Congress locks down evictions and foreclosures during disasters for 120 days

What it does

This bill creates a 120-day eviction moratorium and 6-month foreclosure moratorium in areas hit by declared disasters. During these periods, landlords cannot file evictions for nonpayment, charge late fees, raise rent, or prevent tenants from returning; mortgage servicers cannot foreclose. Tenants who must vacate get 30 days' notice after the moratorium ends. The bill applies to all federally declared disasters going forward and those already in effect.

Why we flagged it

The bill's core function is straightforward tenant and homeowner protection during disaster recovery periods. It imposes temporary restrictions on eviction and foreclosure actions to prevent exploitation of disaster-displaced persons.

What the text implies

• The 120-day eviction moratorium may create a backlog of eviction filings immediately after the moratorium expires, potentially overwhelming courts and creating sudden displacement waves.
• Landlords unable to collect rent during the moratorium period may face cash-flow crises, potentially leading to deferred maintenance or property abandonment in lower-income disaster areas.
• The bill does not establish a rental-assistance or landlord-compensation mechanism, shifting the full financial burden of disaster recovery onto property owners rather than distributing it across federal/state/private sources.
• Foreclosure moratorium applies only to occupied properties, creating potential incentive for servicers to declare properties 'abandoned' to circumvent the restriction.
• No explicit provision addresses what happens to accrued unpaid rent or mortgage payments after the moratorium ends—tenants/homeowners may face sudden lump-sum demands.

Who it affects

Ordinary renters and homeowners facing displacement after disasters gain housing stability and protection from predatory rent increases or sudden eviction. The moratorium prevents landlords and servicers from exploiting disaster-displaced tenants during their most vulnerable period, though it imposes temporary costs on property owners.

Who stands to gain

• residential tenants and renters
• homeowners with mortgages
• disaster-affected households

Named in the bill

President, National Emergencies Act, Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, State Governors, District of Columbia Mayor, Indian Tribal governments, Fair Housing Act, Truth in Lending Act, residential landlords, mortgage servicers, PLD (Prologis), EFC (Ellington Financial) — and 3 more

Where it stands

4 cosponsors: 4 Democrats.

• Sep 3, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in House”
• Sep 3, 2025 — Referred to House Committee on Financial Services · Congress.gov: “Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.