COVID-19 NEWS

COVID-19's ALERT TO LANDLORDS AND BANKS

March 19, 2020

• The current situation in our Commonwealth and nation is presenting unprecedented challenges for everyone, especially businesses. We are continuously monitoring the situation as it develops, including reviewing legislation that is passed into law and announcements from our Courts. In an effort to keep you informed, we are writing to provide you important information that may affect you now or in the near future. 

  If you are a landlord to residential tenants, you are obligated to follow the eviction procedures in your tenants' leases and the PA Landlord and Tenant Act of 1951. However, please be aware that, on March 18, 2020, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania issued a moratorium from March 18, 2020, to April 3, 2020 (although Lancaster County has ordered such a moratorium until April 14, 2020), on any eviction, ejectment or other displacement from a residence based upon the failure to make a rent, loan or other similar payment. Note that this does not affect your ability, or obligation, to provide Notices of Default to applicable tenants during this time; you will just not be able to pursue evictions or judgments for unpaid rent/damages until the moratorium is lifted. This Order also does not preclude requests for orders of possession resulting from judgments entered in landlord-tenant actions, but any execution on that order is stayed to a date after April 3, 2020.

  If you are a lending institution, in addition to the above, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development on April 18, 2020, authorized the Federal Housing Administration to put an immediate moratorium on foreclosures and evictions for the next two months for single-family homeowners who are unable to pay their FHA-backed mortgages. Additionally, homeowners with loans backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, also will be granted foreclosure relief. 

  We will continue to closely coordinate with you during this ongoing situation.  We want you to know that we are here for you, and will remain here for you, throughout this crisis.

  If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to us. We are truly grateful for your trust and confidence over the last 20 years. We all will get through this situation together. Rest assured that we are here to assist you in any way we can, as we share our best wishes for the health and safety of those close to you.