Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (PTFA). This act took effect on May 20, 2009 the day it was signed into law by President Obama, and consists of two sections designed to ensure that tenants residing in foreclosed properties are not abruptly displaced from their units.

HUD Notice PIH 2009-17 provides an overview of the two sections of the PTFA and explains how they apply to the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, other HUD programs, and unassisted residential properties. HUD seeks to ensure that individuals or entities that participate in HUD programs are aware of obligations imposed on immediate successors of interest in any residential property pursuant to a foreclosure to provide tenants residing in such property, including but not limited to tenants with Section 8 rent assistance, with at least 90 days advance notice if the need to vacate the property, where the successor desires to have the tenants vacate.

Link to HUD Notice PIH 2009-17: http://www.hud.gov/offices/adm/hudclips/notices/pih/files/09-17pihn.pdf