Mortgage Assumption

When a borrower sells a mortgaged property and the property purchaser assumes the outstanding mortgage debt without a release of liability, the borrower has a contingent liability.

The underwriter is not required to consider this contingent liability (PITIA) as part of the borrower’s credit risk profile if the lender verifies that the property purchaser has at least a 12-month history of making regular, timely payments for the mortgage. The originator can document this by obtaining

• evidence of the transfer of ownership;

• a copy of the formal, executed assumption agreement; and

• a credit report indicating that consistent and timely payments were made for the assumed mortgage.

If the originator cannot document timely payments during the most recent 12-month period, the applicable mortgage payment must be counted as part of the overall risk profile.