Lyon County justice courts suspend eviction and foreclosure proceedings

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Lyon County’s three justice courts issued an administrative order Friday afternoon that effectively suspends all non-emergency evictions and foreclosure proceedings, in response to the Governors Declaration of Emergency Directive 008 regarding evictions.

The administrative order, signed by Walker River Justice of the Peace Douglas Kassebaum, Dayton Township Justice of the Peace Camille Vecciarelli and Canal Township Justice of the Peace Lori Matheus, is effective immediately and stays the consideration of all eviction and foreclosure matters with the exception of emergency applications and other specific exceptions.

According to the order staying consideration of these matters means that through the end of the stay, the courts will not accept complaints for summary eviction or unlawful detainer, hold hearings, rule upon or issue dispositive orders or writs of restitution regarding evictions or foreclosures. It further states that, consistent with the Governors Emergency Directive, the courts will reject any eviction complaints that do not stem from an emergency, such as threats by a tenant or resident to public health, criminal activity or significant damage to property. That a tenant has tested positive for COVID-19 or been exposed to the coronavirus does not serve as the basis for establishing that a tenant or a resident seriously endangers the safety of others.

The order does not prevent a tenant who is able to pay all of some of their rent in a timely manner, or relieve the tenant for the liability for unpaid rent.

Tenants may still file complaints and motions for failure to return a deposit, expedited relief for illegal lockouts, failure to provide essential services, contesting personal property liens and to retrieve essential items.

The order will remain in effect until the Declaration of Emergency is terminated or Emergency Directive 008 is rescinded or modified by the governor, whichever comes first.