Missed Mortgage Payments in California: What Happens and What to Do

What Happens When You Miss a Payment

Day 1-15: Grace Period. Most mortgages have a 15-day grace period with no late fee and no credit impact.

Day 16: Late Fee. After the grace period, a late fee kicks in — typically 3-5% of the missed payment.

Day 30: Credit Reporting. At 30 days past due, your lender reports the missed payment to credit bureaus.

Day 36-45: Servicer Contact Required. Federal law requires your servicer to reach out about loss mitigation options.

Day 90+: Notice of Default Risk. After three missed payments, your lender can file a Notice of Default — starting the formal foreclosure process.

What You Should Do Right Now

Call your servicer and ask about forbearance or repayment options. Do not ignore communication — it makes things worse. Document your hardship. Contact NFDA for a free consultation before the situation escalates.

The Best Time to Act Is Now

Every week you wait closes one more option. NFDA has helped homeowners at every stage, but the earlier you call, the more we can do. 949-484-9849 or www.thenfda.com.