Jodi M. Ruberg, Esq., Business & Corporate Law, Estate Planning Law
**UPDATED September 2, 2020**
Hours before Florida’s moratorium on evictions and foreclosure was slated to expire – Governor Ron DeSantis signed another extension order to 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2020. The order applies only to the “final action” and not for reasons other than the COVID-19 emergency.
**UPDATED July 31, 2020**
Once again, Governor DeSantis has extended the executive order which provides Mortgage Foreclosure and Eviction Relief – this time extending the relief until September 1, 2020. Although lawsuits may move forward for failure to pay mortgages and rent, “final actions” are suspended where the proceeding arises from non-payment of a mortgage by a single-family mortgagor or non-payment of rent by a residential tenant, who has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 emergency. A mortgager or tenant has been adversely affected by the COVID-19 emergency if they have suffered “loss of employment, diminished wages or business income, or other monetary loss realized during the Florida State of Emergency directly impacting the ability” to make these payments.
**UPDATED July 1, 2020**
Hours before the executive order expired, Governor Ron DeSantis issued the extension that temporarily bans evictions and foreclosures in Florida. The new deadline will be 12:01 a.m. Aug. 1, according to the order.
**ORIGINAL**
Governor Ron DeSantis has, for the second time, extended an executive order which further suspends mortgage foreclosures and evictions. This order protects residential tenants, mortgage borrowers and commercial loan borrowers for an additional 30 days, until 12:01 a.m. on July 1st. Borrowers and Tenants should understand, however, that the temporary relief does not relieve an individual or business from their obligation to make residential rent payments or mortgage and commercial loan payments. In other words, once the suspension is lifted, rent and mortgage or commercial loan payments will need to be current in order to avoid eviction or foreclosure.
Dating back to the April 2nd Order, Blalock Walters has been assisting borrowers, lenders, tenants and landlords. Oftentimes, we are finding that parties are working out unique arrangements, including loan and lease modifications and need our assistance in properly documenting those agreements.
For additional information on Governor DeSantis’ orders or any legal questions pertaining COVID-19, please call one of our attorneys at 941.748.0100 or email business law attorney Jodi Ruberg at jruberg@blalockwalters.com.
