Relying on a public health law intended to prevent the spread of an illness, the Trump administration said Tuesday it is implementing a national four-month moratorium on residential evictions. 

To stop residential evictions, health officials are relying on the 1944 Public Health Service Act, which gives the administration broad quarantine powers. The moratorium, which will run through Dec. 31, applies to individuals earning less than $99,000 a year and who are unable to make rent or housing payments.

The order was issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and would make it illegal to evict any individual for non-payment of rent. The tenants would still be required to pay rent owed per the terms of the lease, but will be allowed to stay in their unit through the end of the year. There are several requirements that the resident must meet so it is even more important than ever to have a protocol in place.