ML 2015-02 Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) Program: Policy Guidance and Certifications for Eligible and Ineligible Non-Borrowing HECM Spouses and Seasoning Requirements Guidance (01/09/15)

© HUD Single Family Housing Policy Handbook 4000.1

Purpose of Mortgagee Letter

Mortgagee Letter 2014-07 was issued pursuant to the authority of the Reverse Mortgage Stabilization Act of 2013. In response to comments received and subsequent events, and pursuant to the same authority, we are issuing this Mortgagee Letter amending and, only where it conflicts, superseding Mortgagee Letter 2014-07. The purpose of the Mortgagee Letter (ML) is to:

• Define a new type of Non-Borrowing Spouse, termed “Ineligible Non- Borrowing Spouse,” and provide guidance and model certification language mortgagees must use when there is an Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse.
• Provide new model certification language that mortgagees must use at origination and throughout ongoing HECM servicing for instances where there is an Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse. The certification language replaces language in Mortgagee Letter 2014-07.
• Provide new model Mortgage, Note and Loan Agreement language.
• Provide for a 30 day cure to reinstate a Deferral Period.
• Provide clarification and additional documentation for the “Seasoning Requirements for Existing Non-HECM Liens” Section of Mortgagee Letter 2014-07.

Effective Date

The Eligible and Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse requirements contained in this Mortgagee Letter may be implemented for all HECM case numbers assigned on or after January 12, 2015, and must be implemented for all HECM case numbers assigned on or after March 9, 2015.

The clarification and additional loan documentation guidance for Seasoning Requirements is effective for case numbers assigned on or after December 15, 2014.

Affected Topics

The Following Sections of HUD’s regulations and Mortgagee Letters are amended and where they conflict are superseded in accordance with this Mortgagee Letter:

Definitions

“Borrower” means the original borrower under a mortgage. The term does not include successors or assigns of a borrower.

“Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse” means a Non-Borrowing Spouse who does not meet the Qualifying Attributes requirements defined in ML 2014-07 for a Deferral Period.

“Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse” means a Non-Borrowing Spouse who meets the Qualifying Attributes requirements defined in ML 2014-07 for a Deferral Period.

Required Determination

At application, the mortgagee must identify any current Non-Borrowing Spouse and must determine if the Non-Borrowing Spouse is currently eligible or ineligible for a Deferral Period. This determination is a factual determination and cannot be changed or waived by any election. A Non- Borrowing Spouse that meets the Qualifying Attributes requirements at application for a Deferral Period is an Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse and may not elect to be ineligible. Similarly, a Non-Borrowing Spouse that is ineligible at application because he or she does not satisfy the Qualifying Attributes requirements for a Deferral Period may not elect to be eligible. An Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse may become an Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse should any of the Qualifying Attributes cease to be met during the loan term. A Non-Borrowing Spouse’s failure to meet and continue to meet the Qualifying Attributes cannot be cured; therefore, once a Non-Borrowing Spouse is determined to be ineligible, he or she cannot later become eligible for a Deferral Period.

At closing, the mortgagee must obtain the appropriate certification from each borrower identified as married as well as from each Non-Borrowing Spouse.

HUD’s Homeownership Centers (HOCs) are unable to endorse any HECM where the case binder does not contain the relevant, signed certifications.

Principal Limit

When determining the Principal Limit, mortgagees may not use the age of any Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse. At origination, mortgagees must base the Principal Limit on the age of the youngest borrower or Eligible Non- Borrowing Spouse.

In addition, where a HECM borrower has identified an Ineligible Non- Borrowing Spouse, the mortgagee must also disclose the amount of mortgage proceeds that would have been available under the HECM if he/she were an Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse.

Ineligible Non- Borrowing Spouse Certifications Required at Closing

Borrower Certification: Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse

At closing, the mortgagee must obtain the following certification from each borrower identified as married to an Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse:

I hereby certify that I am currently, legally married, that the information I have provided with respect to my spouse, ______ , is true and correct, and my spouse is not eligible and cannot become eligible for a Deferral Period for the following reason:

____ My Spouse does not occupy the property securing the HECM as his or her Principal Residence. My Spouse’s current Principal Residence is _________________________________________.

I understand that because my spouse is ineligible, the Deferral Period referenced in my HECM will not defer a due and payable status to prevent the displacement of _____, my current spouse or any other person I may marry in the future. I acknowledge that were my spouse eligible, the maximum equity available to me to access under the HECM loan would be $_________. [I understand that because a Deferral Period will not apply I am able to access, $_________, which represents more equity than I otherwise would have been able to draw under the HECM.]* I acknowledge that it is solely due to the ineligibility of my spouse that the access to this equity is being made available to me. I further understand that my lender is relying on my certification to the factual ineligibility of my spouse in making this mortgage in the amount identified in the loan agreement. I further acknowledge that this information is material to the origination of this loan and the insurance of this mortgage by the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Federal Housing Administration.

WARNING: Federal law provides that anyone who knowingly or willfully makes or uses a document containing any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry may be criminally prosecuted and may incur civil or administrative liability.

• *Mortgagees should insert this text in cases where the Ineligible Non Borrowing Spouse is younger than the borrower.

Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse Certification:

At closing, the mortgagee must obtain the following certification from each Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse of a HECM borrower:

I hereby certify that I am currently, legally married to _______________, a HECM borrower, and the information provided about me is true and correct. I understand that the Deferral Period contained in my spouse's HECM will not defer a due and payable status to prevent my displacement from the property following the death of the last surviving borrower because I am not eligible and cannot become eligible for a Deferral Period for the following reason:

• ____ I do not occupy the property securing the HECM as my Principal Residence. My Principal Residence is _______________________ ______________________________________________________.

I understand that because I am ineligible, the Deferral Period referenced in my spouse’s HECM loan documents is inapplicable and will not defer a due and payable status to prevent my displacement. I acknowledge that were I eligible the maximum equity available to my spouse to access under the HECM loan would be $_________. [I understand that because I am ineligible for the Deferral Period my spouse is able to access, $_________, which represents more equity than my spouse otherwise would have been able to draw under [his/her] HECM.]* I acknowledge that it is solely due to my ineligibility that access to this equity is being made available to my spouse. I further understand that my spouse’s lender is relying on my certification to my factual ineligibility in making this mortgage in the amount identified in the loan agreement. I further acknowledge that this information is material to the origination of this loan and the insurance of this mortgage by the Department of Housing and Urban Development-Federal Housing Administration. I consent to my spouse gaining access to this equity because I acknowledge and I certify that I am not eligible and cannot become eligible for a Deferral Period.

WARNING: Federal law provides that anyone who knowingly or willfully makes or uses a document containing any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry may be criminally prosecuted and may incur civil or administrative liability.

• *Mortgagees should insert this text in cases where the Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse is younger than the borrower.

Currently Eligible Non- Borrowing Spouse Certifications Required at Closing

Borrower Certification: Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse

At closing, the mortgagee must obtain the following certification from each borrower identified as married to a currently Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse:

I hereby certify that I am currently, legally married and the information I have provided with respect to my spouse, ______, is true and correct.

I understand that my HECM loan contains a provision to defer a due and payable status of my HECM that may prevent the displacement of _____, my current spouse, if and only if, certain conditions are and continue to be met. I understand that this deferral will not be available to any other person I may marry in the future. I further understand that this safeguard will only remain available to ____, my current spouse, if:

WARNING: Federal law provides that anyone who knowingly or willfully makes or uses a document containing any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry may be criminally prosecuted and may incur civil or administrative liability.

Currently Eligible Non- Borrowing Spouse Certifications Required at Closing

Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse Certification:

At closing, the mortgagee must obtain the following certification from each currently Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse of a HECM borrower:

I hereby certify that I am currently, legally married to _______________, a HECM borrower, and the information provided about me is true and correct.

I understand that my spouse's HECM contains a deferral of a due and payable status to prevent my displacement from the property following the death of the last surviving borrower under my spouse’s HECM but only if:

WARNING: Federal law provides that anyone who knowingly or willfully makes or uses a document containing any false, fictitious, or fraudulent statement or entry may be criminally prosecuted and may incur civil or administrative liability.

Case Binder Documentation Requirements

Mortgagees must include all certifications executed at closing in case binders submitted for FHA insurance endorsement.

Ongoing Requirements for Borrower and Non- Borrowing Spouse Certifications

Mortgagees must maintain copies of the following relevant certifications in their servicing files.

Annual Borrower Certification:

Borrowers that identify themselves as being married with a currently Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse must submit the Borrower Certification: Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse on an annual basis.

Death of Last Surviving Borrower Certification:

Upon the death of the last surviving borrower, the mortgagee must obtain the Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse certification from any Eligible Non- Borrowing Spouse within 30 days of receiving notice of the last surviving borrower’s death and then no less than annually thereafter for the duration of the Deferral Period.

Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse is No Longer Eligible Certification:

If an Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse, identified at closing, ceases to be married to his/her HECM borrower spouse for any reason other than death or fails to reside in the property as his/her Principal Residence, the Deferral Period that would prevent the displacement of such Non-Borrowing Spouse will no longer be in effect. The borrower must submit the following certification within 60 days of the date the Non-Borrowing Spouse becomes ineligible.

I hereby certify that at the time of loan closing I was legally married and that the information I provided with respect to my [then] spouse, ______, was true and correct. While at the time of loan closing my [then] spouse was eligible for a Deferral Period, my [then] spouse has since become ineligible for a Deferral Period for the following reasons:

I understand that because my [then] spouse is now ineligible, the Deferral Period contained in my HECM loan will no longer defer a due and payable status to prevent the displacement of _____, my [then] spouse nor any other person I may marry in the future.”

The mortgagee is also required to obtain supporting documentation validating the reason, such as a divorce decree or death certificate, for the case files.

Changes to Annual Determination of Principal Residence

The mortgagee must annually determine whether the property remains the Principal Residence of at least one borrower and must require the borrower to annually certify to his or her continued residence in the property.

Where an Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse was identified at closing, the mortgagee must obtain an additional certification from the HECM borrower confirming that his/her Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse remains his/her spouse and his/her Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse continues to reside in the property as his/her Principal Residence.

If a HECM borrower with an Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse has died, the mortgagee is required to obtain this annual Principal Residence certification from the Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse of such borrower.

Reinstatement of Deferral Period

If a Deferral Period ceases or becomes unavailable because a Non-Borrowing Spouse no longer satisfies the Qualifying Attributes for a Deferral Period and has become an Ineligible Non-Borrowing Spouse, a mortgagee may not provide an opportunity to cure the default.

In the event a Deferral Period ceases because the HECM has become eligible to be called due and payable and is in default for a reason other than death, the mortgagee must provide an Eligible Non-Borrowing Spouse with 30 days to cure the default.

Changes to Model Note, Mortgage and Loan Agreement

Mortgagees must add the following to the HECM model Note, Mortgage and Loan Agreement documents:

Add to the definition section of the Loan Agreements:

Add to the definition section of the Model Notes:

Add to the first paragraph of the Model Mortgages:

Add to the definition section of the Loan Agreements, add after section 9 of Model Mortgages, and add to definition section of Model Notes:

Add to section 4.2 of the Adjustable Rate Loan Agreement and add to section 3.2 of the Fixed Rate Loan Agreement:

Replace the last sentence to section 10(A)(ii) of the Model Mortgages, section 7(A)(ii) of the Adjustable Rate Model Note, and add section 6(A)(ii) of the Fixed Rate Model Note:

Add to all HECM documents:

Add to the Model Mortgages:

Mortgagees must revise the model documents to ensure compliance with other Federal, State, and local laws, and may do so without HUD approval.

Additional Documentation for and Clarification of Seasoning Requirements for Existing Non-HECM Liens

Mortgagees must comply with the documentation requirements set forth in Mortgagee Letter 2014-21 to document cash to the borrower. To document the age of the lien, mortgagees may use the HUD-1 or other documents such as a title report or credit reports or documents related to the transaction that contain the required information.

This Mortgagee Letter clarifies that the seasoning requirement is satisfied if the lien has been in place for more than 12 months. For liens in place for 12 months or less, mortgagee must verify that cash to the borrower was less than $500, whether at closing or through cumulative draws.

All documents used to verify compliance with seasoning requirements must be included in the case binder.

Information Collection Requirements

Paperwork reduction information collection requirements contained in this Mortgagee Letter have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. §§ 3501-3520) and assigned OMB Control Numbers 2502-0059, 2502-0429 and 2502-0524. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, HUD may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, a collection of information unless the collection displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

Questions

Any questions regarding this Mortgagee Letter should be directed to the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-CALLFHA (1-800-225-5342). Persons with hearing or speech impairments may reach this number by calling the Federal Information Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. For additional information on this Mortgagee Letter, please visit www.hud.gov/answers.

Signature

Biniam Gebre
Acting Assistant Secretary for Housing - Federal Housing Commissioner