New renters’ rights in foreclosure

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Renters are now afforded the right to remain in their homes for the duration of their lease - even if the home is being foreclosed on.

President Obama signed the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009 (S. 896) into law on May 20.

The new law provides renters with a minimum of 90 days notice before they must vacate the property. If a buyer plans to use the foreclosed property as his primary home, or the tenant's lease is month to month, or if there is no lease at all the tenant is entitled to at least 90 days notice. If there is a lease tenants will be allowed to stay for the duration of the lease before evictions can proceed. If a state offers greater protections to renters, the new law allows the stronger protections to apply. These new renters' rights also apply to Section 8 tenants.

These new tenant protections are effective immediately and expire Dec 31, 2012.

For more information contact: the National Low Income Housing Coalition www.nlihc.org