Do you have any of the following kinds of loans for your home? If so, there may be special requirements that the lender has to follow if you fall behind on your payments or you are in default for another reason (such as your lender having to pay a tax, insurance or other property charge on your behalf). You may also be able to lower the amount you pay or, in some cases, stop your payments for a while. Talk to the place where you got the loan or talk to a lawyer about your rights if you have:

• a Federal Housing Authority (FHA) mortgage loan insured through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
• a mortgage loan insured through USDA Rural Development (formerly called Farmers Home Administration or FmHA)
• an RHS/FmHA financed home
• a Veterans’ Affairs (VA) guaranteed loan, or
• a reverse mortgage.

Service members and foreclosures

If you are a service member, there is a special federal law regarding foreclosure. A bank cannot start the foreclosure during your active service or within one year after your service. If you get a “Summons” and “Complaint” for foreclosure during this time, you should ask a lawyer to help file a Motion to Dismiss.

If you have questions about foreclosure, contact us. Fill out our form and we will call you back. Your information will be sent to Legal Services Vermont, which screens requests for help for both Vermont Legal Aid and Legal Services Vermont.