What does an "eviction moratorium" refer to?

An eviction moratorium refers to a temporary prohibition on evictions. This legal measure is typically enacted in response to specific circumstances, such as public health crises or economic downturns, to protect tenants from being forced out of their homes during challenging times. The intent is to provide relief to individuals and families who might be unable to fulfill their rental obligations due to unforeseen situations, like job loss or illness.

During an eviction moratorium, landlords are generally not permitted to file eviction notices or proceed with eviction proceedings for a specified time period. This helps prevent homelessness and provides tenants with additional time to stabilize their situations, find employment, or seek assistance. The temporary nature of an eviction moratorium is critical; once the specified period ends, normal eviction processes can resume, assuming no further extensions or new regulations are put in place.

In contrast, a permanent ban on all evictions would imply an ongoing prohibition that does not have the same temporary and protective intention, while a reduction in rent prices and a requirement for tenant relocation do not align with the core definition of an eviction moratorium.