If You’re Forced To Evacuate, Do You Still Need To Pay Your Bills?
Written by
Cynthia Measom
Edited by
Jasmine Browley
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The Los Angeles-area wildfires affected thousands, with many fearing for their safety and health. However, what some people haven’t considered is the financial aftermath the evacuated are left to grapple with. An overlooked reality is that many who were forced to leave their homes during a natural disaster are still obligated to pay many of their housing-related bills.
However, there are legal protections and relief options available for those grappling with unexpected living costs.
Mortgage Payments
Unfortunately, if you’re forced to evacuate because a disaster damages your home, you’ll still be required make your mortgage payments, according to USAGov. However, you might be able to get forbearance, which is a form of temporary relief. Call your mortgage servicer to learn more information.
Forbearance allows you to pause or reduce mortgage payments for three to six months, usually for up to one year. This option is available for federally backed loans, such as those from the Department of Veterans Affairs Home Loan Program or the Federal Housing Administration. It’s also available for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Some large private lenders, such as JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, may offer disaster forbearance, too.
During forbearance, late fees and penalties are typically suspended, but you’ll still owe the missed payments later either in the form of a lump sum, spread out over a few months or added to the overall balance of your loan. If you are unable to manage repayment within the current terms of your loan, your mortgage lender may work with you to modify the loan’s repayment timeline or interest rate.
Rent
Whether or not your rent payments are still due while evacuating can be contingent on the state and county you reside in.
For example, Los Angeles residents that are suffering from minor home damages are still required to pay rent and the landlord is typically required to make the necessary repairs quickly. However, if the home is partially damaged, tenants can either end the rental agreement and find another home or keep renting and wait for the landlord to make repairs. If the home is irreparable, the rental agreement is void. Any prepaid rent and security deposit must be returned, according to California law.
Utility Payments
As long as utility services are being delivered to the home, the tenant is responsible for the bill. If your home is damaged and you are no longer living in it, contact your utility company and ask them to suspend your utility services. If you need to keep the utilities on but can’t afford to pay the bill, contact your state’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for assistance.
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