Gov. Andrew Cuomo again extended the temporary use of remote electronic notarization in New York state — this time until Jan. 29 – and has signed a bill extending the moratorium on residential evictions until May 1.
Remote electronic notarization
Credit unions across the state have been utilizing remote electronic notarization services as a result of a March 2020 Executive Order and subsequent extensions that temporarily authorized this technology.
As previously reported, supporting legislation to enact remote electronic notarization is among the Association’s advocacy priorities. In light of the outbreak of COVID-19 in New York State, the Association sees remote electronic notarization as an urgent resource that must be continued. The legislation would significantly reduce the number of direct physical interactions that would otherwise be necessary as New York reopens, and provides notaries to rural areas without previous access to these resources.
Moratorium on residential evictions
The latest extension prohibiting residential evictions due to impacts related to COVID-19 is now May 1, 2021.
Tenants must submit a hardship declaration, or a document explaining the source of the hardship to prevent evictions, according to the governor’s website.
The legislation also helps tenants facing eviction and mortgagors facing foreclosure proceedings due the pandemic related to
- foreclosure proceedings;
- tax lien sales;
- credit discrimination/negative credit reporting; and
- senior citizens’ and disabled homeowner exemptions.
Cuomo first signed the Tenant Safe Harbor Act on June 30, 2020 creating a temporary moratorium on residential evictions as well as additional legislation providing financial assistance to residential renters and landlords.
Additional details about the residential eviction moratorium extension can be found in New York Credit Union Association Senior Vice President/General Counsel Henry Meier’s blog, New York’s State of Mind.