June 1. Gov. Roy Cooper has extended for another three weeks the prohibition of utility shut-offs and the moratorium on evictions in North Carolina due to the coronavirus.

“Extending housing and utility protections will mean more people can stay in their homes and stay safe as we all work to slow the spread of this virus,” Cooper said.

Attorney General Josh Stein said unprecedented times call for unprecedented action “to ensure that people do not face homelessness in the midst of this health and economic crisis.”

Tenants and customers are still ultimately responsible for making their rent and utility payments, but the new executive order gives them even more time. Read the FAQ document and the Executive Order 142.

The order does the following:

—Prevents landlords from initiating summary ejections or other eviction proceedings against a tenant for nonpayment or late payment of rent;

—Prevents landlords from assessing late fees or other penalties for late or nonpayment;

—Prevents the accumulation of additional interest, fees, or other penalties for existing late fees while this Order is in effect;

—Requires landlords to give tenants a minimum of six months to pay outstanding rent;

—Requires leases to be modified to disallow evicting tenants for reasons of late or nonpayments; and

—Makes clear that evictions for reasons related to health and safety can take place.

The Order’s utility shutoff moratorium:

—Continues effective immediately and lasts 60 days;

—Prohibits utility disconnections for all customers;

—Prohibits billing or collection of late fees, penalties, and other charges for failure to pay; and

—Extends repayment plans at least six months, and sets the default term for repayment to six months for cases when the utility and customer cannot agree on the terms of an extended repayment plan.