TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis' executive order on suspending evictions for Florida tenants will expire Thursday.
The order's expiration comes as many Floridians feared getting kicked out of their homes.
In late August, DeSantis extended Executive Order 20-180, which halted evictions for Floridians, until 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1. Executive Order 20-180 marked the fifth time DeSantis extended the eviction ban.
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The state's eviction relief is set to expire, so there is no confusion over whether the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) eviction order should apply.
The CDC enacted a nationwide order that provides federal eviction relief to people who submitted a valid declaration to their landlord regarding rent.
That CDC order is expected to expire on Dec. 31, unless it is extended. You can learn more here.
The pandemic caused record-breaking unemployment in the state, leaving many renters unable to pay their landlords.
Clerks of courts in some counties stopped processing eviction filings after the governor's order, but others did not. Prior to the extension, many feared getting slapped with eviction orders and ending up homeless in a matter of days.
Below is the executive order signed Wednesday by DeSantis:
But for future reference for Florida tenants, experts say tenants facing eviction due to the pandemic's financial fallout should try to negotiate a payment plan or settlement with the landlord.
Tenants who were evicted during the suspension period can seek legal help at www.bals.org.