The Texas Apartment Association will be updating you regularly about our
resources and actions taken to respond to challenges our members are facing
in response to the coronavirus and COVID-19.
Texas Apartment Association revised eviction petition for temporary use;
meets new requirement under recent Texas Supreme Court order:
The Texas Apartment Association has revised its sample eviction petition to
meet the requirement under the recent Texas Supreme Court emergency
order, allowing nonpayment of rent evictions to be heard beginning May 19.
The Court’s order requires petitions for evictions filed between March 27
and July 25 to include a statement that the premises are not subject to the
moratorium on evictions imposed by Section 4024 of the CARES Act. This revised
petition, for use through July 25, includes that provision. The Supreme
Court’s order expires July 25 unless extended.
The Texas Apartment Association continues to encourage members to work
as possible with residents to avoid evictions. For additional information, see
the REDBOOK article, “Before You Evict: Alternatives to Eviction” and the
video on REDBOOK Online “Possible Alternatives to Eviction, with TAA 2019-
2020 President Mark Hurley.”
The revised petition is available now on the TAA website and will be available
tomorrow to TAA Click & Lease users.
The goal of the Supreme Court’s order is to have a consistent statewide approach
for handling eviction cases in light of the CARES Act. While the Court’s
order allows nonpayment of rent evictions to move forward, there still may
be local mandates in place affecting the eviction process.
Sample rules for reopening amenities
TAA has also prepared sample rules properties may use when reopening
amenities, to explain policies and procedures put in place as a result of efforts
to minimize the spread of coronavirus. Remember, the TAA Lease allows
properties to make reasonable changes in rules during the lease term, if they
are distributed to all residents, apply consistently to all residents and do not
change dollar amounts on page 1 or 2.
The new sample rules are intended to be customized and incorporated into
your existing policies. Download these sample rules.
Advocacy updates
TAA is also working with elected leaders to make sure they are aware of
steps members have taken to provide for renters during this crisis, and better
understand industry concerns.
Nationally, we have sent comments to Sen. John Cornyn and Sen. Ted Cruz
about the HEROES Act passed by the U.S. House. While this legislation
includes some renter relief funding and expansion of mortgage forbearance
programs supported by the industry, it also would create a 12-month eviction
moratorium for virtually all properties, in addition to other measures that
would be very detrimental to rental housing providers.
At the state level, we have provided ongoing updates to state leaders about
the industry’s response to the COVID-19 cris.is, and have sent Gov. Greg
Abbott a letter outlining the industry’s concerns with property tax appraisal
increases members are experiencing.
Questions? TAA has a dedicated email for members with coronavirus-related
questions: [email protected]
RECENTLY UPDATED CORONAVIRUS RESOURCE PAGE
www.saaaonline.org | JUNE 2020 SPECIAL EDITION 35