Foreclosure eviction is a process of recovering the monies owed to the secured creditor, usual banks in case of failure in the payment of the debts. This process is used when house owners do not the debts or declare their inability to repay them. The eviction is preceded by a notice showing the details of it. Here, the process of foreclosure eviction and its consequences on the innocent tenants, are viewed from a fundamentalist perspective; that is everything that happens in society is interdependent. “According to the functionalist perspective, also called functionalism, each aspect of society is interdependent and contributes to society’s functioning as a whole.” (The major perspective in sociology: The functionalist perspective, 2008). However, there are rumors that in many cases, the notice that the procedure will soon begin, is not given to house owners. In such situations, the owners are not aware of it, until the action begins and then they are helpless. Sometimes, the houses are given for rent and the people in the house will be the tenants. They might have absolutely no idea whether the owner makes regular repayment or not. When the procedure suddenly begins, they are very often, taken aback. The tenants lose their homes even when they pay the rent on due. Similar situations affect them in many ways. This can be understood when viewed from a fundamentalist perspective.
The main problem is that they become homeless even when there is no fault on their side. The tenants are often families and even the women and kids in the families are thrown onto the roads. Being thrown onto the roads with women and children has a major element of insecurity in it. When it is not safe enough even inside our own homes, how can a family live on the roadside? This will lead to psychological problems like depression. The irony in this is that while the Government’s policy is to safeguard the lives of all the individuals in the society, such action only makes them insecure. It is the psychological health of a person that makes him behave well in society. The injustice shown to them will naturally make the families indignant. This makes them question the actions of the Government, turning them into anti-socials or rebels. Even the tenant’s anger towards the house owner can lead to fights and crimes.
The above discussed is just one situation. A second case to be discussed is the problem of finding another house. Suppose the family was new to the city and so has no friends in the place. It is near to impossible to get another house on the same day. This makes it necessary to stay in a hotel until a house is ready. When staying in a hotel, all their belongings cannot be taken with them. So, the ones with less priority will have to be sold. There is no market for second-hand items that thus he incurs a loss. Staying in a hotel too requires a lot of money and since it is for an indefinite period, if it takes too long a time to find a house, he will have to spend his savings for paying bills in the hotel.
A third issue occurs after he takes another house for rent. Since the situation demands urgency, the tenant will decide on a house only half satisfied. The rent may not come under his budget, or the house may not be as spacious as the other one. Then the family will have to compromise on how they live or what they use in the house. They will have to buy everything that they sold for higher rates. Apart from all these, such tensions might affect the concentration of working members in the family, which is an extra complication they will have to deal with.
This eviction process done without giving notice to tenants is being unfair to them. There must some alternative to ensure the security of their families.
References
The major perspective in sociology: The functionalist perspective. (2008). Cliff Notes.