Tenant, landlord interests closely connected during COVID-19 pandemic

During this unprecedented time, tenants and landlords have seen that their interests are closely connected. Hundreds of thousands of tenants are out of work and have fallen behind with their rent payments, while landlords are seeing sizeable losses of income because of rent defaults that hinder the management and operation of residential rental housing.

Advocates for tenants and affordable housing — NC Coalition to End Homelessness, NC Housing Coalition, NC Justice Center and Pisgah Legal Services — have joined with the Apartment Association of NC in a joint letter to landlords and tenants. The letter urges tenants to pay their rent on time if they have financial ability to do so and for landlords to make use of North Carolina’s judicial process when attempting to evict tenants and not use self-help measures.

The letter reads, “As a collective, we can navigate these challenging times and extend flexibility to those financially impacted by the COVID 19 virus if we work together. Housing industry leaders, advocates, and policymakers are all working diligently to ensure the needs of communities like yours are met.”