Section § 2968

Explanation

This law defines key terms like 'mortgage servicer,' 'property,' and emergency statuses for its application. It requires a mortgage servicer handling loans in areas declared as emergencies to pass on written agreements with borrowers about using insurance to fix disaster-damaged homes to any new servicers. New servicers can't break these pre-existing agreements without approval. Additionally, it's okay for servicers to share records about repairing damage not linked to declared emergencies.

(a)CA Civil Law Code § 2968(a) For purposes of this article, the following definitions apply:
(1)CA Civil Law Code § 2968(a)(1) “Mortgage servicer” has the same meaning as defined in subdivision (a) of Section 2920.5.
(2)CA Civil Law Code § 2968(a)(2) “Property” means residential real property that is improved by four or fewer residential dwelling units, affixed mobilehomes, and manufactured homes.
(3)CA Civil Law Code § 2968(a)(3) “State of emergency” and “local emergency” have the same meanings as defined in subdivisions (b) and (c), respectively, of Section 8558 of the Government Code.
(b)CA Civil Law Code § 2968(b) A transferor mortgage servicer servicing a mortgage secured by property within the geographic limits of a proclaimed state of emergency or local emergency shall deliver to a transferee mortgage servicer any material written records between the borrower and the mortgage servicer relating to the borrower’s election to use insurance proceeds to repair or replace property damaged by a disaster for which the state of emergency or local emergency was proclaimed.
(c)CA Civil Law Code § 2968(c) A transferee mortgage servicer pursuant to subdivision (b) shall not dishonor a previous written agreement to repair property made prior to the transfer between the transferor mortgage servicer and the borrower and approved by the owner of the promissory note.
(d)CA Civil Law Code § 2968(d) This article shall not be interpreted to prohibit a mortgage servicer from delivering to a transferee mortgage servicer any material written records relating to a borrower’s election to use insurance proceeds to repair or replace damaged property that was not caused by a disaster for which a state of emergency or local emergency was proclaimed.