*IMPORTANT*
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Good afternoon everyone-
About an hour ago, NAA launched a grassroots alert asking Congress to include apartments in any relief package, including relief for residents and mortgage forbearance for owners/operators. The time frame is tight as all depends on the Senate acting before it adjourns in the coming days. We have attached the text of the ask to Congress and the link to the alert itself is below. Please share if you are able. I know you are all incredibly slammed right now, but hopefully we can get Congress to act. |
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Are you a resident with questions about what to do during COVID-19 regarding rent, eviction, assistance, or section 8? Here are your answers!
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What should I do if I am unable to pay my rent? First: Contact your Property Manager. The most important thing that you can do is communicate your situation with your Property Manager.
Can I be evicted even though there is a public health crisis? The Texas Supreme Court has halted most evictions, including for non-payment of rent, until April 19. I am a renter and need assistance paying my bills. Where can I go for help? If you need rental payment assistance, there are several groups and agencies that can help. Contact your property manager for a list! Do I still need to pay rent even though evictions have been halted? Yes—the court’s temporary halt of evictions does not affect your obligation to pay rent, and continuing to pay your rent protects your rights as a renter under Texas law. What if I live at a public housing authority property, affordable housing property or use Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)? Both public housing and Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) residents who experience a loss or reduction of wages should contact their housing authority to see what can be done to provide assistance. FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT https://www.taa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/TAA-Cororavirus-Renter-Resources-1.pdf |
Texas Supreme Court temporarily
suspends most evictions
TAA offers free sample forms, other resources, to membersThe Texas Apartment Association will be updating you regularly about our resources and actions taken to respond to challenges our members are facing in response to the coronavirus and COVID-19.
Statewide evictions on hold through April 19: Late Thursday afternoon, the Texas Supreme Court issued an emergency order immediately suspending almost all residential evictions through April 19, 2020. There is a limited exception for an eviction based on a person posing an imminent threat of physical harm to another resident or the rental property’s staff, or for criminal activity. The order applies statewide. Courts may accept new filings, but citation will not be served until after April 19, and the time periods associated with the filings are suspended. Similarly, courts may issues writs of possession, but writs will not be executed until after April 26.
TAA worked with the governor’s office, the Supreme Court of Texas and Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, the state’s largest legal aid organization, to reach a consensus on eviction court procedures that would be uniform and fair to all parties. “The Court’s action Thursday provides a uniform approach that will be consistent statewide, and will replace the patchwork of conflicting measures being adopted in different Texas communities,” said TAA President Mark Hurley.
Read our full statement and some FAQs about the Court’s order.
Free Sample Forms: We have two new sample forms to assist you in working with your residents. These are a “Notice of Temporary Waiver of Late Fees” and a “Payment Plan Agreement” if you opt to offer residents options for extending their rent payments. TAA encourages members to work with residents directly affected by the coronavirus, and to waive late fees. These are also available in TAA REDBOOK Online in both Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word versions, and will be available to TAA Click & Lease users now in a print-only form, and as forms you can complete through Click & Lease on March 25.
COVID-19 and Rental Housing in Texas webinar resources: The recording and presentation from the March 18 TAA webinar are now available. Additional resources, including key takeaways and FAQs, will be coming soon.
Advocate for resident and industry relief: Congress is considering additional measures to relieve economic disruption caused by the pandemic, and support Americans who’ve been affected. In order to provide the most effective relief to our residents and the industry, NAA is suggesting a two-pronged approach: Congress should provide direct assistance to renters as well as support for impacted property owners and operators. Communicate with your congressman using NAA’s suggested letter.
NAA webinar series and other resources: The National Apartment Association (NAA) is introducing a new video series as part of its COVID-19 (coronavirus) resources. These brief, 10-minute or less micro-webinars will examine and provide guidance on pressing issues affecting the rental housing industry in light of coronavirus. View the first micro-webinar, “Teleworking Amid COVID-19,” which shares guidance that will be helpful as organizations transition from normal business operations to working remotely. You can also subscribe to receive this video series as new videos are released.
Questions? TAA has a dedicated email for members with coronavirus-related questions: COVID-19@taa.org
suspends most evictions
TAA offers free sample forms, other resources, to membersThe Texas Apartment Association will be updating you regularly about our resources and actions taken to respond to challenges our members are facing in response to the coronavirus and COVID-19.
Statewide evictions on hold through April 19: Late Thursday afternoon, the Texas Supreme Court issued an emergency order immediately suspending almost all residential evictions through April 19, 2020. There is a limited exception for an eviction based on a person posing an imminent threat of physical harm to another resident or the rental property’s staff, or for criminal activity. The order applies statewide. Courts may accept new filings, but citation will not be served until after April 19, and the time periods associated with the filings are suspended. Similarly, courts may issues writs of possession, but writs will not be executed until after April 26.
TAA worked with the governor’s office, the Supreme Court of Texas and Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid, the state’s largest legal aid organization, to reach a consensus on eviction court procedures that would be uniform and fair to all parties. “The Court’s action Thursday provides a uniform approach that will be consistent statewide, and will replace the patchwork of conflicting measures being adopted in different Texas communities,” said TAA President Mark Hurley.
Read our full statement and some FAQs about the Court’s order.
Free Sample Forms: We have two new sample forms to assist you in working with your residents. These are a “Notice of Temporary Waiver of Late Fees” and a “Payment Plan Agreement” if you opt to offer residents options for extending their rent payments. TAA encourages members to work with residents directly affected by the coronavirus, and to waive late fees. These are also available in TAA REDBOOK Online in both Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Word versions, and will be available to TAA Click & Lease users now in a print-only form, and as forms you can complete through Click & Lease on March 25.
COVID-19 and Rental Housing in Texas webinar resources: The recording and presentation from the March 18 TAA webinar are now available. Additional resources, including key takeaways and FAQs, will be coming soon.
Advocate for resident and industry relief: Congress is considering additional measures to relieve economic disruption caused by the pandemic, and support Americans who’ve been affected. In order to provide the most effective relief to our residents and the industry, NAA is suggesting a two-pronged approach: Congress should provide direct assistance to renters as well as support for impacted property owners and operators. Communicate with your congressman using NAA’s suggested letter.
NAA webinar series and other resources: The National Apartment Association (NAA) is introducing a new video series as part of its COVID-19 (coronavirus) resources. These brief, 10-minute or less micro-webinars will examine and provide guidance on pressing issues affecting the rental housing industry in light of coronavirus. View the first micro-webinar, “Teleworking Amid COVID-19,” which shares guidance that will be helpful as organizations transition from normal business operations to working remotely. You can also subscribe to receive this video series as new videos are released.
Questions? TAA has a dedicated email for members with coronavirus-related questions: COVID-19@taa.org
The Piney Woods Apartment Association is the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce Member of the Month!
CAM postponed until further notice!
CAM has been postponed to Feb. 2020, dates TBD.
An Association that is for you...
From left to right: Margo Russell, Denise Emmerling, Makayla Valdez - Vice President, Patrick Castillo, Javier Peralta, Andrea Henson - Treasurer, Alex Horn - Past President, Brandy Lamon - President, Selina Garcia - Secretary, Jordan Broadway, Summer Roenne. Not pictured are Joe Gordon and Joseph Ramsey.
We network, learn, educate, supply, inform and service the community.Throughout this site, the Piney Woods Apartment Association (PWAA) provides information for leadership, training, upcoming events, membership benefits, networking with business partners and other materials to learn more about the many aspects of the Multi-Family Housing industry.
If you are an owner, manager, business professional or interested in learning more regarding the Multi-Family Housing Industry, our region is located in Deep East Texas and services the following eight counties; Angelina, Houston, Nacogdoches, Polk, Sabine, San Augustine, Shelby, and Trinity. |
Texas Apartment Association (TAA) recognized Jimmy McClung & the Pineywoods Apartment Association Executive Mary Ocheske-Mocniak with the Community Service Star Award. Award was presented today to Jimmy for his support in helping raise money for Harold's House in Lufkin.
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