What is a qualified written request?
A qualified written request (QWR) is a formal written demand a borrower sends to a mortgage servicer under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) to dispute account errors, request information about their loan, or challenge servicing practices, with the servicer required to respond within 30 days.
Under the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA), a qualified written request is a formal letter a borrower sends to their mortgage servicer to challenge account errors, request loan information, or object to servicing decisions. The request must include the borrower's name, property address, loan number, and a clear statement of the issue or information being requested.
When a servicer receives a qualified written request, federal law requires a response within 30 days. The servicer must either correct the error, explain why the account is accurate, or provide the requested information. During this period, the servicer cannot proceed with foreclosure, charge late fees, or report negative credit information related to the disputed amount, though the borrower must continue making regular mortgage payments.
Common reasons borrowers file qualified written requests include disputing payment misapplication, questioning escrow accounting, challenging force-placed insurance charges, or demanding an accounting of how payments were applied. A qualified written request creates a legal record that proves the borrower raised the issue and gives the servicer a clear deadline to respond.
For borrowers facing foreclosure or disputing account errors in Cleveland Metro, foreclosure attorneys can help draft an effective qualified written request and ensure the servicer complies with RESPA deadlines.