Under the Home Owners Protection Act, at what equity position can a borrower request cancellation of mortgage insurance?

Under the Homeowners Protection Act (HPA), a borrower can request the cancellation of private mortgage insurance (PMI) when their equity in the home reaches 20%. This provision is designed to assist homeowners in reducing their monthly expenses once they have built up enough equity, recognizing that the risk to the lender diminishes as the homeowner's equity increases.

At the 20% equity threshold, the borrower can formally request cancellation of the PMI, and it must be automatically canceled when the equity reaches 22%, provided that there are no complications, such as the loan being in default. This law aims to protect homeowners from unnecessary insurance costs once they have sufficiently paid down their mortgage.

Understanding this threshold is vital for borrowers to manage their finances effectively and take advantage of savings opportunities once they have accumulated enough equity in their property.