Florida

Coronavirus: Evictions, foreclosures suspended as part of a new executive order by Gov. Ron DeSantis

FLORIDA — Evictions and foreclosures are currently suspended as part of a new executive order by Gov. Ron DeSantis to make sure people have a place to live during the coronavirus pandemic. WATCH CBS47 FOR LATEST UPDATES

The executive order, which was signed into effect April 2, said tenants cannot be removed for nonpayment for 45 days. This means rent will eventually be due.

An Action News Jax investigation found dozens of landlords are still filing evictions.

Action News Jax dug through the Duval County Clerk of Court records and uncovered 67 evictions filed last week alone.

The docket says, “unable to issue certificate of mailing, will issue at a later date” since courts have a freeze on the eviction process.

  • April 2: 4 evictions filed
  • April 1: 16 evictions filed
  • March 31: 21 evictions filed
  • March 30: 26 evictions filed

Unemployment claims in Florida have skyrocketed recently. As people struggle to pay the bills and rent, the threat of an eviction is making a scary situation worse.

Nakeyia Grant said her apartment complex threatened to evict her and her roommate.

“I think it’s definitely wrong to evict people during the pandemic,” Grant said.

Grant reached out to Mayor Lenny Curry for help before the governor issued the eviction moratorium.

Action News Jax law and safety expert Dale Carson said the landlords who filed the evictions are likely following their routine procedure to get it on the record.

The Duval County Clerk of Courts spokesperson said courts have a freeze on hearing eviction cases, so no landlord has the authority right now to move out a tenant because they can’t get the writ from the court.