In Florida, it's illegal for a landlord to cut off a tenant's utilities, including water, heat, or electricity. Landlords sometimes use ways to try to kick out tenants despite local and federal moratoriums that are supposed to protect people from becoming homeless amid the pandemic.
Florida renters were shielded against evictions from April until the end of September, but renters still have some protections.
The CDC issued a federal order halting residential evictions through December 31, as an effective public-health measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The protections, however aren't all automatic. Renters are required to submit a sworn affidavit and include that they can't pay full rent because of a substantial loss of income, that they have tried to make partial payments, and that being evicted would result in homelessness. A landlord can challenge the declaration a tenant provides and the CDC order only halts evictions for cases of nonpayment. Tenants who are being evicted for other reasons aren't covered.
Landlords in Miami-Dade can still initiate eviction proceedings for nonpayment, demand the rent payments, and take tenants to court. The payments will eventually come due.
If your landlord is trying to evict you, A number of local legal-aid organizations, including the CJP and Legal Services of Greater Miami, take on certain cases and offer legal advice. Tenants can seek help from statewide legal aid organizations, too. Miami-Dade County also offers emergency rental assistance.
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