NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A new federal law is helping renters who find out their landlords have lost their property in a foreclosure sale, according to an attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee.

Special Section: Housing Crunch | Video: Families Face Move Due To Landlords' Foreclosure

Attorney DarKenya Waller told Channel 4 on Tuesday that there was very little protection for tenants prior to a federal law that took effect in May.

The Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act gives most renters at least 90 days before they have to move out, and, in some cases, tenants can stay until the end of their lease.

"If it is a financial institution that is regulated by the federal government, they have to honor the lease agreement that's there," Waller said.

The law is expected to help people like Susie Payne, who lives in a rented duplex in the Trinity Lane area. Payne signed a lease for her new apartment on Sept. 2, then came home to find a letter on her door from the new owner in late October. It said her family had to be out by Nov. 2.

Payne said her landlord never told her there was a foreclosure sale pending.

"He's a Christian," said Payne. "Christian people don't treat people like that."

Under the new law, Payne ought to be able to stay the full term of her lease, according to Waller.

The Robinsons have only lived in their duplex for about a month, but now they're under a deadline to find a new place.

"We do not want to be spending the holidays living in a hotel or with someone else," said Margaret Robinson. "We want our own home."

Waller said prospective tenants can protect themselves by doing to research on the property before signing a lease. She recommends getting a legal description of the property then going to the Register of Deeds office to check for any foreclosure proceedings.

Related Link:

• Click here to learn if a property that you are considering renting is in foreclosure.