From Nick Kremydas, CEO SC REALTORS
As schools begin this week in some parts of the state, the latest covid news and CDC/DHEC recommendations are making me feel like I’m in the Groundhog Day movie, you know the one where Bill Murray keeps repeating the same day over and over again!
I have a few important updates for you this morning:
- NAR Membership/SCR Membership Reports
- Masks and your liability
- SBA launches PPP Forgiveness Portal
- Eviction Moratoriums have expired
NAR Membership/SCR Membership Reports
The August reports are attached for your review–membership continues to grow at a rapid pace–SCR membership is now over 27,000.
Masks and your Liability
The CDC and DHEC issued new guidance last week that you need to be aware of–as it may impact your company’s liability risk. They both recommend indoor masking for all regardless of vaccination status.
The SC General Assembly passed a bill to provide common sense covid liability protections for businesses in our state, including real estate firms, against baseless lawsuits. For a business to avail themselves of the protections however, they are required to “operate consistently with applicable public health guidance” which in this case means following the DHEC mask recommendations in your place of business. I know how much of a political hot potato masks are–this is a legal update and SCR wants to make you aware of your potential risk and liability and how to avoid it.
SBA launches PPP Forgiveness Portal
The SBA announced they will open a new online portal for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrowers to directly apply for forgiveness. This portal will officially open for use on August 4, 2021, and is only available for PPP borrowers with loans of $150K or less. Access the SBA direct forgiveness portal beginning August 4, 2021. Visit nar.realtor/coronavirusSBA for additional information on the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
Eviction Moratoriums have expired, but…
The White House and House of Representatives dropped efforts to extend the national CDC eviction moratorium over the weekend and it expired as expected on July 31.
Last week, the White House cited a June Supreme Court ruling that indicated only Congress could extend the CDC ban. This ruling was a result of a lawsuit filed by the Alabama and Georgia REALTORS, which was supported by NAR. The Court’s decision was a tremendous victory for property rights that will reverberate far into the future. NAR vigorously opposed any unreasonable extension of the moratorium without assistance for small housing providers.
NAR rallied our FPC’s, GAD’s, and AE’s around the country last week in a targeted call-to-action. In less than 24 hours, they beat back misguided narratives and got out the word to hundreds of lawmakers on how this ban is hurting mom-and-pop housing providers and the housing industry. No other association can match the dedication of our 1.4 million members.
NAR worked throughout 2020 to help secure nearly $50 billion in rental assistance to cover up to a year-and-a-half of combined future and past rent and utilities for struggling tenants. The White House renewed calls for states to speedily distribute rental assistance, and NAR continues to work toward that effort as well.
But this may not be the end of the matter…
The White House committed to several actions this week to:
- Direct federal agencies to consider all legal authorities to stop evictions;
- Encourage states and localities to establish or extend their own eviction moratoriums;
- Call on courts to stop eviction proceedings until renters and landlords first apply for ERA;
- Direct federal housing agencies to ensure federally supported landlords apply for ERA rather than evict renters; and
- Ensure federal funds can be used to support eviction prevention efforts by courts, legal aid, and housing counselors.
We’ll continue to monitor our local and state governments in SC. We haven’t heard anything new from the SC Supreme Court on this matter, but will let you know if they act.
On Wednesday, August 4, at 2 pm, join a group of experts in a new NAR webinar Next Up: After the Eviction Moratorium as they discuss the next steps for REALTOR® Associations, property managers, and housing providers alike.