Governor Issues a Moratorium on Evictions During the Coronavirus Pandemic

Gov. Steve Sisolak issued a new emergency directive on Sunday that places a moratorium on all evictions in the state of Nevada.

“This is also not the time to evict small business owners who have been hit by the economic fallout of this pandemic,” Sisolak said in a press conference broadcast on Facebook.

The moratorium on evictions applies to businesses, “in order to assist small businesses who may be fearful that their businesses will be shuttered by their landlords before they’re given the opportunity to recover” as well as people, whether renting or paying a mortgage.

Businesses are encouraged to talk to their landlords about whether they can delay rent payments while the pandemic continues.

“I want to emphasize that this directive does not constitute free rent or mortgage,” Sisolak says. “Once this is all over, landlords and tenants should work together with each other to come up with a repayment plan. We advise them to develop this plan within 30 days so they can both begin getting back on track.”

Nevada State Treasurer Zach Conine says that most lenders are offering a 90-day grace period for those facing financial hardships due to COVID-19 “until they get back on their feet.”

Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford calls the moratorium a balance between the need to keep Nevada families in their homes and businesses in their buildings, and the rights and needs of property owners. “To be clear, tenants will still be required to pay their rent and their mortgages when this is over. But this directive will help businesses survive this storm.”

The moratorium, which stays in place until Gov. Sisolak ends the state of emergency in Nevada, prohibits lockouts and eviction filings. It does not end contractual obligations between landlords and tenants, and landlords must continue maintaining the property, whether that means fixing a broken pipe or repairing an air conditioning unit. Even evictions already filed are part of the moratorium.

Landlords can continue to evict dangerous tenants who pose a threat to other residents, the public, or their property. “To be clear, this idea of a danger to others does not include people who are self-isolating because they’ve been diagnosed with COVID-19, or health-care and first responders who may be exposed to COVID-19 as part of their jobs,” Sisolak said.

Officials pointed to the state’s new COVID-19 website for more information and advised tenants encountering issues with landlords to email ask@nevadatreasurer.gov with concerns.

Sisolak mandated that all nonessential businesses, including restaurants, bars, and resorts, must close until April 16. Restaurants can continue to offer takeout and delivery services.

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