Offer an installment payment plan to those who seek relief that allows tenants who will miss April or May rent an opportunity to make up the amount over the next twelve months, with no fees or penalties.
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Waive late fees and/or penalties for those paying April or May rent partially, or in increments, at any time(s) during the month, as they are able.
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Do not file eviction proceedings against any tenant who is late paying April or May rent. Currently, the General District Court has removed all civil cases – except for protective orders – from the docket which were scheduled to be heard from March 17th through April 6th, including eviction cases (unlawful detainers). This information was shared in an Order for Docket Management effective March 16, 2020.
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Refer tenants who may be struggling to Arlington County’s Department of Human Services for emergency assistance at 703-228-1350.
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As of now, Arlington County’s housing programs are continuing operations and rental subsidy programs (e.g., Housing Grants, Permanent Supportive Housing, and Housing Choice Vouchers) should experience no disruption that would impact payments to housing providers. Further, the County is exploring options for providing financial support to housing providers who experience hardship as a result of uncollected rents and will provide further information as resources are identified.
Click here for a list of resources for members compiled by the National Apartment Association and the National Multifamily Housing Council
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