Upside Down Mortgage

Posts Tagged ‘laws’

What is the US Department of Housing and Urban Development?

Fair housing is an important part of the federal laws and there has to be a federal department that makes sure that landlords or lenders comply with the laws. If you have a problem with mortgage companies or you think that you are being unfairly discriminated, then the US Department of Housing and Urban Development may be able to help you. Some people have never heard of this department of the government because they have not been or are not aware that they have been treated unfairly. Sometimes, they do not know what to do.

Enforcer of the Fair Housing Act

The Department of Housing and Urban Development enforces the Fair Housing Act and other federal laws that prohibit:

• discrimination and
• the intimidation of people in thier homes.

Fair housing is about equally access to rental housing and homeownership opportunities. That means, the law helps renters as well as homebuyers. It is illegal and in violation of federal laws for landlords to refuse to rent or sell homes to someone based on:

• race,
• color,
• nation origin,
• religion,
• sex,
• familial status or
• disability

Housing discrimination is illegal and the Dept of Housing and Urban Development will ensure fair housing for anyone seeking a place to live. Many homeowners with upside down mortgages were discriminated in ways that violate the Fair Housing Act.

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What can be done about predatory lending practices in the student loan industry?

I know that this blog is about upside down mortgage but I am seeking advice on predatory lending. I see that there are some posts and suggestions about predatory lending so I'm giving it a try. I'm a student with large student loans.

More and more students are graduating with loads of debt from "private lenders" (for examples Sallie Mae, Wells Fargo, Xpress Loans) who make loan terms unclear, and repayment plans ambiguous. These loans can rarely be consolidated, have high interest rates, are non-dischargeable in bankruptcy, and have very high payments.

(Predatory Lending Practices and Student Loans)

Congress is realizing that something must be done to alleviate the burden on the students that fell victim to these lending practices by the banks. What remedies do you think should be allotted these students? How do we fix problems within private lending so students can pay their loans while still maintaining a decent quality of life?