Sen. Warnock's ban on private equity firms buying single-family homes becomes federal law

[iluvtennis]

Last edited Tue Jul 14, 2026, 01:21 PM - Edit history (1)

https://www.cbsnews.com/atlanta/news/sen-warnocks-ban-on-private-equity-firms-buying-single-family-homes-becomes-federal-law/

One of Sen. Raphael Warnock's highest-profile housing proposals has officially become federal law, marking a significant policy change aimed at slowing corporate ownership of single-family homes in Georgia and across the country.

Warnock announced Saturday that his provision prohibiting large private equity firms from purchasing additional single-family homes took effect after the broader bipartisan housing package became law without President Donald Trump's signature.

Under the Constitution, legislation passed by Congress can become law if the president neither signs nor vetoes it within the required 10-day window while Congress remains in session.

The provision is included in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which lawmakers have described as the most significant federal housing reform package in decades.

The legislation also includes measures intended to increase housing supply, modernize the appraisal process, expand rural housing programs and encourage local governments to build more housing.

"I hear from Georgians across the state who have been clamoring for action from Washington on the affordable housing crisis, and this legislation is proof that when we center the people instead of the politics, we can get good policy done," Warnock said in a statement.

>>>> ARTICLE CONT'D at link

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Does this legislation apply to states other than Georgia??

postscript: Got answer to this question from many of you, so strking this out. Thanks again DU family.

[hlthe2b]

1. Phenomenal Senator Warnock!

[at140]

2. Does this bill include Condo's?

or only single family houses.

[moreland01]

11. From everything I've read,

it only applies to single family homes. Specifically, "a provision in the bill would cap the number of single-family homes that institutional investors can buy across the U.S. at 350 properties.". I believe if a company already owns 5,000 homes, they can keep them but they can't add to their portfolio since they're already over 350.

"How the New Rules Work"
The Acquisition Ban: While companies do not have to divest their current portfolios, the legislation strictly prohibits entities that own 350 or more single-family homes from purchasing additional properties off the existing market.Exceptions for New Builds: Large investors are still permitted to operate "build-to-rent" programs and construct new homes. However, homes acquired through many of these exemptions must be sold to an individual buyer within 7 years.

[at140]

32. Thank you for

that information!

[rampartd]

3. must the big guys sell their holdings?.

i wonder how they would game that.

oh, the easy way. donate some gold for the ballroom.

[moreland01]

13. No.

How the New Rules WorkThe Acquisition Ban: While companies do not have to divest their current portfolios, the legislation strictly prohibits entities that own 350 or more single-family homes from purchasing additional properties off the existing market.Exceptions for New Builds: Large investors are still permitted to operate "build-to-rent" programs and construct new homes. However, homes acquired through many of these exemptions must be sold to an individual buyer within 7 years.

[angrychair]

4. Yes

Does this legislation apply to states other than Georgia??

Please educate me DU as it's not clear from the article.

Yes, this is now federal law and applies to all 50 states.

This is amazing news and I could not be more excited 😊

[iluvtennis]

6. Excellent - thanks @angrychair. Much appreciated. n/t

[QueerDuck]

5. That's great! It will be interesting to see if anyone tries to take credit for it.

Well... not "if" actually, I should have said "who".

[Sympthsical]

7. Huge step, a fantastic victory

Every Democrat running in November should make this a prominent part of the message. Housing affordability is killing people, and being seen as the party delivering on this will only have benefits.

[WorseDayEver]

8. Well the days of two people coming in to purchase your house with a heavy valise are over.

Seeing all those piled up, wrapped $100.00 was shocking.

[popsdenver]

9. A little late

they have all been buying up all kinds of real estate from single family homes, apartment houses, condos, etc for over a decade....

Not only THAT, but all the land they can buy everywhere.....

BTW......Interesting Fact, the person who just became the owner of the most land in the entire U.S. is the guy who owns the Colorado Avalanche, the Denver Nuggets, and many other Professional Sports Teams. Kroenke is married to one of the Walton Clan.
Others in the Walton Clan just bought the Denver Broncos........

[BannonsLiver]

16. Luckily Sen Warnock isn't a defeatist.

I suppose it would have been pretty easy for him to have just thrown his hands up and said “You know, it’s been 10 years. Why bother.” but he didn’t do that.

[xuplate]

10. They need to be banned from buying hospitals too.

[GiqueCee]

12. Private Equity is a cancer that should be banned from existing. nt

[The Madcap]

18. At the very least,

it should be subject to punishing taxation.

[MichMan]

20. Agreed

Individuals that want to invest in something shouldn't be allowed to join other partners.

[erronis]

14. There are some lawyers and lobbyists with loopholes awaiting.

This wouldn't have passed unless the big money people knew it would only help them in the end.

[Sogo]

15. The headline indicating it has become Federal Law means that it applies nation-wide, not just GA.

nt.

[iluvtennis]

24. TY 🙏 n/t

[buzzycrumbhunger]

17. Does nothing for other rentals, though

Last edited Mon Jul 13, 2026, 08:07 PM - Edit history (1)

Florida has become unaffordable because of these bastids. We were paying under $500 for a 2BR house. Cheapest we could find when it was sold out from under us? $1600 for a duplex! No wonder we’re all on the verge of homelessness.

[Scalded Nun]

19. Assuming I understand this correctly, this is a wonderful piece of legislation

I cannot wait to see just how many GOPers take credit for it.

[MichMan]

21. As long as they don't own more than 349 houses, they can continue buying.

[csusan]

22. Sounds great but

There's always somebody to rain on your parade. Can we for once just be happy that something helpful has passed. Sometimes in life it's baby steps. This is an awesome baby step thanks to senator warnock. Hopefully more steps to come in the future.

[MichMan]

23. Interesting

As of 2025, larger institutional investors — those that own more than 1,000 homes — owned a combined 500,000 properties, accounting for 0.34% of U.S. housing stock and roughly 3% of the total single-family rental supply, according to analysts with BofA Global Research.

[LymphocyteLover]

25. excellent news!

[Buddyzbuddy]

26. Start a new equity firm, new corporation and get another 300 properties.

And on and on. They need something that has teeth. Make owning more than 5-10 properties less profitable. High sales tax for owning more than
5-10 single family residences and 1-4 units. Make homeowners insurance a federal mandate, no more self insured. This would help lower the cost of homeowners insurance by making it mandatory for these investors to have equal skin in the game and spread the risk and profitability with insurance companies.

[MichMan]

28. If an elderly homeowner with no mortgage doesn't want homeowners insurance

They should be forced to buy it ?

What if they can barely afford property taxes, so they elect to not get homeowners insurance? Require them to sell and move then?

[Buddyzbuddy]

29. You're correct. This should apply to investors of properties

amounting to more than 5-10 SFR or income property with 1-4 units.

[underpants]

27. Truly outstanding. This entire bill was passed very bipartisan in both houses

Way to go Sen. Warnock

[live love laugh]

30. Federal law should apply nationwide.

[live love laugh]

31. Republicans will try to steal credit.