Under the CARES Act starting March 18, 2020, Multi-family owner/agents may not evict, or even initiate an eviction, of a tenant solely for non-payment of rent or other fees or charges. 

There is no bar to evicting tenants for any other reason.

However, a landlord may not require a tenant to vacate without first giving 30 days’ notice, and that 30-day period cannot begin until after the expiration of the forbearance. See the CARE Act Language below. 

RENTER PROTECTIONS DURING FORBEARANCE 2 PERIOD.—A multifamily borrower that receives a forbearance under this section may not, for the duration of the forbearance— (1) evict or initiate the eviction of a tenant from a dwelling unit located in or on the applicable property solely for nonpayment of rent or other fees or charges; or (2) charge any late fees, penalties, or other charges to a tenant described in paragraph (1) for late payment of rent. (e) NOTICE.—A multifamily borrower that receives a forbearance under this section— (1) may not require a tenant to vacate a dwelling unit located in or on the applicable property before the date that is 30 days after the date on which the borrower provides the tenant with a notice to vacate; and (2) may not issue a notice to vacate under paragraph (1) until after the expiration of the forbearance. 

The moratorium applies to: rental housing providers whose properties are insured, guaranteed, supplemented, protected, or assisted in any way by HUD, the Federal Housing Administration, Fannie Mae, or Freddie Mac; or **participate in the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program; the Section 811 Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program; Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Program; McKinney-Vento Homelessness Assistance Programs; Section 236 properties; Section 221(d)(3) below market and reduced interest rate program (BMIR); the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program; Section 8 project-based housing; HOME grantees; rural housing assistance programs; and Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) properties (**references in the law to rental housing providers of covered properties who must comply with the requirements of the Violence Against Women Act of 1994). 

Offering residents multiple ways to pay rent means that you are more likely to receive your rent payment in a timely fashion.  

If you do not accept credit card payments now, you may want to consider doing so. If you have a resident payment portal, residents can choose to pay by credit card.  

You can also establish a merchant’s account so you can take credit card payments over the phone.