For class action defense attorneys who defend against RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) class actions, we provide the text of Regulation X. Congress gave authority to the Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to promulgate regulations for RESPA, and the regulations are set forth in 24 CFR § 3500.1 et seq. The regulations provide for the use of HUD-1 or HUD-1A settlement statements in § 3500.8, which provides:
§ 3500.8. Use of HUD-1 or HUD-1A settlement statements
(a) Use by settlement agent. The settlement agent shall use the HUD-1 settlement statement in every settlement involving a federally related mortgage loan in which there is a borrower and a seller. For transactions in which there is a borrower and no seller, such as refinancing loans or subordinate lien loans, the HUD-1 may be utilized by using the borrower’s side of the HUD-1 statement. Alternatively, the form HUD-1A may be used for these transactions. Either the HUD-1 or the HUD-1A, as appropriate, shall be used for every RESPA- covered transaction, unless its use is specifically exempted, but the HUD-1 or HUD-1A may be modified as permitted under this part. The use of the HUD-1 or HUD-1A is exempted for open-end lines of credit (home-equity plans) covered by the Truth in Lending Act and Regulation Z.
(b) Charges to be stated. The settlement agent shall complete the HUD-1 or HUD-1A in accordance with the instructions set forth in Appendix A to this part.
(c) Aggregate Accounting At Settlement. (1) After itemizing individual deposits in the 1000 series using single-item accounting, the servicer shall make an adjustment based on aggregate accounting. This adjustment equals the difference in the deposit required under aggregate accounting and the sum of the deposits required under single-item accounting. The computation steps for both accounting methods are set out in § 3500.17(d). The adjustment will always be a negative number or zero (-0-). The settlement agent shall enter the aggregate adjustment amount on a final line in the 1000 series of the HUD-1 or HUD-1A statement.
(2) During the phase-in period, as defined in § 3500.17(b), an alternative procedure is available. The settlement agent may initially calculate the 1000 series deposits for the HUD-1 and HUD-1A settlement statement using single-item analysis with only a one-month cushion (unless the mortgage loan documents indicate a smaller amount). In the escrow account analysis conducted within 45 days of settlement, however, the servicer shall adjust the escrow account to reflect the aggregate accounting balance. Appendix E to this part sets out examples of aggregate analysis. Appendix A to this part contains instructions for completing the HUD-1 or HUD-1A settlement statements using an aggregate analysis adjustment and the alternative process during the phase-in period.
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