Can I kick out a co-signer?

Asked by: Ottilie Jacobson  |  Last update: April 1, 2025
Score: 4.6/5 (46 votes)

Removing your cosigner leaves just you to cover any late or missed monthly payments, so some lenders might make it difficult to remove the second person. Before you can remove a cosigner, you may have to prove that your finances and/or credit score have improved since getting the loan.

Can I kick out my cosigner?

The loan has to be paid out. You cannot remove a co-signer from an existing contract.

How can I legally get out of a cosigned loan?

lenders do not remove co signers from loans. The debt has to be retired. This can be done by paying it off directly or refinancing the loan.

Can you remove someone as a cosigner?

To get a co-signer release you will first need to contact your lender. After contacting them, you can request the release — if the lender offers it. This is just paperwork that removes the co-signer from the loan and places you, the primary borrower, as the sole borrower on the loan.

What rights does a co-signer have on a house?

Being a cosigner does not give you rights to the property. A cosigner has no title or ownership in the property secured for the loan. Additionally, a cosigner has no legal right to occupy a home as a primary or secondary residence, unlike the primary signer/borrower.

Should I Remove The Co-Signer From My Loan?

36 related questions found

How do I protect myself as a cosigner?

5 ways to protect yourself as a co-signer
  1. Serve as a co-signer only for close friends or relatives. One of loan co-signing's biggest risks is potential damage to your credit score. ...
  2. Keep copies of all the loan documents. ...
  3. Create a contract. ...
  4. Track monthly payments. ...
  5. Ensure you can afford payments.

How to remove a co-signer from a mortgage without refinancing?

5 ways to remove someone from a mortgage without refinancing
  1. Mortgage loan assumption: Transfer the loan to your name. ...
  2. Mortgage loan modification: Change the terms of you loan. ...
  3. Selling the house: Fresh start for both parties. ...
  4. Paying off the mortgage: Eliminating the debt.

How to get a co-signer release?

Apply to release your cosigner
  1. Provide proof of graduation or completion of a certificate program.
  2. Be old enough to enter a legally binding contract where you live.
  3. Be a U.S. Citizen or a Permanent Resident at the time you submit the request.
  4. Provide proof of income.

How much does it cost to remove someone from a mortgage?

For example, borrowers typically face application fees, appraisal fees and other closing costs that can total between 2% and 5% of the mortgage principal. Maintain original interest rate: A primary incentive to remove someone from a mortgage without refinancing is to keep the original interest rate.

Can I sue someone I cosigned for?

Yes, you can sue the person you co-signed for if they don't make the payments they promised to make. You may be able to get a judgment against them in court, but it could be hard to collect that money since they didn't pay the debt in the first place.

Can a cosigner be removed after 6 months?

Some lenders have a release option for co-signers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A release can be obtained after a certain number of on-time payments and a credit check of the original borrower to determine whether they are now creditworthy.

How long does a co-signer stay on a lease?

A co-signer typically stays on a lease for the entire duration of the lease term, which is usually one year for most residential leases. However, the specific duration can vary depending on the terms of the lease agreement and the policies of the landlord or property management company.

What happens if you don't pay back a cosigned loan?

If the borrower does not repay the loan, you may be forced to repay the whole amount of the loan, plus interest and any late fees that have accrued. With most cosigned loans, the lender is not required to pursue the main borrower first, but can request payment from the cosigner any time there is a missed payment.

Is there a way to get out of a cosigner?

Here are the four main ways to remove a cosigner:
  1. Release the Cosigner. Some banks and lending companies offer cosigner releases. ...
  2. Pay Off the Loan. If you have the money to pay off your loan in full, you might consider this option to remove your cosigner. ...
  3. Refinance Your Car. ...
  4. Sell the Car.

Can you remove someone from a loan without refinancing?

Secure Approval From the Lender

Your lender can remove a name from a mortgage without refinancing. The hard part with this is, it's completely up to the lender to decide whether to allow this.

How does an eviction affect a cosigner?

The eviction notice/notice to quit can be served at the rental unit (meaning that if the co-signer is not living there, the co-signer may not receive the notice). Unfortunately, a co-signer can be held financially liable for unpaid rent.

Can you buy someone out of a house without refinancing?

You can take your name off a mortgage without refinancing your loan by selling the home, having the new owner take on a loan assumption, asking your current lender to modify the loan, or filing bankruptcy. You can also pay off the entire mortgage if you and your co-owner have the means.

Can I sue my ex for not paying the mortgage?

You can take legal action against them for breaching the agreement you both made or seek a court order to force the sale of the property. It's important to consult with a lawyer to understand your legal rights and options and to make the best decisions for your situation.

Can someone just take their name off a mortgage?

Removing someone from the mortgage doesn't automatically strip them of ownership rights. The only way to transfer ownership of real estate — which is legally distinct from liability for the mortgage debt — is through a deed. In order to give up their rights, your co-borrower will likely have to file a quitclaim deed.

Does a co-signer have rights to the property?

No. Cosigning a loan doesn't give you any title, ownership, or other rights to the property the loan is paying for. Your only role is to repay the loan if the main borrower falls behind on the payments or defaults.

How can I legally remove myself as a cosigner?

Your best option to get your name off a large cosigned loan is to have the person who's using the money refinance the loan without your name on the new loan. Another option is to help the borrower improve their credit history. You can ask the person using the money to make extra payments to pay off the loan faster.

How do I remove a co-signer from a mortgage?

To remove a co-signer from your mortgage, consider refinancing your mortgage in your name alone. Keep in mind that the equation has changed in terms of approval, as the lender is looking only at the financial variables for one person instead of two.

Can I kick a cosigner out of my house?

Removing a cosigner or co-borrower from a mortgage almost always requires paying off the loan in full or refinancing by getting a new loan in your own name. Under rare circumstances, though, the lender may allow you to take over an existing mortgage from your other signer.

Can you take over someone's mortgage without refinancing?

You can take over someone else's mortgage using an assumable mortgage. Assumable mortgages are a great way to get into a home if you're looking to buy or sell, or even just do some property flipping.

Can you sell a house if you are on the deed but not the mortgage?

Selling a property with your name on the deed but not on the mortgage creates added levels of complexity and requires more collaboration with third parties. However, you can achieve a successful sale with careful planning and the right support.