Expert, localized Los Angeles answers provided by Heather Roy

Ask Heather about: Mortgages, Finance, Taxes or Home Selling?
  

  I purchased my home last year in June. My lender paid last year's property taxes in October. I called the Revenue Commissioner's office on Dec. 3rd, and I learned that my lender has not paid the taxes yet, and the deadline to pay is Jan. 1st. Do I have any recourse against them if they do not pay them in time? Should I pay them myself to insure that they are not late? If so, can I request that they refund the money to me from my escrow account?
 
  Yes, you have recourse.  If your taxes are not paid on time, the lender must pay the late charges.  But if they're due January 1, don't worry about it till after then.  If next year you find they still haven't been paid, write to the president of the company, explaining that you're also writing to the state agency that regulates mortgages.  Your public librarian can give you the names and addresses.
    Edith
Originally published on December 6, 2007
 
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