Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
NYC Halts Evictions For One Week, As Some Top Property Owners Pledge 90-Day Moratorium
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Mar 13, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jake Offenhartz
Published Mar 13, 2020
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New York City will enact a one-week moratorium on all evictions, as several large city landlords pledged not to execute evictions for the next ninety days.
The move follows calls from state lawmakers and tenant groups demanding an end to rent increases and evictions as many New Yorkers face a loss of income due to the spread of COVID-19. A petition circulated by Housing Justice for All garnered more than 10,000 signatures before the moratorium was announced.
In a memo released on Friday, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks wrote: "Effective immediately, we have imposed a one-week moratorium on evictions in New York City, subject to further extension upon review. Simultaneously, we are directing that until further notice, the New York City Housing Court decline to issue new eviction warrants when a party has not appeared in court.”
On top of that ban, some top property owners with the Real Estate Board of New York said they would stay evictions for the next 90 days, with an exception for "criminal or negligent behavior that jeopardizes the life, health or safety of other residents." The property owners represent more than 150,000 rental units across the city.
"With all the stress, health risk and economic suffering going on now, no one should have to worry about losing their place to live during this crisis," the owners, who include The Durst Organization,
Extell Development Company, and Two Trees, said in a statement. "With New York at risk, we must come together and protect our residents."
Other cities such as San Francisco and Miami have also taken steps to halt evictions.
Studies have shown that low-income and homeless individuals are at a higher risk during public health emergencies. The city's health department has released guidance for shelter providers to begin developing plans in the event of an outbreak.
The ban on eviction applies only in the city, though some advocates said they are organizing for a statewide measure.
A spokesperson for Governor Andrew Cuomo did not immediately respond to questions about whether he supported ending evictions or freezing rents across New York during the pandemic.
Tagged
COVID-19
evictions
housing
coronavirus
Jake Offenhartz
Jake Offenhartz is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Gov. Hochul declares upstate NY measles outbreak a ‘disaster emergency’
The declaration is driven by rising case counts in rural areas and in neighboring Pennsylvania.
By
Caroline Lewis
Published Oct 5, 2026 at 4:04 p.m. ET
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
Det. Patrick Craig admitted giving false information to a prosecutor and another detective before police obtained a search warrant.
By
Charles Lane
News
NYPD detective forced to retire after false statements in Brooklyn investigation
Det. Patrick Craig admitted giving false information to a prosecutor and another detective before police obtained a search warrant.
By
Charles Lane
Mamdani faces pressure to forge ahead with plan to fix polluting South Bronx market
By
Elizabeth Kim
Dominican man who shot border patrol officer in NYC sentenced to 15 years in prison
By
Samantha Max
NYC extends program offering late-night soccer games at 5 parks
By
Liam Quigley
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .