The COVID-19 pandemic has left widespread unemployment and destruction in its path. The economic disruption has caused massive problems for renters and landlords alike. When you’re faced with economic hardship, one of the main concerns you’ll need to address is your ability to pay your rent. Naturally, it makes sense to ask for some form of rent relief. 

 

While the CARES Act has provided increased relief for homeowners, it has largely left renters without resources. Many states and cities have banned evictions for the duration of the coronavirus crisis. However, no other broad relief has been made available to the country’s 40 million-plus renters. 

 

Renters facing hardship have to work directly with their landlords to make arrangements that are mutually acceptable. Here are a few tips for negotiating rent relief. 

 

Document Everything

 

According to Leslie Tayne, founder and attorney at Tayne Law Group, it is helpful to provide your landlord with documentation of your financial hardship. That could be a note from your employer or evidence of your unemployment application. Once you have that, ask your landlord what options they can offer you.

 

“Ask if they can share your options via email or letter, so you have it in writing,” says Tayne. “If you are offered a rental-deferment plan, make sure it’s in writing as well. Thoroughly read and understand the terms before signing and agreeing to them.”

 

Get Creative 

Consider asking your landlord for an installment plan that can help maximize your cash flow in the near-term. There’s a decent chance that your landlord is suffering from the economic downturn as well. Everything is up for negotiation right now, and landlords recognize that getting some kind of payment is better than nothing at all. 

 

Seek Other Options

 

If you’re unable to work out an acceptable plan with your landlord, Tayne suggests going to the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s website to view the government’s rental assistance resources, including any local financial assistance programs. Catholic Charities and your local Salvation Army may also be able to offer renters support, she says, and you can call 211 to get in touch with the United Way, which can help connect you to organizations that can help.