Cosigners can't take possession of the vehicle they cosign for or remove the primary borrower from the loan since their name isn't on the vehicle's title.
The cosigner is legally responsible for the debt if the primary borrower can't make payments. Any late or missed payments can negatively impact both parties' credit scores. Furthermore, the cosigner doesn't have any ownership of the vehicle.
Quick insights. A co-signer may want to be removed from an auto loan for several reasons. Co-signers cannot remove themselves from a loan or be removed by the primary borrower. A co-signer's obligation is eliminated when the loan is paid off or refinanced without their involvement.
Request release from a co-signed loan
Co-signers can make a written request to the lender to be released from a loan. In certain cases, like some student loans, there may be a provision that allows a co-signer to take their name off a loan.
Unlike co-borrowers, who are on the title or have some claim to the property or funds, co-signers have no title or ownership of the property the funds are used for. For example, a co-signer for a vehicle has no legal right to the financed vehicle.
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.
Co-signers are only expected to pay back the loan if the borrower cannot. Additionally, a joint auto loan is typically for people who are going to split ownership of a car, whereas co-signers are simply helping someone else purchase a car; co-signers do not usually retain ownership.
Being removed as a cosigner from a loan could potentially hurt your credit scores. How much your scores are impacted depends on the details of your credit profile.
A cosigner on a loan is legally responsible for the debt if the primary borrower defaults. Cosigning a loan will show up on your credit report and can impact your credit score if the primary borrower pays late or defaults. Cosigners may sign for student loans, personal loans, credit cards, and even mortgages.
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.
Acting as a co-signer can have serious financial consequences. First, co-signers assume legal responsibility for a debt. So, if the primary borrower is unable to pay as agreed, the co-signer may have to pay the full amount of what's owed. Second, a co-signed loan will appear on the co-signer's credit reports.
Keep in mind that a cosigner can't take possession of a car they've cosigned for. A cosigner doesn't have any legal rights to the vehicle, so they can't take a car from its rightful owner, the primary borrower.
Key takeaways
A co-signer or co-borrower can request a release from a car loan, refinance the loan, pay off the loan or sell the vehicle to remove themselves from the loan agreement. It is important to communicate with the other borrower and come to an agreement on how to handle the loan before taking any action.
A co-signer applies for the home loan right along with you. However, they are not on the title of the home. The co-signers name is only on the loan, meaning that while they are financially responsible for paying back the mortgage, they do not have ownership of the property.
Every lender sets its own requirements for zero-down-payment deals, if they offer them at all. Generally, the credit score needed to buy a car is at least 661 whether you make a down payment or not. You could still get a car loan if your score is lower than 661, but be prepared to pay higher interest rates.
If you're wondering “how to remove a cosigner from a car loan,” it is possible to do so. Contact your lender to discuss options. They will only agree if your credit history has improved to the point where you're not a risk to them.
A cosigner doesn't appear on your title and does not have ownership rights. Only co-owners appear on the title and have ownership rights to the vehicle.
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.
You can remove the co-signer by refinancing your auto loan, receiving a co-signer release or paying off the loan. Before removing the co-signer, ensure your credit score is high enough to receive the same or comparable rate if you refinance.
However, in certain legal circumstances, the cosigner may face jail time. For example, in a case where the co-signer helped to facilitate the defendant's flight, provided false contact information, or in any way assisted the defendant in evading prosecution.
If you are both owners of the vehicle, you'd both have legal rights to the vehicle. In other words, if you wanted to get in the car and drive away with it, you'd have the right to do so, since (presumably) you're the owner of the car as well (this does not apply if you're only a co-signer on a loan).
In general, if someone takes or controls your property without your permission, it could potentially be considered theft. Here if you contacted the police department they would investigate whether it is theft and charge him with a crime if they believe one has occurred.
If you want to sell the car by yourself, you may not be able to – you're likely to need your co-borrower to complete the sale. Both of your names are on the title, which can make selling the vehicle complicated. You're also likely to need your co-borrower's permission to transfer ownership legitimately.