TAMPA, Fla.–In a somewhat sad irony, gig workers have been among those hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic, with many falling behind on rent and mortgage payments. Now a start-up is looking for gig workers to help landlords with evictions.
The company, called Civvl, is a unit of OnQall, a Tampa-based mobile app that offers on-demand task services to non-urban communities, according to Vice.com. It has been advertising across the country regarding opportunities to “be hired as an eviction crew.”
“Seizing on a pandemic-driven nosedive in employment and huge uptick in number-of-people-who-can't-pay-their-rent, Civvl aims to make it easy for landlords to hire process servers and eviction agents as gig workers,” reported Vice.com.
According to Vice.com, in its Craigslist ads, posted across the country, Civvl explains the opportunity plainly: "There is plenty of work due to the dismal economy,” and "Unemployment is at a record high and many cannot or simply are not paying rent and mortgages. We are being contracted by frustrated property owners and banks to secure foreclosed residential properties."
‘Looking for Self-Motivated Individuals’
Vice.com notes Civvl aims to marry the gig economy with the devastation of a pandemic, complete with signature gig startup language like "be your own boss," and "flexible hours," and "looking for self-motivated individuals with positive attitudes:"
"FASTEST GROWING MONEY MAKING GIG DUE TO COVID-19," its website says, reported Vice.com. "Literally thousands of process servers are needed in the coming months due courts being backed up in judgements that needs to be served to defendants."
Vice.com reported that when it comes to the Civvl.app, in “negative reviews in the Google Play and App Store, users complain about a hidden $35 enrollment fee to access the platform, and a lack of work once signed up.”
Many Tenants Unaware of Options
Vice.com said at the time of its reporting, Civvl and OnQall did not return requests for comment, and further appear to have blocked the reporter’s IP address from visiting OnQall.com.
One organization representing tenants told Vice.com that while there are various prohibitions on evictions in place, many landlords have given the evictions little attention and that many tenants are not aware they need to sign a declaration form to prevent evictions in certain circumstances.