RESPA seeks to reduce unnecessarily high settlement costs by requiring disclosures to homebuyers and sellers, and by prohibiting abusive practices in the real estate settlement process. All borrowers must be given information about real estate transactions, settlement services, and relevant consumer protection laws, as well as the possibility of mortgage servicing being transferred. Borrowers are entitled to initial and annual escrow account statements, as well as itemized statements of actual settlement costs. RESPA outlaws kickbacks, referral fees, and unearned fees, prohibits sellers from requiring borrowers to purchase title insurance from specific companies, and does not allow loan servicers to require excessively large escrow accounts.

Administering Office: Assistant Secretary for Housing-Federal Housing Commissioner,
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Washington, DC 20410-8000.