Housing Modernization Changes
Extend Eviction Timeframes & Increase Housing Stability
The Housing Bill modernizes the Uniform Owner Resident Relations Act (UORRA) to increase housing stability, and ensure that renters stay housed and landlords get paid. For renters who are behind on rent, it extends timeframes to come current on rent before eviction proceedings can be initiated and provides additional opportunities for tenants to comply with the lease and remain in their homes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused unprecedented economic hardship - as many as 42% of New Mexicans are now under threat of eviction. Even before the pandemic, NM had the highest increase of homelessness in the country between 2018 and 2019 - an increase of 27%. NM also had the highest increase of chronic homelessness during the same period - an increase of 57.6%. Before the onset of the pandemic, approximately 16 New Mexico families were evicted from their home on any given day.
Tenants who are behind on rent have almost no time to catch up before an eviction is filed, prepare to defend themselves in court, or find new housing if they are evicted. NM has some of the shortest time frames in the US. Timeframes are often too tight to access rental assistance funds available due to COVID-19, resulting in tenants being evicted and landlords losing income even when rental relief is available.
Q: How many people face eviction throughout New Mexico?
A: The most recent data show that, in average years (prior to the pandemic), approximately 16 New Mexico families are evicted from their home on any given day. COVID-19 has caused unprecedented economic hardship for our state. The most recent data shows that as many as 42% of New Mexicans are under threat of eviction, with three out of five New Mexico renter residents reporting some difficulty in paying for their typical household expenses since the pandemic started. And as many as a third of renters in New Mexico are behind on rent.
Q: Why is it important to improve protections to tenants facing eviction?
A: New Mexico has some of the shortest eviction time frames in the country. Once a renter receives a notice of late rent, they have just three days to move out or get current on rent before the landlord can file for eviction. Once the eviction process has been initiated by a landlord, it is very difficult for New Mexico’s renter families to remedy the process and remain in their home. In New Mexico, 75% of eviction filings result in a family being ordered to leave their home. Only 8 other states have timeframes for filing for eviction as short as, or shorter, than New Mexico. Of those 8 states, NM has the third highest rate of evictions.
Q: What impact does eviction have on the community?
A: The harms of eviction go beyond the family and individual. High levels of residential mobility and eviction rates can unravel the fabric of a community, thwarting efforts to establish and maintain social capital, local cohesion and community investment.