SC Supreme Court: rent, mortgages should be paid amid coronavirus, no-eviction order
Chief Justice Don Beatty of the South Carolina Supreme Court says an order to halt evictions amid the coronavirus outbreak isn’t to be misconstrued to mean housing payments should not be paid.
In a statement, Beatty said, “It has come to my attention that some people are taking advantage of this devastating crisis by declining to make rent or mortgage payments. I want to remind people who are able to pay their rents and mortgages that they should continue to make their payments.”
On March 19, Beatty ordered that all eviction processes be halted until May 1. The order was based on “the negative impact the COVID-19 pandemic may have on institutions and individuals,” Beatty said.
People being evicted, becoming homeless or having housing insecurity could worsen the threat posed by the virus, according to Beatty.
“My order did not relieve people of their personal responsibilities or financial obligations,” the judge’s statement said.
The March 19 order caused confusion at Shandon Property Group, which manages rental properties, according to Mary Twitty, a property manager with the company. The company didn’t know if they needed to start eviction processes over or whether any evictions could be filed and adjudicated after the May 1 ending date of the order, Twitty said.
Other property management companies expressed confusion about what the order meant for their businesses.
Property managers sent out letters saying renters still had to pay rent. Compounding the issue, the coronavirus has caused a high level of unemployment, making some people uncertain how they’ll be able to afford housing payments.
“As of now, the moratorium on evictions and foreclosures is scheduled to end on May 1, 2020, and at that time any evictions or foreclosures may proceed,” Beatty said. “As we all work together to fight the spread of COVID-19, I will continue to monitor conditions and consider how to address evictions and foreclosure proceedings during this public health emergency.”
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhat you should know about the coronavirus
The coronavirus is spreading in the United States. Officials are urging people to take precautions to avoid getting sick, and to avoid spreading the disease if they do contract it.
Click the drop-down icon on this card for more on the virus and what you should do to keep yourself and those around you healthy.
What is coronavirus?
Coronavirus is an infection of the respiratory system similar to the flu. Coronaviruses are a class of viruses that regularly cause illnesses among adults and children, but this outbreak has spawned a new disease called COVID-19, a particularly harsh respiratory condition that can lead to death.
Health officials believe COVID-19 spread from animals to humans somewhere in China. It spreads among humans by physical person-to-person contact, including via coughs. That’s why health officials urge sick individuals to avoid contact with other people.
For more information, visit the website for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms are similar to the flu and include fever, coughing and shortness of breath.
How can I stop the spread of the coronavirus?
Wash your hands regularly with soap and water, and cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze.
If you develop symptoms similar to the coronavirus, you should seek medical attention. Stay home from work or school and avoid contact with others. It can take up to 14 days after coming into contact with the virus to develop symptoms.
COVID-19 is a new condition and there’s much about the disease we still don’t understand. For now, taking precautions is the best way to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 3:28 PM.