Coronavirus Updates and Resources
Dear NAA Members:
The National Apartment Association (NAA) has introduced a new video series as part of our 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, including: The transition to working remotely, how to handle maintenance requests, what to do if a resident tests positive for COVID-19 and how to handle media requests.
NAA is committed to providing our members with updates and new information as frequently as possible during this rapidly evolving and uniquely challenging situation – videos will be released as we continue working through new developments. If you would like to subscribe to our new COVID-19 video series, please subscribe here to receive each video in your inbox. Videos will be posted on NAA’s coronavirus resources and guidance page.
As always, we encourage our members to refer to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the latest guidelines, updates and recommendations for slowing the spread of COVID-19. For industry-specific questions regarding coronavirus, please email cv19questions@naahq.org.
Thank you for your diligence and hard work during this challenging time.
Robert Pinnegar, CAE
NAA President and CEO
CLICK & LEASE: TWO NEW FORMS REGARDING COVID-19 WILL SOON BE AVAILABLE
Dear NAA Click & Lease User,
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the NAA Click & Lease Program will be updated on April 1, 2020 to include the following changes to your lease forms. The Release Notes, which are accessible when logged into your NAA Click & Lease Program, include copies of these upcoming forms. Should you wish to access these forms sooner, they will be made available on NAA’s website beginning March 25, 2020.
Should you have any questions about these changes, please contact NAA. As always, we recommend you and your local legal counsel review all new and/or updated forms before implementing them into your leasing operations.
New Forms:
The following COVID-19 forms will be available for e-signature:
- Notice of Temporary Waiver of Late Fees
- Allows operators to waive late fees incurred by residents who, as a result of COVID-19, are experiencing loss of wages, unemployment, or medical expenses.
- Payment Plan Agreement (COVID-19 Pandemic)
- Allows a resident who, as a result of COVID-19, are experiencing loss of wages, unemployment, or medical expenses to pay rent and other sums at a later date.
- Virginia Only – Rent Payment Addendum (General)
- The Virginia Apartment Management Association has provided NAA with a Rent Payment Addendum that can be used for any situation, not just COVID-19 related situations.
The above forms are still pending approval in the following jurisdictions and will be released at a later date:
- Mississippi, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, and the Canadian province of Alberta
The above forms are not approved by local counsel for use in the following jurisdictions:
- District of Columbia and Connecticut
- AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, UT, VA, WV, and WY
- KS, MA, TN, WA, and WI; British Columbia (Canada); Ontario (Canada)
- AK, AL, AR, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, UT, VA, WA, WI, WV, and WY
- MA; British Columbia (Canada)
NAA Sample Click & Lease Forms to Assist Operators in COVID-19
In response to the COVID-19 global pandemic and the financial hardships some residents are experiencing, as a courtesy, the National Apartment Association (NAA) has released the following two forms for your voluntary use:
- Notice of Temporary Waiver of Late Fees
Allows operators to waive late fees incurred by residents who, as a result of COVID-19, are experiencing loss of wages, unemployment or unexpected medical expenses.
- Payment Plan Agreement (COVID-19 Pandemic)
Allows a resident who, as a result of COVID-19, is experiencing loss of wages, unemployment or unexpected medical expenses to pay rent and other sums at a later date.
You may access these forms by visiting NAA’s COVID-19 Resource page beginning March 25, 2020.
NAA Click & Lease users: These forms will be available on the Click & Lease platform (via Blue Moon) beginning April 1, 2020. They will be compatible with e-Signature via Blue Moon at the time of release. You should have received a broadcast today from the Click & Lease platform informing you of the upcoming forms release for your state. If not, please see the NAA staff contacts below.
All Members and Click & Lease users: We recommend you and your local legal counsel review all new and/or updated forms before incorporating them into your leasing operations. Please contact Scot Haislip or Ayiesha Beverly if you have questions.
NAA presents-What Employers Should Be Considering During The Coronavirus Pandemic
The National Apartment Association (NAA) is offering a new webinar that provides needed guidance for rental housing professionals during the coronavirus pandemic.
This webinar will include information pertaining to the new COVID-19 bill that was enacted this week, which covers expanding FMLA and details paid sick leave requirements for non-exempt and exempt employees. Additionally, operational-related guidance for employers will be provided to help address the ever-changing challenges arising during the spread of COVID-19.
Webinar Details
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What Employers Should Be Considering During the Coronavirus Pandemic
Presented by Marc Engel and Paul Starkman
Date and Time: March 26 at 2 p.m. EST
Price: Free
Statement from the National Apartment Association Concerning COVID-19 and Rent
The following is a statement from National Apartment Association (NAA) President and CEO Robert Pinnegar, CAE released on March 23:
The National Apartment Association and its more than 150 state and local affiliates, encompassing over 82,000 members and representing more than 10 million apartment homes, encourage all residents who are in financial distress to proactively reach out to work with their community managers prior to April 1. Many of our rental housing professionals already have individual plans in place to work with their residents in this unprecedented crisis. There is no “one approach fits all.” The best strategy, and NAA’s recommendation, is for owners, managers and residents to partner together to find the optimal solution. Providing a secure home for all of our residents is our primary goal.
Fannie Mae Provides Assistance to Help Renters Impacted by COVID-19 Stay in Their Apartments
In a press release issued March 24, Fannie Mae, in coordination with the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA), is allowing lenders to grant forbearance to borrowers in properties financed by Fannie Mae for up to three months if the borrower is experiencing hardship due to the impact of the COVID-19 national emergency. As part of the forbearance plan, borrowers must agree to suspend evictions of tenants who are facing financial hardship due to the current crisis. Fannie Mae anticipates that this will provide relief to renters across more than 27,000 properties.
NAA Releases Guidance Concerning Shelter-in-Place Orders
Guidance from the National Apartment Association released on March 20.
Office of Public and Indian Housing (PIH) Suspends REAC Inspections
HUD's PIH released a memo addressing the suspension of REAC Inspections and other programmatic information.
Small Business Administration Will Provide Disaster Assistance Loans
SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loans offer up to $2 million in assistance for a small business. These loans can provide vital economic support to small businesses to help overcome the temporary loss of revenue they are experiencing. Further resources can be found here and on SBA's websites: www.SBA.gov/coronavirus and www.SBA.gov/disaster.
DOL Announces New Guidance on Unemployment Insurance Flexibilities
DOL announced new guidance outlining flexibilities that states have in administering their unemployment insurance (UI) programs to assist Americans affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
Department of Energy Coronavirus Resources
DOE is coordinating closely with the White House and its interagency partners in the unified response to the Coronavirus. DOE leadership will be issuing further guidance as the situation evolves.
NAA COVID-19 Video Series
Dear NAA Members:
The National Apartment Association (NAA) is introducing a new video series as part of our 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, including: The transition to working remotely, how to handle maintenance requests and what to do if a resident tests positive for COVID-19. The first installation, “Teleworking Amid COVID-19,” shares guidance that will be helpful as organizations transition from normal business operations to working remotely. It is available now at the link below.
NAA is committed to providing our members with updates and new information as frequently as possible during this rapidly evolving and uniquely challenging situation – videos will be released as we continue working through new developments. If you would like to subscribe to our new COVID-19 video series, please subscribe here to receive each video in your inbox. Videos will also be posted for NAA members on the coronavirus resources and guidance page.
As always, we encourage our members to refer to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for the latest guidelines, updates and recommendations for slowing the spread of COVID-19. For industry-specific questions regarding coronavirus, please email cv19questions@naahq.org.
Thank you for your diligence and hard work during this challenging time.
Robert Pinnegar, CAE
President and CEO
National Apartment Association
4300 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 800, Arlington, VA 22203
Message from Robert Pinnegar
Dear NAA Members, President Trump today announced he is directing the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to suspend all evictions and foreclosures through the end of April 2020. This follows similar actions by governors and mayors in several jurisdictions across the country. Nationally, at least 35 jurisdictions announced eviction moratoriums in light of the spread of COVID-19 with more considering legislation or mandate by judicial action or law enforcement. No details of the President’s order have been provided yet, but NAA is in direct communication with HUD leadership and we are assured that guidance is coming soon. The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced it has directed Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to suspend foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days due to the coronavirus national emergency. To clarify, the FHFA foreclosure and eviction suspension applies to homeowners with an Enterprise-backed single-family mortgage. We will keep you apprised as this situation develops and are continually updating our COVID-19 resources and guidance. Thanks, Robert Pinnegar, CAE President and CEO National Apartment Association 4300 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 800, Arlington, VA 22203 rpinnegar@naahq.org | www.naahq.org
Additional Update from Robert Pinnegar, CAE President and CEO National Apartment Association (NAA)
Dear NAA members,
News related to COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. As an update to my previous email, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) confirmed that Secretary Ben Carson has authorized the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to implement an immediate foreclosure and eviction moratorium for single-family homeowners with FHA-insured mortgages for the next 60 days. This announcement falls in line with the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s (FHFA) directive to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) to suspend foreclosures and evictions for at least 60 days for homeowners with an Enterprise-backed single-family mortgage.
In light of these extraordinary circumstances, HUD encourages public housing authorities (PHAs) and rental housing providers who serve rent assisted (Housing Choice Voucher (including Project-Based Voucher (PBV)), public housing and Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG)) residents to prevent the displacement of families through eviction. Some PHAs have gone so far as to issue eviction moratoriums for housing that falls under their jurisdiction.
Bear in mind that states and localities continue to push their own eviction moratoriums, applicable to all privately-owned housing. Nationally, at least 35 jurisdictions announced eviction moratoriums in light of the spread of COVID-19 with more considering legislation or mandate by judicial action or law enforcement. We have developed a research report to help you navigate this patchwork of mandates, including information on eviction, rent increase restrictions, late fees and shelter-in-place orders.
Please visit NAA’s Resources and Guidance for COVID-19 where you can link to our policy concerns page to learn more.
Thanks,
Robert Pinnegar, CAE
President and CEO
National Apartment Association
4300 Wilson Blvd., Ste. 800, Arlington, VA 22203
Helpful webinars related to the Multifamily Industry and the Coronavirus
- Watch Teleworking Amid COVID-19 - NAA shares guidance that will be helpful as organizations transition from normal business operations to working remotely. Guidance is presented by Nancy Carbone, NAA Senior Vice President, Human Resources & Administration. Released 3/18/2020
- Watch Legislative and Regulatory Updates - NAA provides a property management-focused legislative and regulatory update in light of the spread of COVID-19. Guidance is presented by Nicole Upano, NAA Director of Public Policy. Released 3/19/2020
What Real Estate Managers Need to Know
Coronavirus Crisis: Leadership:
10 Initiatives with Toni Blake (Free)
Click above to view presentation on Dropbox
Helpful Websites
Helpful Websites
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Coronavirus Preparedness for Apartment Firms
Federal Emergency Management Agency
Institute of Real Estate Management
Alabama Emergency Management Agency
Alabama Department of Public Health
National Apartment Association – Guidance Dealing with the Coronavirus
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
J Turner Research (NEW)