Title 15, Commerce and TradeRelease 119-110

§9058 Temporary Moratorium on Eviction Filings

Title 15 › CHAPTER 116 — CORONAVIRUS ECONOMIC STABILIZATION (CARES ACT) › SUBCHAPTER III — ECONOMIC STABILIZATION AND ASSISTANCE TO SEVERELY DISTRESSED SECTORS OF THE UNITED STATES ECONOMY › Part A — Coronavirus Economic Stabilization › § 9058

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

For the 120-day period beginning on March 27, 2020, landlords of covered dwellings cannot start an eviction court case to force a tenant out for not paying rent. They also cannot charge fees, penalties, or extra charges to a tenant for not paying rent during that time. A landlord cannot make a tenant leave until at least 30 days after giving a notice to vacate. The landlord cannot give that notice until after the 120-day period ends. Definitions (one line each): Covered dwelling — a place a tenant lives under a lease or without one when it is on a covered property. Covered property — property in certain federal housing programs or with a federally backed mortgage. Dwelling — the federal meaning for a home or living unit. Federally backed mortgage loan — a mortgage on residential property for 1 to 4 families that has federal support. Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan — a mortgage on residential property for 5 or more families that has federal support.

Full Legal Text

Title 15, §9058

Commerce and Trade, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Definitions

In this section: (1) Covered dwelling

(2)Covered property

The term “covered property” means any property that—

(A)participates in—

(i)a covered housing program (as defined in section 12491(a) of title 34); or

(ii)the rural housing voucher program under section 1490r of title 42; or

(B)has a—

(i)Federally backed mortgage loan; or

(ii)Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan.

(3)Dwelling

The term “dwelling”—

(A)has the meaning given the term in section 3602 of title 42; and

(B)includes houses and dwellings described in section 3603(b) of title 42.

(4)Federally backed mortgage loan

The term “Federally backed mortgage loan” includes any loan (other than temporary financing such as a construction loan) that—

(A)is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and cooperatives) designed principally for the occupancy of from 1 to 4 families, including any such secured loan, the proceeds of which are used to prepay or pay off an existing loan secured by the same property; and

(B)is made in whole or in part, or insured, guaranteed, supplemented, or assisted in any way, by any officer or agency of the Federal Government or under or in connection with a housing or urban development program administered by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development or a housing or related program administered by any other such officer or agency, or is purchased or securitized by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation or the Federal National Mortgage Association.

(5)Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan

The term “Federally backed multifamily mortgage loan” includes any loan (other than temporary financing such as a construction loan) that—

(A)is secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential multifamily real property designed principally for the occupancy of 5 or more families, including any such secured loan, the proceeds of which are used to prepay or pay off an existing loan secured by the same property; and

(b)Moratorium

During the 120-day period beginning on March 27, 2020, the lessor of a covered dwelling may not—

(1)make, or cause to be made, any filing with the court of jurisdiction to initiate a legal action to recover possession of the covered dwelling from the tenant for nonpayment of rent or other fees or charges; or

(2)charge fees, penalties, or other charges to the tenant related to such nonpayment of rent.

(c)Notice

The lessor of a covered dwelling unit—

(1)may not require the tenant to vacate the covered dwelling unit before the date that is 30 days after the date on which the lessor provides the tenant with a notice to vacate; and

(2)may not issue a notice to vacate under paragraph (1) until after the expiration of the period described in subsection (b).

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

15 U.S.C. § 9058

Title 15, Commerce and Trade

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110