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Dear FHFA,

I've been a renter my entire life, and do not anticipate ever being able to afford buying a home although I maintain an excellent credit score and have a college degree. Now in my 30s, I've rented in so many places where landlords abuse their power and where tenants have little to no de facto protections. For example, in a situation where black mold was present, a landlord refused to treat it and I experienced severe asthma on a daily basis. As I was not the landlord and as my lease was ending I had little protection to request a city inspection since my landlord might potentially withhold my security deposit even though the mold was present in the apartment and due to a structural leak and not from my tenancy.

Additionally, I've lived in places where landlords entered without permission even with state laws in place requiring 24 hours' written notice in advance. Most recently I moved into a rental where it was not previously disclosed that smoking was allowed indoors. All smoking inside residences should be banned, as the impact of smoking violates Fair Housing law. I was forced to move three times, once when my previous black mold-infested rental ended after a 10-month lease; then into a sublet where cigarette smoke saturated the dwelling, only noticeable after last tenants moved out with their very strong home perfumes and scented items while I wore a mask during both tours due to being immunocompromised; and finally paying double rent to live in a place where I could breathe. Moving so much meant that all of my belongings were effectively ruined. Even with renters insurance I could not recover my damaged property including furniture.

I'm currently sleeping on a floor in a new rental because I have not been able to financially recover from losing all of my things due to cigarette smoke, and manage asthma. Back in April I paid double rent, including a hefty security deposit for a new rental. As the majority of Americans only have about $400 in savings, I am no exception. This was a devastating blow.

There are so many ways in which abuse of power between landlords and tenants are used to silence and harm tenants that I cannot enumerate them all here.

But I hope that whatever suggestions are offered by other commenters are seriously considered. Everyone deserves safe, livable, healthy, affordable, quiet, peaceful housing that is stable, secure, and permanent. Everyone. I hope that the FHFA works to ensure that that becomes reality for everyone living in this country.

Thank you for your time, and best wishes,
Sydney Hoover