Reverse Mortgage Loan
The scheme of reverse mortgage has been introduced recently provides a source of additional income for senior citizens self-acquired and self-occupied house property in India but have inadequate income to meet their needs. Some important features of reverse mortgage are:
A homeowner who is above 60 years of age is eligible for reverse mortgage loan. It allows him to turn the equity in his home into one lump sum or periodic payments mutually agreed by the borrower and the banker.
The property should be clear from encumbrances and should have clear title of the borrower.
The borrower should not have more than one living spouse. Borrowers will have to give an undertaking that they will not remarry during the currency of the loan. If the borrowers choose to remarry, the loan is foreclosed.
The loan is available in single name or jointly with spouse in case of a living spouse.
NO REPAYMENT is required as long as the borrower lives, Borrower should pay all taxes and maintenance charges relating to the house and maintain the property as his primary residence.
The amount of loan is based on several factors: borrower's age, value of the property, current interest rates and the specific plan chosen. Generally speaking, the higher the age, higher the value of the home, the more money is available.
The valuation of the residential property is done at periodic intervals and it shall be clearly specified to the borrowers upfront. The banks shall have the option to revise the periodic / lump sum amount at such frequency or intervals based on revaluation of property.
Married couples will be eligible as joint borrowers for financial assistance. In such a case, the age criteria for the couple would be at the discretion of the lending institution, subject to at least one of them being above 60 years of age.
The loan shall become due and payable only when the last surviving borrower dies or would like to sell the home, or permanently moves out.
On death of the home owner, the legal heirs have the choice of keeping or selling the house. If they decide to sell the house, the proceeds of the sale would be used to repay the mortgage, with the remainder going to the heirs.
As per the scheme formulated by National Housing Bank (NHB), the maximum period of the loan period is 15 years. The residual life of the property should be at least 20 years. Where the borrower lives longer than 15 years, periodic payments will not be made by lender. However, the borrower can continue to occupy.
From FY 2008-09, the lump sum amount or periodic payments received on reverse mortgage loan will not attract income tax or capital gains tax.