Page last updated: 07/16/2020

If you’re a roommate or renter you’ve probably got a few questions about how the pandemic might affect things like paying your rent, finding a new home, and even staying healthy while sharing your home.

We’ve put together some helpful guides to answer some of these questions – just click through the links below. We’ll be updating these pages regularly to make sure all information and advice is accurate, and includes any new developments you need to know about.

Advice for self isolating when you live with roommates

Your rights as a renter during the COVID-19 crisis

How to keep your apartment hunt going during this time

How to get emergency rental assistance if you live in New York

We strongly advise you to keep an eye on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for all of the latest advice and guidelines to follow right now.

Take steps to protect yourself:

Clean your hands often

• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.
• If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub them together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.

Avoid close contact

Avoid close contact with people who are sick

Stay home as much as possible

Put distance between yourself and other people

• Remember that some people without symptoms may be able to spread virus.
• Keeping distance from others is especially important for people who are at higher risk of getting very sick.

Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face cover when around others

• You could spread COVID-19 to others even if you do not feel sick.
• Everyone should wear a cloth face cover when they have to go out in public, for example to the grocery store or to pick up other necessities.
• Cloth face coverings should not be placed on young children under age 2, anyone who has trouble breathing, or is unconscious, incapacitated or otherwise unable to remove the mask without assistance.
• The cloth face cover is meant to protect other people in case you are infected.
• Do NOT use a facemask meant for a healthcare worker.
• Continue to keep about 6 feet between yourself and others. The cloth face cover is not a substitute for social distancing.

Cover coughs and sneezes

• If you are in a private setting and do not have on your cloth face covering, remember to always cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow.
• Throw used tissues in the trash.
• Immediately wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, clean your hands with a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.

Clean and disinfect

• Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
• If surfaces are dirty, clean them: Use detergent or soap and water prior to disinfection.

Stay safe, stay home and take care. ✨

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Although we endeavour to keep our coronavirus (COVID-19) content as accurate and as up to date as possible, the situation is rapidly changing, so please refer to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the latest advice and information.