Federal Eviction Moratorium Compensation Claims Face Tightening Deadlines

Rental property owners who suffered financial losses due to the federal eviction moratorium during the COVID-19 pandemic are seeing renewed legal activity as the statute of limitations for claims against the U.S. government begins to expire. Legal experts note that the six-year window for filing claims under the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clause started to diminish as of September 2026.

The core of the legal argument rests on the assertion that the government's restriction on evictions effectively constituted a "taking" of private property for public use without just compensation. While previous government efforts to provide relief through rental assistance programs were intended to mitigate these losses, many landlords argue these measures were insufficient to cover the full scope of unpaid rent and property management costs incurred during the moratorium.

Property owners are encouraged to consult with legal counsel to determine if they qualify for participation in emerging class action lawsuits. Because the statute of limitations is now actively closing, the window for potential claimants to join or initiate litigation is becoming increasingly narrow, making timely action critical for those seeking to recover past losses.