Evictions are scheduled to begin Monday after being frozen by the Governor since late March.
Patrick McCarron with Thomas Jefferson Real Estate says he’s looking forward to proceeding with evictions as it has been a frustrating few months for landlords who’ve had tenants who’ve refused to pay rent.
“I am being denied my due process as a landlord, my fifth amendment right to life, liberty, property, and due process without just compensation from the government,” says McCarron.
McCarron says during that time landlords have been legally obligated to continue to provide basic services at the properties.
Baton Rouge landlord Steve Myers says the number of people who will be facing eviction varies but it appears that the vast majority of tenants have been making rent since the pandemic began.
“It may be as low as ten to fifteen percent compared to where it was in March when we thought it might be thirty percent,” says Myers.
Landlords who receive federal assistance or federally backed loans may not proceed with evictions until late August.
Myers says many tenants who have been struggling financially have been offered hardship plans by their landlords to weather the COVID shutdown.
“It could be reducing rent, which I have done, it could be taking rent and spreading it over the remaining months, there are a number of things and usually it is on a case by case basis,” says Myers.
Housing advocates warn the resumption of evictions during the pandemic constitutes a serious threat to public health. For more information on tenants’ rights contact the Louisiana Fair Housing Action Center.
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