Reader's Question:
I rent a home on Glendale's south side, *** (edited) Western Ave Glendale. I have rented this house for the past 2 years and have always paid my rent on time. Just after the New Year, I received a postcard in the mail that stated ____ could save my home from foreclosure. WHAT???? Every day since then, I have been receiving more and more letters in the mail addressed to my landlord. I haven't opened them since it is not addressed to me. One of the envelopes bares a red stamp that says "Foreclosure Prevention Tips Enclosed". I figure it's more of the same. Can you help me and let me know if this home is truly facing foreclosure? If so, can I stop paying rent?
Christian's Response:
Reader - I did run that address and without getting into too many details I can tell you that the property owner has not made the past several month's mortgage payments and the bank has started the foreclosure process.
I rent a home on Glendale's south side, *** (edited) Western Ave Glendale. I have rented this house for the past 2 years and have always paid my rent on time. Just after the New Year, I received a postcard in the mail that stated ____ could save my home from foreclosure. WHAT???? Every day since then, I have been receiving more and more letters in the mail addressed to my landlord. I haven't opened them since it is not addressed to me. One of the envelopes bares a red stamp that says "Foreclosure Prevention Tips Enclosed". I figure it's more of the same. Can you help me and let me know if this home is truly facing foreclosure? If so, can I stop paying rent?
Christian's Response:
Reader - I did run that address and without getting into too many details I can tell you that the property owner has not made the past several month's mortgage payments and the bank has started the foreclosure process.
That does not mean that the home will be foreclosed on nor does it mean that you can stop paying rent.
The homeowner does have the right to redeem the property and bring it current by making up the back payments or possibly completing a loan work out / modification.
Not to get into landlord and tenant law (as I am not an attorney) I can tell you that as a tenant you must continue to make rent payments on the home you lease regardless of a pending foreclosure action. I assume you signed a contract / lease with your landlord. That contract contains terms and conditions that must be met until terminated.
Rather than stop paying rent, I suggest that you communicate with your landlord.
Pick up the phone and ask him or her directly. Most times confronting the situation head on rather than questioning what will happen next is the better approach.
Hopefully, he or she will be honest with you and together you can both come a conclusion and solution that satisfies you both.
