Lender's Occupancy Certification Letter

Lender's Occupancy Certification Letter

Investor · Irvine, CA · Member since 2009 · 261 posts · 183 votes

We have a rented property in Texas purchased Sub2, with the loan remaining under the original sellers' names.

The mortgage company sent the sellers an Occupancy Certification letter asking the borrower to confirm within 30 days that the home is still their primary residence.

Has anyone received a letter like this before, and how should this issue be handled?

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Diana KhanPro Member
Attorney · 10451 Mill Run Cir #755 Owings Mills, MD 21117 · Member since 2024 · 643 posts · 228 votes
1w
Quote from @Dani Beit-Or:

We have a rented property in Texas purchased Sub2, with the loan remaining under the original sellers' names.

The mortgage company sent the sellers an Occupancy Certification letter asking the borrower to confirm within 30 days that the home is still their primary residence.

Has anyone received a letter like this before, and how should this issue be handled?

@Dani Beit-Or, I wouldn't ignore that letter, and I definitely wouldn't have the sellers confirm that the property is their primary residence if that isn't true. Since the property was purchased subject to the existing mortgage, I'd have a Texas real estate attorney review the letter, the loan documents, and the purchase agreement before anyone responds. There could also be a due on sale issue depending on the loan terms.

I'm a real estate attorney and investor based in Maryland, and I work with clients on contracts and property transactions. I've seen how important it is to understand the terms of an agreement before taking the next step, especially when the original borrower is still responsible for the loan.

I appreciate you bringing this up, @Dani Beit-Or. It's an important reminder that subject to transactions can carry risks even after closing. I hope you're able to get this sorted out, and I'm happy to stay connected!

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  • Diana KhanPro Member
    Attorney · 10451 Mill Run Cir #755 Owings Mills, MD 21117 · Member since 2024 · 643 posts · 228 votes
    1w
    Quote from @Dani Beit-Or:

    We have a rented property in Texas purchased Sub2, with the loan remaining under the original sellers' names.

    The mortgage company sent the sellers an Occupancy Certification letter asking the borrower to confirm within 30 days that the home is still their primary residence.

    Has anyone received a letter like this before, and how should this issue be handled?

    @Dani Beit-Or, I wouldn't ignore that letter, and I definitely wouldn't have the sellers confirm that the property is their primary residence if that isn't true. Since the property was purchased subject to the existing mortgage, I'd have a Texas real estate attorney review the letter, the loan documents, and the purchase agreement before anyone responds. There could also be a due on sale issue depending on the loan terms.

    I'm a real estate attorney and investor based in Maryland, and I work with clients on contracts and property transactions. I've seen how important it is to understand the terms of an agreement before taking the next step, especially when the original borrower is still responsible for the loan.

    I appreciate you bringing this up, @Dani Beit-Or. It's an important reminder that subject to transactions can carry risks even after closing. I hope you're able to get this sorted out, and I'm happy to stay connected!

    • Investor · Irvine, CA · Member since 2009 · 261 posts · 183 votes
      6d

      TY for the answer!

  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    2d

    You can ignore the letter but this property is on their radar and issue probably not going away. I would make sure you provide the borrower the letter and let them decide if they want to complete it or not.
    No better way to get sued by knowing you got it and not doing anything with it

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  • Chris ColtonPro Member
    Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2026 · 13 posts · 4 votes
    12h

    Dani, I wouldn’t ignore that letter, and I wouldn’t have the sellers sign something that isn’t true. That’s the part that can create real trouble. Before anyone responds, I’d have a Texas real estate attorney look at the letter, the loan documents, and the purchase agreement together, and check what the due-on-sale language actually says. In the meantime, keep the payments current and documented, and keep a clear paper trail on who is paying what. The letter itself is a good reminder that subject-to doesn’t end at closing — the loan is still in the sellers’ names, so you have to plan for the lender noticing.

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