View or download a PDF of the letter here.

AFREF submitted a comment letter supporting the National Consumer Law Center’s petition urging the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to define residential real estate leases as “credit” and landlords as “creditors” under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, so that (1) landlords will be required to give a statement of reasons when rejecting rental applicants and (2) the CFPB’s proposed rule to ban medical debt from appearing on credit reports will be extended to credit reports used for tenant screening.

This petition for rulemaking addresses important components of the ongoing legacy of structural racism in credit and residential housing for people of color seeking rental leases to shelter their families and build a foundation for economic stability.