Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Extend Forbearance for Multifamily Property Owners

The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac (the Enterprises) are allowing servicers to extend forbearance agreements for multifamily property owners with existing forbearance agreements for up to three months, for a total forbearance of up to six months.

While the properties are in forbearance, the landlord must suspend all evictions for renters unable to pay rent. The forbearance extension is available for qualified properties with an Enterprise-backed multifamily mortgage experiencing a financial hardship due to the coronavirus national emergency.

If a forbearance is extended, once the forbearance period concludes the borrower may qualify for up to 24 months to repay the missed payments.

Additionally, if the forbearance is extended, the repayment schedule is modified, or a new forbearance agreement is executed, the borrower is required to provide the following tenant protections during the repayment period:

• Give the tenant at least a 30-day notice to vacate;
• Not charge the tenant late fees or penalties for nonpayment of rent; and
• Allow the tenant flexibility to repay back rent over time and not in a lump sum.

View the FHFA news release. For further information, contact Michelle Kitchen at NAHB at 1-800-368-5242 x8352.