In Bedford County, where a lack of renter protections has already been uncovered (Channel 2 News Report on Rental Conditions in Shelbyville, TN and NPR report from January 2020), the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to surface an even more critical need for clarity about eviction laws now that the Supreme Court has restricted landlords from filing evictions until April 30 for now.

We are getting an increasing number of tenants that fear retaliation for reporting, but who are reporting being harassed by landlords with threats of landlords not making repairs, shutting off power, or changing locks. 

Our report revealed a pattern of landlords flouting state law and using illegal self help methods, such as turning off electricity and changing locks.

During the pandemic, landlords are still using this threatening behavior that is terrifying to tenants who have been laid off, had work hours reduced, and who have been told to stay home by state and local government. These tenants are being threatened with eviction and losing their electricity. It is  immoral and to take these actions would be illegal. 

The county and city, Mayor Chad Graham and City manager Shanna Boyette have chosen not to make a statement despite numerous emails and calls from residents. The city and county’s only response has been to say this is a civil court issue, and they do not have the power or authority to stop or prevent these actions. We know they have more power than they say they do to call for renter protections. We publically call on our city and county to do the moral thing and stand up for some of the most vulnerable residents in Bedford County. 

A Bedford county renter said “My landlord shut off the power to my home in late March, during COVID, and when I called the police, the city, and the county  they said they could not help. They made me feel like I was the one in the wrong, instead of the victim.”

Shelbyville renter Danielle says “My power was shut off and I will not stand by and let this company treat people like this during a pandemic. I will stand up for myself and my neighbors. This is the time to pull together. I will speak about this publically.”  

Reports that we are received to through social media include:

• Multiple tenants having the power shut off to the homes by the property management without a court order as reported verbally to us and on Facebook 

• Being offered verbally in person at their doors, without PPE,  money to move out right now if they can not pay their rent, these offers are not in writing and people report fear of COVID and fear that it is a trick or scam

• Over 10 residents of one company have sent us pictures of their eviction notices and report the office knocking on their doors without PPE and asking for money.

We are in a state of emergency with COVID-19 and it is a public health nuisance to evict tenants as is expressed by the tn state supreme court putting out an order that expressly prohibits eviction to filed for non-payment.

The small infrastructure set up in this county to help people with their housing costs is over burdened right now. Bedford county and Shelbyville already has high levels of poverty, according to the United Way ALICE report, 24% of families with children are at poverty level and another 28% are the working poor just above poverty and rampant abuse by landlords.