SAAA April 2020 Special Edition Residence Magazine APR_2020_DIGITAL_Magazine | Page 10

5 things to know about eviction in San Antonio during the coronavirus pandemic
By Marina Starleaf Riker
Published 12:20 pm CDT, Friday, March 20, 2020
SA Express News
The Supreme Court of Texas is ordering all courts across Texas to temporarily halt evictions to prevent peo-
ple from losing their homes if they can’t pay rent amid the coronavirus pandemic.
This comes after earlier this week, Bexar County courts said they would pause evictions through April 16.
The supreme court’s new order says that courts must pause most eviction court proceedings through April
19 and wait until after April 26 to force tenants out of their homes through the writ of the possession pro-
cess.
During that period, the supreme court is allowing courts to move forward with evictions if tenants engage in
criminal activity or pose an “imminent threat” of physical harm to landlords, management staff and neigh-
bors.
Once you have an eviction on your record, it can make finding a place to live much more difficult and lead
to higher move-in deposits. If you have lost your job or are struggling to pay rent, here’s what you need to
know about how to avoid eviction in the future:
1. Your landlord can still file eviction lawsuits while court proceedings and move outs are stalled if you pay
rent late or not at all. Once courts go back to business as usual, landlords will be able to move forward with
evictions that were temporarily paused during the pandemic.
2. If you think you might have trouble paying rent on time, talk with your landlord. Apartment industry
groups are encouraging landlords to waive late fees and help arrange payment plans for tenants who are
struggling to keep up.
3. Did you lose your job, or were your hours cut? Keep all related documents such as pay stubs and letters
from employers to prove that your source of income has dropped. Show these documents to your landlord
and social service agencies when asking for help.
4. CPS Energy and San Antonio Water System have also paused the practice of disconnecting services for
residents who fail to pay their water and energy bills. But if you don’t pay those bills, they’ll still continue to
accrue.
5. Start calling local charities and social service agencies to find help. To search for agencies providing assis-
tance of all kinds, including help with rent, utilities, counseling and groceries, visit SACRD.org. File for unem-
ployment benefits by visiting: https://twc.texas.gov/jobseekers/unemployment-benefits-services
Accessed on 3/20/2020 at: https://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/5-things-to-know-about-
eviction-in-San-Antonio-15146009.php?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=my-
sa_afternoonheadlines&utm_content=news&stn=nf
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April 2020 SPECIAL EDITION | www.saaaonline.org