The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a joint statement on March 29 announcing that the agencies will monitor and investigate eviction practices to ensure landlords and property owners are complying with the federal, state, and local moratoriums. The statement acknowledges that major multistate landlords are evicting tenants despite the federal eviction moratorium or before tenants are aware of their rights. The CFPB and FTC will enforce penalties against landlords who violate the order.
The Biden administration announced on March 29 an extension of the federal eviction moratorium through June 30, 2021, and greater enforcement of the moratorium’s protections – two measures that will help keep millions of renters stably housed during the pandemic and prevent further spread of and deaths from COVID-19. Unfortunately, the administration did not strengthen the order to address the flaws that undermine its public health purpose. The Biden administration must strengthen the order and close the loopholes that some landlords have exploited to continue evicting renters from their homes and must ensure the moratorium’s protections are automatic and universal throughout the duration of the pandemic.
Renters can file complaints with the CFPB and the FTC against landlords who violate the eviction moratorium.
Access the CFPB complaint database at: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/complaint/
Access the FTC complaint database at: https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/#/?pid=B
Source: National Low Income Housing Coalition
