EstatePass
Federal Lawseasy24% of exam

A renewal checklist raises a question about RESPA servicing and affiliated-business rules. Which action should the audit analyst recommend?

Correct Answer

A) Follow the servicing notice or response timeline

Why this is correct: RESPA (Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act) and its implementing Regulation X establish specific timelines for servicers to acknowledge and respond to borrower inquiries and notices of error. For example, servicers must acknowledge a written request within a set number of days and provide a substantive response within another set period. Therefore, the rule-based action is to follow these mandated servicing notice or response timelines. Why the other choices are wrong: "Use an internal exception instead of the required federal disclosure or timing rule" is wrong because internal policies cannot override RESPA's federally mandated timelines. "Wait until a regulator asks for the file before applying the federal requirement" is wrong because RESPA's response deadlines are triggered by the borrower's inquiry and are not optional. "Rely on oral agreement when the rule requires documented compliance" is wrong because RESPA requires written acknowledgments and responses, and communications should be documented. Exam tip: RESPA servicing rules have strict clocks. Know the key deadlines for acknowledging receipt (5 days) and responding to notices of error (e.g., 7 or 30 days).

Answer Options
A
Follow the servicing notice or response timeline
B
Use an internal exception instead of the required federal disclosure or timing rule.
C
Wait until a regulator asks for the file before applying the federal requirement.
D
Rely on oral agreement when the rule requires documented compliance.

Why This Is the Correct Answer

The correct response is "Follow the servicing notice or response timeline" because RESPA/Regulation X limits referral value and sets servicing disclosure and response duties.

Why the Other Options Are Wrong

Option B: Use an internal exception instead of the required federal disclosure or timing rule.

Use an internal exception instead of the required federal disclosure or timing rule. is not correct because it does not apply the rule tested by this file scenario.

Option C: Wait until a regulator asks for the file before applying the federal requirement.

Wait until a regulator asks for the file before applying the federal requirement. is not correct because it does not apply the rule tested by this file scenario.

Option D: Rely on oral agreement when the rule requires documented compliance.

Rely on oral agreement when the rule requires documented compliance. is not correct because it does not apply the rule tested by this file scenario.

Memory Technique

RESPA servicing and affiliated-business rules: identify the rule being tested, then choose the action that documents or applies that rule before the file moves forward.

Exam Tip

Match the file facts to RESPA servicing and affiliated-business rules; do not choose an exception or shortcut that skips the required rule.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • -Choosing an internal exception instead of the governing rule
  • -Treating preliminary or informal facts as a substitute for required documentation
  • -Answering from a familiar but unrelated mortgage topic
Was this explanation helpful?

More Federal Laws Questions

People Also Study

Related Study Resources

Practice More MLO Questions

Access all practice questions with progress tracking and adaptive difficulty to pass your SAFE MLO exam.

Start Practicing