First of all, try to eliminate escrow. If unsuccessful, I would monitor very closely. Personally, I have 3 tax bills annually. I receive notice about due dates at least 2-3 months in advance. On my tax bill, they give 3 separate payment dates. The first 2 dates are a discounted price, which is what I choose. Your escrow account is obviously choosing the final drop dead date which costs you money, especially if a late fee is added in. I would find out your due dates and verify that payments are received. If the payment is late, I would be raising hell. Don’t forget your homeowners insurance is also paid thru escrow.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you have enough equity, you should be able to pay your own taxes rather than keeping an escrow. But lender would have to allow this and, while many do, yours doesn't sound great ....

This. I pay my own, although my servicer has been fine so far. No reason to let someone do it for you. You just need to remember to pay 2-3 bills each year.

I’ll have to try this. Even if I do forget I’ll still be merely as bad at it as them, JFC.

Anonymous wrote:I doubt OP would want to refinance right now.

OP, what company is this?

It’s PHH and you’re right—there’s no way I would refinance right now.

Anonymous wrote:If you have enough equity, you should be able to pay your own taxes rather than keeping an escrow. But lender would have to allow this and, while many do, yours doesn't sound great ....

This. I pay my own, although my servicer has been fine so far. No reason to let someone do it for you. You just need to remember to pay 2-3 bills each year.

Pay the taxes and tell the mortgage company or county to send back the escrow amount.

Anonymous wrote:Currently being threatened with tax sale, AGAIN, because my mortgage servicer is late paying the tax out of the escrow account. Of course they aren’t who I originally worked with to get my mortgage, but instead who bought my mortgage later. Is there anything I can do to get away from this horrible company?

Who is the servicer OP?

Can you skip escrow and pay tax and insurance yourself?

File a complaint.
Call the county and ask about how to handle poor mortgage servicer tax payments--can you pay in advance and then be reimbursed?
Talk to your local representative about how to handle in advance too--in case something goes awry.

I would pay the taxes myself even though they hold your money. You do not want a tax sale.Pay ones and hope they pay going forward. I would file complaints- they are time-consuming, pain in the butt and meanwhile tax man may sell your home.
Mine was also put on sale but behind my back. I paid all the fees to get it out of the sale. It's simply easier than to deal with them.

If you have enough equity, you should be able to pay your own taxes rather than keeping an escrow. But lender would have to allow this and, while many do, yours doesn't sound great ....

Can you pay taxes and insurance yourself?

CFPB complaint every time they are late with any payment. I would also file complaints with state regulators where ever the bank is based and where you are based. I'd search through the original mortgage documents to find out if there is an arbitration provision. If there is an if they are responsible for fees, start the process every time they are even a day late. Basically make holding your mortgage as uneconomical as you can so that they sell it

Refi is not a great option, but get in touch with the relevant agencies to file a complaint. Sorry OP, that’s terrible.

I doubt OP would want to refinance right now.

OP, what company is this?

refi and file a complaint with the relevant government agency

Currently being threatened with tax sale, AGAIN, because my mortgage servicer is late paying the tax out of the escrow account. Of course they aren’t who I originally worked with to get my mortgage, but instead who bought my mortgage later. Is there anything I can do to get away from this horrible company?