Tuesday, December 08, 2009

KC Legal Aid Pushes To Fight Off Illegal Foreclosure Evictions As Lenders Continue Ignoring Federal Tenant Protection Law

In Kansas City, Missouri, The Pitch reports:
  • Word on the street [...] is that some lenders aren't complying with the new law [that requires lenders who foreclose on rental properties to give their tenants at least 90 days to move out -- or even longer, in some cases].(1) It was designed to protect renters, but lenders can still get away with unlawful evictions if renters aren't aware of their rights.

  • [Executive Director of Legal Aid of Western Missouri(2) Gregg] Lombardi sent out an e-mail this week to the heads of charitable organizations all over Kansas City, asking that they encourage people who think they may be unlawfully forced out of foreclosed rental properties to call Legal Aid for help. "We are eager to take on cases to stop these unlawful evictions," Lombardi wrote in the email.

For the story, see Legal Aid is looking for renters facing eviction from foreclosed properties.

(1) The new federal law requires lenders taking title to foreclosed homes respect any existing tenant leases, and provide at least 90 days notice when vacating month-to-month renters. See Section 702(a)(2) of the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009.

(2) Legal Aid of Western Missouri is a non-profit law firm providing essential legal services to low-income citizens living below the poverty level in a 40 county area in western Missouri.