Industry Resources

Below are some helpful tools, government links and information about related industries and associations. You may also visit the Advocacy section of the TLTA website to learn more about current issues affecting the industry, the Texas Department of Insurance, the state legislature, federal legislation and regulation, judiciary matters and more about related agencies.

Helpful Tools and Information

Compliance FAQS Guide
TLTA and the Texas Department of Insurance (TDI) have received a number of questions regarding which settlement statement forms are required and which are optional under the new TILA RESPA Integrated Disclosure (TRID) regulations that went into effect on Oct. 3, 2015. Here is an Compliance FAQs guide to help.

Basic Manual for the Writing of Title Insurance in the State of Texas
The Basic Manual contains all the rates, rules and forms promulgated by the Texas Department of Insurance. It also contains Title 11 of the Texas Insurance Code, the law that governs the regulation of title insurance. Learn more about TLTA's Basic Manual Service — the best way to make sure your Basic Manual is always up-to-date.

TDI's Tool for Lender Compliance
The TDI website “How TDI Regulates and Oversees Texas Title Insurance Agents” outlines the strict regulations that title agents are subject to in Texas. This tool can assist title agents in explaining Texas’ high industry standards to lenders, consumers and other non-industry parties.
Learn More »

Texas Department of Insurance
Licensed Title Agents and Escrow Officers | Company Lookup

Texas Title Insurance Guaranty Association
Board of Directors & Staff | Guaranty Fees | Receiverships & Liquidations | Quarterly Reports

Title Insurance Premium Tax
An annual tax is imposed on all premium from the business of title insurance. The rate of the tax is 1.35 percent of title insurance taxable premiums for a calendar year, including any premiums retained by a title insurance agent.
Read the Law »

Title Agent Franchise Tax Exemption
Texas Title Insurance Agents are exempt from paying the franchise tax. This exemption is in place because Texas Title Insurance Underwriters remit, on behalf of the agents, the “gross receipts on insurance” or “premium” tax to the Texas Comptroller on the agents’ retained portion of the gross premium. A Title Insurance Agent must apply with the Texas Comptroller for the exemption in accordance with the rule regarding this matter, which can be found here under Rule 3.583, Qualification for Exemption. The statute governing this exemption can be found here under Section 171.052.

Best Practices for the Real Estate Settlement Process
These best practices were identified and developed through a collaborative effort between the mortgage lending and title insurance industries in Texas. They are designed for use by professionals involved in the real estate settlement process as a way to establish appropriate timelines and create efficiencies while preserving the integrity of the transaction and providing transparency, predictability and superior service to the consumer. These practices are jointly endorsed by the Texas Mortgage Bankers Association and the Texas Land Title Association for consideration and use on a voluntary basis by parties involved in the settlement process.
View Document »

ALTA Title Insurance & Settlement Company Best Practices
The American Land Title Association (ALTA) has created best practices to help members highlight policies and procedures the industry exercises to protect lenders and consumers, while ensuring a positive and compliant real estate settlement experience. Learn more here.

Texas Resources

Follow State Legislation
Information on bills and committees, find your representative, search Texas statutes and constitution.
Website

Attorney General of Texas
Website | Public Information & Assistance: 800.252.8011

General Land Office
Website | 800.998.4456

Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner
Website | Licensing: 512.936.7601 | Consumer Hot Line: 800.538.1579

Secretary of State
Verify corporate ownership/Licensed notaries/Administrative Code — Texas Register/Uniform Commercial Code information
Website | 512.463.5555

TDHCA Manufactured Housing Division
For lenders, title companies, attorney’s offices and industry calling about SOL matters:
888.576.2240

For emailing responses to our Requests for Additional Information (RAI): Email
For emailing a copy of a Statement of Ownership and Location, stamped “Filed” by the county clerk, to perfect an election to real property: Email

Texas Department of Banking
Website | 512.475.1300

Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs
Website | 512.475.3800

Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending
Website | 512.475.1350

Texas Real Estate Commission
TREC forms, laws and publications/Continuing education — credit/hours and helpful information/Real Estate License Act
Website | 512.936.3000

National Resources

Follow Federal Legislation
US House of Representatives | US Senate | Library of Congress

Fannie Mae
Website
Consumer Resource Center: 800.7FANNIE (800.732.6643)
Corporate Headquarters: 202.752.7000
Southwestern Regional Office: 972.773.HOME (972.773.4663)

FDIC
Website | Call Center: 877.ASKFDIC (877.275.3342)

Freddie Mac
Website
Headquarters: 703.903.2000
Southwest Region: 972.702.2000

IRS
Website | Contact your local office in Texas | IRS FAQs

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-Federal Housing Authority
Website | 210.475.6806

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Website
Regional office — Waco: 800.827.1000
Loan processing & servicing in Houston: 888.232.2571

Related Industries & Associations

Texas Court Clerks Association
Website

Independent Bankers Association of Texas
Website | 512.474.6889

Legal Services Corporation
Website | 202.295.1500

Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University
Website | 409-845-2031 | 800.244.2144

Texas Bankers Association
Website | 512.472.8388

State Bar of Texas
Website | 512.427.1463 | 800.204.2222

Texas Association of Builders
Website | 512.476.6346 | 800.252.3652

Texas Association of Mortgage Brokers
Website | 800.850.8262

Texas Association of Realtors
Website | 800.873.9155

Texas Association of Real Estate Inspectors
Website | 512.479.0425 | 800.241.1977

Texas Association of Reverse Mortgage Lenders
Website | 877-RM-TEXAS (877-768-3927)

Texas County Appraisal Districts
Website

Texas Department of Housing & Community Affairs
Website | Manufactured Housing

Texas Finance Commission
Website | 512.936.6222

Texas Mortgage Bankers Association
Website | 512.482.8622

Texas Society of Professional Surveyors
Website | 512.327.7871