The CARES Act may impose additional requirements for landlords serving notices to terminate a tenancy. If your rental property is covered by the CARES Act you must give at least 30 days’ notice to your tenant for nonpayment of rent. Whether this applies to other types of notices (such as nuisance, for example) is an open legal question with court results varying.

The CARES Act is the subject of a pending Washington Court of Appeals case. As the CARES Act is a federal law, it has been and will continue to be litigated in other court systems around the country.

If your rental property has an FHA or Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or other federally-backed loans, or your tenant receives Section 8 your property is covered by the CARES Act. The CARES Act applies in other less common scenarios as well.

If your property may be covered by the CARES Act it is best to have an attorney advise you from the beginning.