Reverse Mortgage Repayment When Home Uninhabitable

Under current law, the borrower in a reverse mortgage transaction is relieved of the obligation to occupy the subject property as a principal residence (principal-residence requirement) if the borrower is temporarily absent for up to 60 days or, if the property is adequately secured, for up to one year. The bill adds a third exception to the principal-residence requirement to cover situations in which a natural disaster or other serious incident beyond the borrower's control (force majeure) renders the property uninhabitable, and in which case the reverse mortgage does not become due and payable if:

• The borrower is engaged in repairing the home with the intent of reoccupying the home as a principal residence offering the home for sale, or selling the home;
• The borrower stays in communication with the lender while the home is being repaired;
• The borrower complies with all other terms and conditions of the reverse mortgage; and
• Repairing or rebuilding of the home does not reduce the lender's security.

The maximum time allowable for a temporary absence under these circumstances is 5 years. The bill requires that the lender disclose these conditions suspending the repayment requirement on a reverse mortgage due to a force majeure to the borrower in writing at the time of closing.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)