Appellate court recognizes tenant protections of Federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act

toosoonIn a June 28, 2013 ruling, the second division of the Illinois Appellate Court for the First District reversed a lower court ruling granting summary judgment to a foreclosing bank evicting a tenant who had a bona fide lease.  In Fifth Third Mortgage Company v. Foster, a foreclosing bank served a 90 day notice on an occupying tenant pursuant to section 702(a)(2) of the Federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA) stating that the tenant would have to vacate within 90 days unless the tenant provided evidence to the landlord that the tenant was a bona fide tenant under the PTFA.

After the 90 day period expired, the bank filed its eviction lawsuit.  The defendant appeared in the case.  The bank brought and won a motion for summary judgment.  The appellate court reversed the lower court indicating that the tenant did, in fact, have a lease that had a termination date after the case had been filed.  As such, the appellate court ruled that the circuit court lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the case and could not proceed at the time it filed its action.

So basically, the appellate court indicated that Section 702 off the PTFA works the way we think it is supposed to work.  A tenant with a bona fide lease gets to stay to the end of the lease (provided they comply with the lease terms!)  But the case also helps point out just how logistically difficult and tricky it can be to work in post-foreclosure matters related to the PTFA.  Many landlords don’t have all of the facts necessary to make a determination of what to do and a landlord can be blindsided by a tenant who later produces a lease.

2 thoughts on “Appellate court recognizes tenant protections of Federal Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act”

  1. my leasre is dated from 12-12-2012 till 12-12-2013. my land lord was forclosed on, property bought by fannie may, I believe on 12-11-2012 when I recieved a notice from the Circuit court. case # 11-2009-CA-010929. From there I have recieved a notice from the orgenial owner dated 8-29-2013, a notice to rent termination to the month to month lease. Fl. Sta. 83 es. Seq. Effective the 29th day of August 2013. And for some reson unknown to me I have lost most of the water pressure, almost imposable to take a shower. What are my grounds here. They have changed the code to the gate and I have medical transport for Doctors apt. and a nurse ( three times a week) and my pastor form my that comes often, and they would not give him the code to the gate.
    I need to know where I stand in this. ASAP.
    Thank You
    XXXXXX
    phone for the deaf = 1-XXX-XXX-XXX then the land line XXX-XXX-XXX
    or my E-mail XXXXXXX@XXXXX.XXXX

    • Betty, from your message, it looks like you are in Florida and I am only licensed to practice law in Illinois (not that any response in the comments is legal advice!). In addition, our firm does not represent tenants in eviction/foreclosure related actions. You should contact an attorney local to you at once to learn and protect your rights.

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