Short, verified updates with official sources. Newest first.
Orange County: fire or flood damage? You may be able to delay your Dec 10 property tax payment
On Oct 21, 2026 Orange County Treasurer-Tax Collector Shari Freidenrich said owners whose property was damaged or destroyed by the recent coastal flooding and fires may qualify for property tax relief. First, file an Application for Reassessment of Property Damaged by Misfortune or Calamity with the OC Assessor. If the Assessor approves it and confirms you qualify for deferral, your 2026-27 first installment can be put off without penalty or interest until the property is reassessed; the old bill (and any penalties) is cancelled, a lower corrected bill is mailed, and you have 30 days to pay it. For a home with a homeowners' exemption, the damage generally must be at least 10% of its value or $10,000, whichever is less. Deferral isn't available if your taxes are paid through a mortgage impound (escrow) account. Otherwise, the first installment is still due by Dec 10, 2026. Update your mailing address so you get the new bill, and see octreasurer.gov/faq/property-tax-disaster-relief or call 714-834-3411.
LA fire survivors: California orders lenders to report on held-back insurance money
On Oct 15, 2026 California's Business and Consumer Services Agency (BCSA) and Department of Financial Protection and Innovation (DFPI) ordered mortgage lenders and servicers to report how they have handled insurance payouts for Eaton and Palisades fire survivors, including whether all funds were released, how long it took, and why any money was delayed or withheld as of Sept 30, 2026. The state is investigating lenders that delayed payments, failed to offer a timely appeal, or kept insurance money after a loan was paid off. Under AB 493 (2025), lenders must also pay you interest on insurance proceeds they hold in escrow while you rebuild. If your lender is sitting on your insurance check, file a free confidential complaint with DFPI at dfpi.ca.gov/file-a-complaint.
LA County property tax bills: 1st installment due Nov 1, late after Dec 10, 2026
The Los Angeles County Treasurer and Tax Collector is mailing about 2.4 million 2026-27 secured property tax bills by Nov 1, 2026. The 1st installment is due Nov 1 and becomes delinquent after close of business Thursday, Dec 10, 2026; the 2nd is due Feb 1, 2027 and becomes delinquent after Monday, Apr 12, 2027. Late installments get a 10% penalty (plus a $10 cost on the 2nd). Not getting a bill does not excuse late payment, so check yours at propertytax.lacounty.gov or call 1-888-807-2111. If your mortgage has an escrow (impound) account, confirm your servicer is paying it. Homeowners 62+, blind, or disabled may qualify for the state's Property Tax Postponement Program.
AB 1957 reforms post-foreclosure bidding to cut fraud (effective Jan 1, 2027)
On Sept 18, 2026 Governor Newsom signed AB 1957 (Pacheco), amending Civil Code § 2924m. Starting Jan 1, 2027, the post-trustee-sale 'up-bid' process no longer includes prospective owner-occupants — a category often misused by investors posing as owner-occupants, which chilled auction bidding and could leave homeowners with less equity. Eligible tenant bidders and qualified community/nonprofit bidders remain, with tighter rules (first-lien 1–4 unit homes; tenant bids generally require habitability and value at or below local FHA limits). Unauthorized bidders face stronger civil penalties. If a sale date is set, talk to a free HUD counselor about your options before then.
If your primary home was destroyed or made uninhabitable by a qualifying California disaster (including the 2025 LA fires), CalHFA's CalAssist Mortgage Fund may pay mortgage payments directly to your servicer. It is free and never has to be repaid. Applications close Nov 2, 2026.
Seniors, blind or disabled homeowners: Property Tax Postponement applications open through Feb 10, 2027
The State Controller's Property Tax Postponement Program for 2026-27 opened Oct 1, 2026 and accepts mailed applications postmarked by Feb 10, 2027. If you are 62 or older (by Dec 31, 2026), blind, or disabled, have at least 40% equity in your primary home, and had 2025 household income of $57,002 or less, the state may pay this year's property taxes directly to the county. It is not a grant: a lien is recorded and the postponed taxes accrue 5% simple interest until repaid. Funding is limited and first-come, first-served, so apply early, and keep paying your county until you're approved (penalties still apply after Dec 10 and April 10). Homes with a reverse mortgage don't qualify. Questions: (800) 952-5661.
Scam alert: California DRE warns of returning upfront-fee loan scams
On Oct 1, 2026 the California Department of Real Estate warned that advance-fee loan scams are back. Red flags: a 'guaranteed' loan, 100% financing, special lenders 'nobody else' has, and an upfront fee described as refundable that later isn't. Scammers may borrow a real license number or fake one. In California, collecting advance fees requires an advance fee agreement pre-approved by DRE. If you're behind on payments and someone wants money before helping with a refinance or rescue loan, stop, verify their license at dre.ca.gov, and talk to a free HUD-approved housing counselor. Report suspected fraud to DRE.
Rebuilding after a disaster? CalHFA's new Disaster Rebuilding Assistance Program can lower construction-loan costs
CalHFA's $100 million Disaster Rebuilding Assistance Program, funded in the 2026-27 State Budget, began taking lender reservations on Sept 16, 2026. It helps homeowners rebuild a home damaged or destroyed by a qualified disaster (a Governor's State of Emergency or Presidential Major Disaster Declaration from Jan 1, 2023 through Jan 8, 2025, such as the 2025 LA wildfires). CalHFA reimburses approved lenders for interest-rate buydowns on construction and renovation loans, which can lower your rate, and backs lenders against certain construction-loan losses. You must have owned and lived in the home as your primary residence on the date of the disaster, plan to move back within 60 days of completion, and meet income limits (150% of area median income). Getting CalAssist, FEMA or SBA disaster help doesn't disqualify you. CalHFA isn't a direct lender — apply through an approved lender listed on its program page. If you're behind on your mortgage while rebuilding, talk to your servicer and a free HUD counselor.
New laws expand disaster mortgage forbearance (AB 1842 & AB 1847)
On Sept 15, 2026 Governor Newsom signed AB 1842 (California Mortgage Relief Act) and AB 1847. Starting Jan 1, 2027, servicers must offer forbearance when a home is uninhabitable after a federally declared disaster (generally up to 12 months). For LA wildfire survivors under AB 1847, the forbearance window extends to 24 months and requests can be made through Jan 7, 2029. Confirm details with your servicer or a free HUD counselor.
Deed theft: SB 255 brings free county fraud alerts on Jan 1, 2027
California's DFPI warns that home title fraud (deed theft) is growing: criminals forge a deed in your name, record it, then borrow against or sell your home, often targeting seniors, paid-off homes, and vacant or rental properties. Under SB 255 (signed Oct 2025), starting Jan 1, 2027 every county recorder must run a property fraud notification program and mail you a notice within 30 days when a deed, mortgage or deed of trust is recorded in your name. Until then, check your title with your county recorder, sign up for a free county property alert if offered, and never sign over your deed to anyone promising to 'save' your home. If you suspect fraud, contact your county recorder, file a police report, and report it to the FTC, the Attorney General and DRE.
HUD Mortgagee Letter 2026-08 (June 23, 2026) changed how FHA servicers handle loan modifications and other help, and every servicer had to follow it by Sept 21, 2026. If you are offered a Trial Payment Plan (usually 3 months of payments before a permanent modification), failing to accept a trial-plan agreement for the third time in the same default now counts as a failed trial, which can let foreclosure move forward. You may now make trial payments early, and your permanent payment can be higher than the trial payment if property taxes or insurance went up. Servicers also no longer have to keep re-reviewing repeat requests before foreclosing, unless your circumstances changed in a way that affects eligibility. If you have an FHA loan and you're behind, accept and pay a trial plan on time, keep proof of every payment, and talk to a free HUD-approved housing counselor before you decline any offer.
Know your Homeowner Bill of Rights: AG settles with servicer Select Portfolio Servicing for $4.6 million
On June 5, 2026 California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a $4.6 million settlement (subject to court approval) with Select Portfolio Servicing (SPS), a large subprime mortgage servicer, over alleged violations of California's Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR) and debt-collection laws during the COVID-19 pandemic. The AG found SPS gave homeowners poor information about forbearance exit options, sent statements wrongly warning of late fees during forbearance, and didn't give borrowers the single point of contact or loan-modification timelines HBOR requires. SPS must pay $1.6 million in penalties and $3 million in consumer relief; eligible homeowners were already identified and will be paid automatically, so no one needs to pay a fee to 'claim' it. Your HBOR rights include: your servicer must contact you at least 30 days before starting foreclosure, must tell you within 5 business days what's missing from a modification application, must give you a single point of contact, and generally can't foreclose while a complete application or appeal is pending (no 'dual tracking'). Report servicer problems at oag.ca.gov/report and talk to a free HUD counselor.
Signed with MV Realty for a cash payment? Your contract is void and the lien must come off
On May 27, 2026 California Attorney General Rob Bonta settled the state's lawsuit against MV Realty, a Florida company that paid struggling homeowners small cash amounts in exchange for being their exclusive listing agent for up to 40 years, then recorded liens and demanded tens of thousands of dollars in 'early termination fees' when owners tried to sell or refinance. Under the settlement, all of MV Realty's California homeowner contracts are void, it must individually terminate every lien, and homeowners who paid termination fees get their money back (over $1.3 million in restitution, plus about $1.2 million in penalties). The company and its top officers are barred from licensed real estate business in California for 5 years. Since Jan 1, 2024 (AB 1345), exclusive listing agreements are capped at 2 years and can't be recorded against your home. If an old MV Realty lien still shows on your title, or someone offers cash today for a long-term listing deal, contact the Attorney General at (800) 952-5225.
CalAssist expanded to 12 months of mortgage relief
The Governor announced CalAssist now covers up to 12 months of mortgage payments (up to $100,000) for eligible disaster survivors, up from three months, with broader income eligibility. Families who received three months may get additional support.
The pandemic-era California Mortgage Relief Program stopped accepting applications in 2024 and officially closed in June 2025. Be careful with anyone claiming to get you a grant from it. For help now, contact a free HUD-approved housing counselor.