According to chief judge Pamela White-Colbert, landlords have filed 64 new cases since August 23.
MACON, Georgia – Evictions begin this week in central Georgia and the US after the Supreme Court last week ended state eviction moratoriums.
We spoke to a judge and a woman who packed up on Monday.
Karon Bezold cleans up and moves out.
“God knows I’ll miss this place,” said Bezold.
She defaulted on her rent last winter.
“It wasn’t my fault that I am behind on my rent. It was a heating problem,” said Bezold.
Her landlords took her to court in July and August, but the CDC’s eviction moratorium protected her.
That was until Thursday when the US Supreme Court lifted the moratorium.
“I got a banner on my cell phone around 10 am and said, ‘Oh, OK, sir,'” said Bezold.
The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office delivered an eviction notice to Bezold on Friday.
She had to move out at 2 p.m. on Monday.
Bezold said, “My lawyer, we’ve talked about it quite a bit. I expected it, but I wasn’t expecting it anytime soon!”
According to chief judge Pamela White-Colbert, landlords have filed 64 new cases since Aug. 23, and at least three landlords have called after the moratorium ended.
“Some have taken the position, ‘I’m not going to look for the money. I just want to own the house.’ Some have said, ‘I don’t want to join the Georgia Rental Assistance Program, which is a volunteer program,’ “White-Colbert said.
White-Colbert recommends drawing up a rental agreement between the tenant and landlord, or finding a hotel or a family friend.
Bezold plans to move to another house just up the street for half the rent she previously paid.
“I don’t blame them for that. I don’t blame anyone. I’m a victim of circumstances, just like them,” said Bezold.
Bibb County’s eviction court resumes Friday.
Tenants whose evacuation process has been paused due to the moratorium will be notified of a new eviction date.
In Bibb County, that’s about 400 cases getting new court dates.
White-Colbert hopes to review most of them in September, but if they fall behind they will reevaluate their calendar.
She says it is up to Congress to pass a law to stop or renew it.
33 people should appear before the eviction court on Monday.
That is according to White-Colbert.
The United Way of Central Georgia brings people together with organizations to help them apply for rental assistance while they face an eviction.
Here are a few: Family Advancement Ministries and Georgia Legal Services Program.