New law gives Foreclosed Tenants rights to stay!

What is the fundamental issue?
S. 896, the “Helping Families Save Their Homes Act of 2009” included some provisions to protect tenants from eviction as a consequence of a foreclosure affecting the property being rented. Many examples were seen of families living in rental housing throughout the United States who were evicted without any prior notice when the home where they had lived was foreclosed upon. Much of the time, the rental family had no idea the home was in delinquency or subject to foreclosure until their eviction.

I'm a Realtor®. What does this mean to my business?
Notification will have to be provided to tenants of rental housing before they can be evicted following a foreclosure.

NAR Policy:
NAR supports programs to reduce the impact of foreclosure on communities.

Legislative/Regulatory Status/Outlook:

Under the new law, which went into effect on May 20th, tenants will have to receive 90-days notice prior to being evicted, when their rental home is foreclosed upon. In addition, tenants must be allowed to stay in the property through the end of their lease, with two exceptions:* The new owner wants to occupy the property as a personal residence, and* There is no lease (month to month), or there is a lease but state law allows the lease to be terminated at any time upon notice.Even under these exceptions, the tenants must be given 90-days before they can be evicted. Notification must be provided by the “immediate successor in interest”. In some cases, this notification will come from the bank (when they assume the home), and in other cases it may be the new owner. Much will depend upon state law. A number of states have existing laws protecting tenants. This law will preempt existing state law, except where the state law offers greater protection.The protections of this law apply only to “bona fide” tenants – who have a written contract, the lease was the result of an arms-length transaction, and the rent is not substantially less than the fair market rent for the property. Under any conditions, tenants may still be evicted if they violate the lease terms.These provisions expire on December 31, 2012.

NAR July 7, 2009


Is this fair to the new owner lender?
Perceptively, this law will force the new owner lender who has foreclosed on the property to carry the property for a greater length of time without compensation for their initial investment resulting in greater financial loss.

Is it fair to displace a tenant who has paid to stay?
In circumstances of paying rent up front, then being forced from a home you’ve already paid for, most would agree is also unfair.

Other than educating the consumer or making laws that prohibit collecting rent in advance of occupancy, is there a better solution? Your thoughts?