Seattle Mayor Freezes Business Evictions As County Asks For Property Tax Relief

Courtesy of Downtown Seattle Association
A Temporary Moratorium Suspends Small Business And Nonprofit Tenant Evictions Related To Nonpayment Of Rent Due To The Expiration Of Lease Terms During The Moratorium.

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan on Wednesday signed an emergency order temporarily halting evictions of small businesses and nonprofit tenants.

The order is effective immediately and will be in place for at least 60 days. It comes in addition to the mayor’s March 10 Small Business Recovery Package and an order to halt residential evictions in the city.

“We are facing the challenge of our lifetime,” Durkan said in a press release. “We are taking unprecedented steps to protect both residents and small employers from the impact of this crisis. The last several weeks have devastated our small businesses and we know the crisis will be felt for months.”

The temporary moratorium suspends small business and nonprofit tenant evictions related to nonpayment of rent due to the expiration of lease terms during the moratorium. Independently owned businesses with fewer than 50 employees per establishment, state nonprofits and 501(c)(3) nonprofits are eligible. It also prevents small businesses from incurring late fees, interest or other charges due to late payment.

Durkan also deferred utility payments for customers impacted by the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, and is creating an Arts Recovery Package.

King County Executive Dow Constantine and the King County Council asked Gov. Jay Inslee to delay property tax payments for residential and commercial customers. Inslee has indicated that there soon will be a presidential declaration allowing more people to claim unemployment, according to a report by NBC affiliate King5.

Continue reading this story with a free account

Log in or register
Sign up for more articles like this
Subscribe to Bisnow's Seattle Newsletters
Related Stories

CBRE IM Buys Net Lease REIT For $1.6B, Plans More Investment

The Difference Between Service And Hospitality That Makes A Flexible Workspace A Success

Beyond The Boom: How Miami's CRE Market Continues To Be Resilient

Sixers And Flyers Unveil Renderings Of South Philly Arena Due In 2030

The Opportunities, Limitations And Benefits Of Reserved Investor Funds

After 5 Years Of Gains, Commercial Real Estate's C-Suites Just Got Less Diverse

£1B Property Group To Buy Huge Chunk Of Collapsed NCP Car Park Empire

1,300 Projects Potentially Paused Due To Suspension Of Quality Inspectors

Walker & Dunlop On Why The Housing Market Is More Balanced Than It Appears

California Duo's Ponzi-Like Investment Scheme Unravels With Bankruptcy, SEC Charges

Prominent Philly Caterer Sues Town Officials Over Vineyard Plans In Bucks County

Houston Firm Hires Former Floor & Decor Exec As President Of New Offering