LIEB BLOG

Legal Analysts

Saturday, March 28, 2020

Forbearance and Foreclosure Freeze in Coronavirus Stimulus

On March 27, 2020, the historic stimulus package known as the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security or “CARES” Act was enacted into law.

In addition to the relief enumerated in our recent blog (Nuts & Bolts of Stimulus Package - House Passes 2 Trillion Dollar Stimulus Package), the CARES Act also includes mortgage relief in the form of forbearance periods and foreclosure moratoriums for federally backed mortgages on 1-4 family homes and multifamily (5 or more) homes.

Which mortgages are covered?
  • Federally backed mortgage loans secured by a first or subordinate lien on residential real property (including individual units of condominiums and cooperatives) for 1- to 4-families and for on multifamily residential real property (5 or more dwelling units) are covered, these include loans:
  • insured by the Federal Housing Administration;
  • insured under section 255 of the National Housing Act;
  • guaranteed under section 184 or 184A of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992;
  • guaranteed or insured by the Department of Veterans Affairs;
  • guaranteed or insured by the Department of Agriculture;
  • made by the Department of Agriculture; or
  • purchased or securitized by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) or Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae).


What relief is available? 
For 1-4 family properties:
  • Forbearance period of 180 days, which may be extended for an additional 180 days, upon the borrower’s request;
  • No late fees, interest, or penalties during the forbearance period beyond those scheduled or calculated as if borrower is current on the mortgage; and
  • Foreclosure moratorium – servicers are prohibited from moving for a foreclosure judgment or order of sale, or execute a foreclosure-related eviction from March 18, 2020 to May 17, 2020;
For multifamily properties
  • Forbearance period of 30 days, which may be extended for up to 2 additional 30-day periods, upon the borrower’s request. Note that the forbearance is only applicable to multifamily mortgage loans that were current on payments as of February 1, 2020. Also, tenants may not be evicted nor issued a notice to vacate for nonpayment or late payment of rent during the forbearance period.
  • Foreclosure moratorium: servicers are prohibited from moving for a foreclosure judgment or order of sale, or execute a foreclosure-related eviction from March 18, 2020 to May 17, 2020. 


What is the process for requesting a forbearance?
  • For 1-4 family properties: Requests for a forbearance may be made by submitting a borrower’s attestation to a financial hardship caused by the COVID-19 emergency. No other documentation is required for the initial 180-day forbearance to be granted.
  • For multifamily properties: Requests for a forbearance may be submitted to the servicer orally or in writing, through an affirmation that the multifamily borrower is experiencing a financial hardship during the COVID-19 emergency.