Texas Eviction Resources for an Uncertain Time

Icons made by Eucalyp from Flaticon.

Icons made by Eucalyp from Flaticon.

On March 28, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) extended the order halting certain residential evictions through June 30, 2021. However, an emergency order from the Texas Supreme Court “that instructed judges across Texas how to follow the federal mandate expired March 31.” While the ramifications of this are unclear, the Texas Justice Court Training Center updated its “CDC Moratorium FAQ and Forms” on April 5, 2021, to say:

“The process related to the CDC eviction moratorium in Texas eviction cases has been governed by the Texas Supreme Court's Emergency Orders, not the specific text of the CDC order itself. Nothing in the text of the moratorium itself (click here to read the moratorium) specifically directs or forbids courts to take any action.

“Instead, it directs landlords to not evict tenants that are covered by the moratorium. It also provides civil and criminal penalties for landlords who violate the moratorium, but that is a matter between the tenant, the landlord, and potentially a federal prosecutor. It is not a matter that a justice court can or should enforce in the absence of authority from the Texas Supreme Court.” (Emphasis in original.)

If you are a Texas resident who is facing eviction, the following resources might be useful: