CFPB and FTC Vow to Fight Illegal Evictions

By Kerry Smith

The agencies say they’ll make sure landlords comply with the law, in part by “monitoring consumer complaints for spikes and trends in potential COVID-related violations.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Acting Director Dave Uejio and Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Acting Chairwoman Rebecca Slaughter issued a joint statement regarding the eviction moratorium that was recently extended to the end of June.

The duo’s statement says their agencies will investigate renters’ claims of illegal evictions or eviction threats.

“We have directed our staff to investigate eviction practices, particularly by major multistate landlords, eviction management services and private equity firms, to ensure that they are complying with the law,” the joint statement says.

“Evicting tenants in violation of the CDC, state or local moratoria, or evicting or threatening to evict them without apprising them of their legal rights under such moratoria, may violate prohibitions against deceptive and unfair practices,” it continues. Those violations could include offenses under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Federal Trade Commission Act.

“We will not tolerate illegal practices that displace families and expose them – and by extension all of us – to grave health risks,” the add.

A recent CFPB report found that over 11 million families were behind on rent or mortgage payments: 2.1 million families are behind at least three months on mortgage payments, while 8.8 million are behind on rent.

The CFPB and FTC are working with CDC to make renters aware of their rights under the eviction moratorium. They’re also providing information to renters on how they complete declarations needed to stop evictions. In addition, they say they’re monitoring consumer complaints for spikes and trends in potential COVID-related violations that may require CFPB or FTC action.

Renters who wish to learn more about potential evictions are directed to the joint website hosted by multiple government agencies, consumerfinance.gov/renters.

© 2021 Florida Realtors®

Reprinted with permission.

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