County, state and even nationwide bans on evictions have not stopped some North Texas renters from receiving letters threatening to put them out of their homes.
Leo Olguin, who lost his information technology job, said the Park Ridge Apartments in Mesquite sent him a letter saying the rent is due on time and failure to pay would result in his eviction.
"I read it and I got really upset, I'm not going to lie,” Olguin told WFAA.
Earlier this month, the Texas Supreme Court halted all evictions through April 30, with the decision on whether to renew the order remaining up to Chief Justice Nathan Hecht.
Landlords may carry out the eviction process only if the actions of the occupants “pose an imminent threat” of physical harm to the landlord, the landlord’s employees or other tenants, or if the occupants are engaging in criminal activity, according to KPRC Channel 2.
Dallas County, where Olguin’s complex is, has a shelter-in-place order prohibiting evictions through at least this month. A leasing manager reportedly said tenants who “don't pay anything in a couple of three months” will be subject to eviction at the beginning of June.
Attorney Juan Hernandez explained that justices of the peace have to green light evictions, but since they are not hearing cases in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, “it's not going to happen.”
Despite the reprieve given to renters, they still must pay what is owed in the future in addition to late fees.
"Once the ban is lifted, then the landlords are going to be able to go forward with the eviction process and now you are two months behind on rent, so what are you going to do?" Hernandez said.
Landlords are also feeling the negative financial effects of the novel coronavirus crisis. If they do not pay their mortgage, they will face foreclosure.
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