Following are common questions and answers for tenants whose landlord’s building is being foreclosed.
NO. Don’t panic. No one can force you to move out without a court order. If your landlord loses the building through a foreclosure, you become a tenant of the new owner. The new owner must go through a court eviction process to make you move out.
Under Massachusetts law, leases are generally ended by the foreclosure, and you then become a “tenant-at-will”. That means you are not a trespasser, and you do not have to leave immediately. If the new owner wants you to move, the new owner must give you a notice. If you do not leave by the end of the notice period, the new owner must go to court to request the court’s permission to evict you.
YES. Under Massachusetts law, leases of tenants whose rent is subsidized under either a state or federal program are no- tended by the foreclosure. The new owner will have to follow the lease terms in order to make you move.
Massachusetts law makes clear that your tenancy is not automatically ended by the foreclosure. You are still a tenant. The new owner will have to follow the usual procedures (i.e. provide a notice to quit, go to housing court, etc.) to make you leave.
Not necessarily. Take a hard look at what you are being offered. You often may do better by waiting and going to court. Offers of “cash for keys” are not official programs, and you do not have to agree to them. Is the money being offered you enough to move (first and last month’s rent, security deposit, moving costs, utility hook-ups etc.)? Do you have a decent and affordable place to move to? If not, going through court will usually give you more time to find another place. You may have claims against the new owner, or be able to negotiate for more money.
Yes. You can ask the court for up to six months to leave, or up to a year if you are at least 60 years old or disabled, provided you are not being evicted for non-payment of rent or for other misconduct, and you have been unable to find another place to live.
YES. After a foreclosure, the new owner is responsible for the same things as the old owner. If the old owner was responsible for certain utilities, then the new owner is too. If repairs are needed, notify the new owner in writing, and keep a copy. If you don’t know who the new owner is, get in touch with anyone who may have given you papers about the foreclosure. It might be a real estate agent or a lawyer for the new owner. It’s also a good idea to call your local code enforcement agency if you are encountering any problems with the new owner concerning repairs or utilities.
YES. That will preserve your right to ask the court for more time to move. If the new owner doesn’t accept your rent, save the money and do not spend it. Offer to pay your rent in a letter to the new owner, or their agent, and keep a copy for your records. Don’t pay rent to the old landlord once there has been a foreclosure sale.
