If you have questions about your NoRent letter(s), contact SAJE.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sending a letter to your landlord is a big step. Check out our frequently asked questions from people who have used our tool:
Letter Builder
Is this free?
Yes, this is a free website created by 501(c)3 non-profit organizations across the United States.
Do I have to go to the post office to mail my letter?
No, you can use this website to send a letter to your landlord via email or USPS mail. You do not have to pay for the letter to be mailed.
What does this tool do?
NoRent.org guides you through the process of notifying your landlord that you cannot pay the rent due to a COVID-19 related issue. We’ll also help you learn more about the rights that protect tenants in your state and refer you to resources to take legal or organizing action.
Is this tool right for me?
If you’re not able to pay the rent this month because of a COVID-19 related issue (i.e. employment changes, loss of income, medical expenses, or loss of childcare) this tool is for you. Although the rules for exercising your rights will vary by state, NoRent.org can help walk you through the complexities and connect you to resources.
Why should I notify my landlord if I can’t pay my rent?
In some states, in order to benefit from the eviction protections that elected officials have put in place you should notify your landlord of your non-payment for reasons related to COVID-19. In the event that your landlord tries to evict you, the courts may view this as a proactive step that helps establish your defense.
What does an eviction moratorium mean?
An “eviction moratorium” can mean something different in every jurisdiction, but in short, a moratorium temporarily pauses certain types of evictions.
The exact means by which this pause is enforced and the types of cases that are paused, varies across cities and states. Depending on the jurisdiction, courts may simply be closed or not processing eviction filings, sheriffs may not be enforcing eviction orders, or there may be some combination of these and other methods of suspending evictions.
NoRent.org will support you with the process of navigating these different rules. You can also read more about the tenant protections in your jurisdiction at the Anti-Eviction Mapping Project’s COVID-19 Emergency Tenant Protections & Rent Strikes Map.
What happens when the eviction moratorium ends?
Once a moratorium is lifted, eviction processes in courts and enforcement by local law enforcement may resume.
If we don’t win additional demands (such as a rent freeze and suspension of rent payments) before the end of these “eviction moratoriums”, then cases will restart, evictions will continue, and new cases will be filed.
We are working hard to push for an immediate rent freeze and rent suspension, among other demands. This is the time to organize! Get involved at cancelrent.us.
Is not paying my rent because of COVID-19 considered a “rent strike”?
There’s a difference between a “rent strike”, or withholding rent, and not paying rent. This letter notifies the landlord that you’re not paying rent due to financial impacts of COVID-19, which is a way of delaying rent payments now.
Withholding your rent, or a rent strike, is declaring that you will not pay the rent, regardless of whether you’re able to. This may put you at risk of legal eviction for failure to pay the rent. You should never withhold rent alone and should only do so when you have gotten the support and buy-in of everyone in your building.
While this is risky, withholding rent can be an important tactic for tenants to build a movement. If your neighbors are considering a rent strike, you may want to refer to the resources below on how to organize, and to contact organizations that have provided tools and resources.
Is there someone I can connect with after this to get help?
Connect to organizers through the Right to the City Alliance, a national alliance of organizers building the tenant movement since 2007. You can join their call for renters across the country to fight for the cancellation of rent at cancelrent.us.
You can also connect with your neighbors and organize your building to demand more by taking collective action. Read more about forming tenant unions and starting a rent strike at Rent Strike 2020: A Resource List.
How do I organize with other tenants in my building, block, or neighborhood?
The most important place to start is where you live. Connect safely with other tenants in your building or home and start by organizing a means of communicating with one another to find out what issues and needs you share in common.
If you’re facing an emergency, you can find further legal assistance in your state at LawHelp.org.
What if I live in a manufactured or mobile home?
Join a movement of manufactured homeowners who are standing together to make their communities affordable, healthy, safe, and beautiful places to live. Mobile Home/Manufactured Home Owners: Click here to join MHAction’s movement to hold corporate community owners accountable.
I'm scared. What happens if my landlord retaliates?
It’s normal to feel anxious or scared that your landlord will retaliate. If your landlord is harassing you, denying you repairs, or trying to illegally evict you, reach out to legal assistance at LawHelp.org and connect with tenant organizers at Right to the City Alliance.
What happens after I send this letter?
After you send this letter, your landlord may get in touch with you to ask for more information or discuss a repayment plan. Make sure all your communication is documented by letter, email, or text message. Avoid engaging in negotiation other than agreeing to pay a reasonable portion of your rent that you are sure you can afford without putting your health at risk. Don’t agree to move. You can find further legal assistance at LawHelp.org.
You should continue to collect documentation that shows you’ve been financially impacted by COVID-19.
Will I still owe my rent after I send this letter?
Yes, you’ll still owe rent after sending the letter because our state and federal governments have not adopted a rent cancellation policy. Call for cancellation of rent at cancelrent.us.
Help! My landlord is already trying to evict me.
If your landlord is trying to illegally evict you, reach out to legal assistance at LawHelp.org immediately.
What kind of documentation should I collect to prove I can’t pay rent?
While you wait for your landlord to respond, gather as much documentation as you can. Some types of documentation you can gather include:
Employer Letter: A letter from your employer or a co-worker citing COVID-19 showing job loss or hours reduction as a result of COVID-19.
Unemployment Benefits Documents: These are documents that show you’ve applied for or received benefits from the Employment Development Department.
Paystubs: These can be paychecks from before you were terminated or laid-off. If you have had a change in hours, you can send your paychecks before and after that change.
COVID-19 related expenses: These can be receipts showing that you have had increased expenses from issues resulting from the coronavirus, including childcare costs, expenses from complying with public health directives, or other related expenses.
Child’s Enrollment: This might be a notice that your child’s school has closed due to COVID-19. Evidence of your child’s enrollment may also be included.
Financial Statements: These can be budgets, bank statements, or personal records demonstrating how your income was interrupted by COVID-19 related disruption to your job or business. Be sure to avoid sending any sensitive personal financial information you may not want your landlord to view.
COVID-19 Medical records: This might include extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the diagnosis and testing for and/or treatment of COVID-19. Due to the sensitivity of medical records, you may not want to send these to your landlord. However, you should keep these expenses for your own record. This can be used as evidence in case you are asked in court proceedings to provide evidence of extraordinary out-of-pocket COVID-19-related medical expenses for you or a family member.
Other evidence of COVID-19 related financial impact: This can be any other evidence that demonstrates how COVID-19 has impacted your ability to pay rent.
How can I document my hardships related to COVID-19?
While you wait for your landlord to respond, gather as much documentation as you can. Some types of documentation you can gather include:
Employer Letter: A letter from your employer or a co-worker citing COVID-19 showing job loss or hours reduction as a result of COVID-19.
Unemployment Benefits Documents: These are documents that show you’ve applied for or received benefits from the Employment Development Department.
Paystubs: These can be paychecks from before you were terminated or laid-off. If you have had a change in hours, you can send your paychecks before and after that change.
COVID-19 related expenses: These can be receipts showing that you have had increased expenses from issues resulting from the coronavirus, including childcare costs, expenses from complying with public health directives, or other related expenses.
Child’s Enrollment: This might be a notice that your child’s school has closed due to COVID-19. Evidence of your child’s enrollment may also be included.
Financial Statements: These can be budgets, bank statements, or personal records demonstrating how your income was interrupted by COVID-19 related disruption to your job or business. Be sure to avoid sending any sensitive personal financial information you may not want your landlord to view.
COVID-19 Medical records: This might include extraordinary out-of-pocket medical expenses related to the diagnosis and testing for and/or treatment of COVID-19. Due to the sensitivity of medical records, you may not want to send these to your landlord. However, you should keep these expenses for your own record. This can be used as evidence in case you are asked in court proceedings to provide evidence of extraordinary out-of-pocket COVID-19-related medical expenses for you or a family member.
Other evidence of COVID-19 related financial impact: This can be any other evidence that demonstrates how COVID-19 has impacted your ability to pay rent.
How can I connect with a lawyer?
If you’re facing an emergency, you can find further legal assistance in your state at LawHelp.org.
How can I build collective power with other tenants?
The most important place to start is where you live. Connect safely with other tenants in your building or home and start by organizing a means of communicating with one another to find out what issues and needs you share in common.
