COVID-19 Renters rights

Rental and utility assistance resources for renters

Everyone’s life has been affected in some way by the COVID-19 pandemic, and renters are near the top of that list. To help with housing and public health, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) enacted an eviction ban in September of 2020.

The United States Supreme Court has since struck down the CDC’s eviction moratorium on August 26, 2021. However, tenants who live in multifamily properties with government-backed mortgages through Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae may continue to receive modest protection from evictions and certain types of late fees.

Visit the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to learn more.

Many states and counties have taken matters into their own hands by placing their own moratoriums on evictions, late fees, and shutting off utilities. The table below attempts to capture the most up-to-date information for renter protections state-by-state.

This information changes often, so please also click on the link for rent relief by your state, and/or contact the legal aid organization in your area.

Rent relief by state for all 50 states

AlabamaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Emergency Rental Assistance Alabama
AlabamaLegalHelp.org
Alabama’s Corona Virus Relief Fund
Visit All Together Alabama for more Covid assistance programs
AlaskaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Check out Alaska’s COVID-19 page for the latest information.
Alaska’s Covid-19 Utility Information page
Rent relief programs
ArizonaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Resources for Arizona residents
Arizona’s utility assistance and rental assistance
The ban on utility disconnects has ended. Some individual providers are holding off on disconnects and offering assistance to customers. Check with your provider.
ArkansasHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No.
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Arkansas rental assistance
CaliforniaHold on evictions: Depends
Hold on utility shutoffs: Depends
Local ban information by county or city
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Renters earning less than 80% of the area median income who have completed an application for rent relief are protected through a pre-eviction diversion process through the courts.
California’s rental assistance California COVID-19 Housing
California Public Utilities Commission
ColoradoHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Colorado’s utility information by county or city and here at the PUC’s web site
Colorado’s Emergency Housing Assistance Program (EHAP)
Covid-19 information and updates
Colorado court’s Covid updates
By order of the governor: Tenants who have applied for rental assistance must be given 30 days’ notice of nonpayment prior to filing for an eviction suit. (extended until at least December 31, 2021)
ConnecticutHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Governor order for new steps that landlords must take before delivering an eviction notice as well as other protections. (Extended through February 15, 2022)
Connecticut’s rent assistance and Covid-19 information page
DelawareHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Delaware State Housing Authority
District of ColumbiaHold on evictions: Depends
Hold on utility shutoffs: Depends
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Most evictions can now be filed, though a few tenant protections remain in place.
See the DC Public Service Commission for Covid-19 updates
D.C.’s rent and utility assistance
Tenants’ rights information now that the public health emergency is over
FloridaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Florida’s Covid-19 housing information site
Florida state website
You can contact your local SHIP office for funding assistance.
GeorgiaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Georgia’s rental assistance program and utility assistance
Check the State of Georgia Public Service Commission’s website for a list of GA services that have suspended disconnections due to COVID.
Courts also have discretion over which evictions can move forward.
HawaiiHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
COVID-19 rent relief status: Governor’s order
Learn more about Hawaii’s response to the pandemic on the state’s website. Answers to FAQs and additional resources can be found here.
Emergency rental assistance in Hawaii.
IdahoHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Idaho’s rental assistance and utility assistance
Ada county landlords and tenants involved in eviction proceedings can negotiate an agreement through their online portal.
IllinoisHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Illinois’ rental assistance and utility assistance
More Covid-19 information at Illinois Housing Development Authority
IndianaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes 
For assistance, see Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority and their COVID-19 Rental Assistance Program.
Indiana resource guide
IowaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Iowa’s rent and utility assistance
Rent and utility assistance for residents of Polk County and the City of Des Moines
KansasHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Kansas’ rent assistance and utility assistance
Kansas Eviction Prevention Program, (KEPP).
KentuckyHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Kentucky’s utility assistance program
Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund
LouisianaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Louisiana’s COVID-19 rent assistance information and utility assistance program here.  
Covid information and updates here.
MaineHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Utilities may not shut off service, and Maine has created a rent relief program.
MarylandHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
For assistance, visit here.
Eviction information from Maryland’s courts
For more information visit Maryland Attorney General’s consumer alert.
Massachusetts Hold on evictions: New regulations effective January 1, 2022 regarding some evictions
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Massachusetts’ rent assistance and utility assistance
See here for info on the Boston Relief fund.
More resources and info for Mass residents
MichiganHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Michigan’s rent assistance program and utility assistance
Michigan Legal Help here.
MinnesotaHold on evictions: As of 10/12/21, the eviction ban will apply only to renters who have pending COVID-19 rental assistance applications. All protections end June 1, 2022.
Hold on utility shutoffs: Maybe – visit the utility protections site for more information
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
See Housing Support in the state of Minnesota for more information.
MississippiHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Mississippi’s rent assistance and utility assistance programs
For additional resources including Mississpi’s Coronavirus Hotline, visit here.
MissouriHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Missouri’s rent assistance program.
MontanaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
For rent relief assistance, see Montana Rental Assistance Program.
Visit Montana Public Service Commission’s website for information on your utility status.
NebraskaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Nebraska’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program
For additional information and help contact Legal Aid of Nebraska.
NevadaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Nevada’s rent assistance and utility assistance
See Legal aid for southern Nevada for information about possible delays against eviction.
For additional resources regarding how Nevada is handling the current pandemic with respect to housing, learn more.
New HampshireHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
For rent relief support, see New Hampshire’s Housing Relief Program.
For additional resources regarding how New Hampshire is handling the current pandemic with respect to housing, learn more.
New Hampshire Emergency Rental Assistance Program
New JerseyHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
New Jersey’s rent assistance and utility assistance programs
FAQ sheet regarding end of utility shutoff moratorium and grace period
For additional resources regarding how New Jersey is handling the current pandemic with respect to housing, learn more.
New MexicoHold on evictions: Yes, for those who can prove unable to pay
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
New Mexico’s rent assistance and utility assistance programs
Additional resources are here.
Temporary moratorium on eviction. Provide evidence of current inability to pay rent at your court hearing regarding eviction petition. Eviction hearings by video or phone, unless otherwise requested.
New YorkHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoff: No
New York’s rent assistance and utility assistance programs
More information regarding utility assistance.
For additional resources and FAQs about your status as a renter in New York, read here. 
North CarolinaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
For rent assistance resources, visit the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, HOPE program, and for free legal support, visit here.
North DakotaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Covid-19 resources for North Dakotans
Financial assistance for phone or internet service.
OhioHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Ohio Home Relief Grant
Utility assistance programs
OklahomaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Corona Virus Relief Application
Go here to find out more: Oklahoma’s COVID-19 resources and assistance website.
OregonHold on evictions: Limited: Safe harbor eviction protection extended through September 30, 2022
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Oregon eviction moratorium FAQ
Utility assistance programs
For other Multnomah County rent assistance, visit here
PennsylvaniaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Pennsylvania’s rent assistance and utility assistance programs
Rhode IslandHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
For general support rent relief information, read here
Rhode Island emergency rent relief
South CarolinaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
SC Stay Plus rent and utility assistance
Other resources for South Carolina rent assistance
South DakotaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
For South Dakota rental assistance visit here and here. Utility-related resources can be found at South Dakota PUC website.
TennesseeHold on evictions: No 
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Tennessee Office of the Courts’ list of eviction resources.
Tennessee’s utility assistance
TexasHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
See Texas Home Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program for support and here
Texas Rent and utility Relief
Click here to learn about assistance from TXU Energy.
UtahHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Utah Rent Relief
Utah utility assistance
Additional resources here.
VermontHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Vermont’s rent assistance
Visit the Agency of Commerce and Community for useful information and resources in Vermont.
Eviction information here.
VirginiaHold on evictions: Depends
Hold on utility shutoffs: Depends
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Virginia’s rent assistance and utility assistance
Stay Home Virginia
Renters who have applied for or are working with the landlord to apply for rent relief, effective until June 30, 2022,
Virginia’s Legal Aid provides FAQs on renting during Covid and eviction information here and Virginia’s Rent and Mortgage Relief Program (RMRP).
WashingtonHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
COVID-19 resources and information for renters can be found here.
Washington’s utility assistance
West VirginiaHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
West Virginia’s rent assistance program.
WisconsinHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Wisconsin’s rent assistance
Wisconsin Emergency Rental Assistance Program
For additional resources on tenant FAQs and Covid in Wisconsin click here, learn more.
Wisconsin’s utility assistance
WyomingHold on evictions: No
Hold on utility shutoffs: No
Other Tenant Protections/Notes
Wyoming’s rent assistance
For additional state, county, and city orders due to COVID-19, read here.
Last Updated: September 11th, 2023