(3) Payoff statements. The statement shall be sent within a reasonable time, but in no case more than seven business days, after receiving a written request from the consumer or any person acting on behalf of the consumer.
Section 2943(d)(3) and California case law are very clear that a lender who provides an erroneous payoff demand must reconvey its deed of trust and pursue any remaining debt against the borrower as an unsecured obligation.
Typically, lenders can provide a payoff letter within seven to ten business days upon request. However, processing times may vary depending on the specific lender and their workload.
You will need to ask the lender for the title or a release of its lien on the title to get the clear title in your name. Under CA law, the statute of limitation for most consumer debts arising from written contracts in California expires after four years. This includes credit card debts, auto loans and personal loans.
Under federal law, the servicer must generally send you a payoff statement within seven business days of your request, subject to a few exceptions. (12 C.F.R. § 1026.36.)