Yes. Because these people had the money to pay, and just chose not to, because it was an option given to them.

A lot of people have the money. Most. Between savings, stimulus, unemployment, the federal kicker added to unemployment, they have the money to at least pay something.

The ones that just stop, pay nothing, are the deadbeats with other issues. Didn't get unemployment because they didn't have a job to begin with, or got fired for cause. Others have extremely poor money management skills. And far too many have seen covid as a money grab situation, because there was a LOT of cash being handed out. Our state did cash grants several times, in limited numbers. Such as $1000 to 1200 people in one town. Or $500 cash in hand to 10,000 who showed up to stand in line for two days. That actually happened. On top of grants, loans, extensions, etc.

There are very, very low numbers being evicted, and its for cause. And people not paying rent during covid can be evicted, its just a different process. And this moratorium isn't erasing rent, its creating a debt that some, very very few, will not be able to pay when it comes due. Subsidized housing in our area just sent out notices to tenants that all past due rent will accrue interest, fees and penalties beginning in 90 days, and that any past due rent not paid by then can result in eviction.

I imagine that after the first of the year, civil courts are going to be overwhelmed.

Tenants have rights, but so do landlords. And its the property management companies that are the worst, not private landlords.

I'm an attorney with legal aid, so I hear about this situation all the time. People really do think the rent has been erased, not delayed, and its going to be a bloodbath.