Background
A veteran by the name of Leonard fell behind on rent payments due to the financial impact associated with COVID-19. In the last week of September 2020, Governor DeSantis decided not to extend Executive Order 20-211 and the Governor’s moratorium was lifted.
Why it Matters
After the Florida Governor’s moratorium was lifted, the landlord filed an eviction action to remove Leonard from the property for non-payment of rent.
With immediate intervention from Legal Aid staff attorneys, the Court agreed that Leonard was protected under the CDC’s moratorium and his eviction case stopped before a writ of possession was entered against him.
Leonard felt very relieved by this. If he had not had the assistance of Legal Aid, he might have been forced to vacate during the pandemic.