You can skip a house payment, but only if your lender agrees to it first
Skipping a house payment without permission will damage your credit and put you on track toward foreclosure. But if you contact your lender before the payment is due, you may be able to defer that payment — which means postponing it to the end of your loan instead of paying it now. The payment does not disappear. It gets added to what you owe, and you pay it back later with interest.
The key word is before. Lenders are far more likely to work with you if you call when you still have time to arrange something, not after you have already missed the important date. Most lenders have formal programs for this, though the names and rules vary by company and by loan type.
Key Takeaways
- Deferring a payment means postponing it to the end of your loan, not erasing it — you will owe that money later with added interest.
- You must contact your lender before the payment due date to request a deferral; calling after you miss the important date makes approval much less likely.
- Most mortgage lenders offer forbearance or payment deferral programs, but the rules about how many payments you can skip and for how long depend on your specific loan.
- Skipping a payment without lender permission will report to credit bureaus within 30 days and can trigger foreclosure proceedings.
- If you cannot afford your payment, tell your lender when ready — they have more options to help you than you probably think.
How deferral works and what it costs you
When you defer a payment, your lender agrees to let you skip it this month. That payment amount gets added to the end of your loan — so if you have 25 years left to pay, you will now have 25 years and one month. You will owe interest on that deferred amount, which means the total cost to you is higher than if you had paid on time.
Some lenders call this forbearance instead of deferral, and the terms can be slightly different. Forbearance sometimes means you pay a reduced amount instead of skipping entirely, or you skip for a set period (like three months) and then resume full payments. Deferral usually means the full payment moves to the end. Ask your lender which program they offer and what the exact terms are.
The cost difference is real but usually small for one or two months. If you defer one $1,500 payment, you might pay an extra $50 to $100 in interest over the life of the loan, depending on your interest rate. That is less damaging than missing the payment without permission, which costs you in credit damage and potential legal fees.
When lenders will and will not agree to skip a payment
Lenders are most likely to approve a deferral if you have been paying on time for years and something sudden has happened — a job loss, a medical emergency, a temporary income drop. They are less likely to approve if you have already missed payments, if you are behind on other debts, or if you are asking to skip multiple payments in a row.
The type of loan matters too. Federal loans (like FHA mortgages) have specific deferral rules set by law. Conventional loans (from banks and private lenders) have more flexibility, but each lender sets its own policy. Some will let you defer one payment per year; others allow up to three months of deferrals. Ask your lender what their limit is.
If you are in a state with strong foreclosure protections, your lender may be required to offer you a deferral before they can start foreclosure. If you are in a state with fewer protections, they have more freedom to refuse. This is another reason to call early — you want to negotiate from a position where you still have options.
How to request a deferral from your lender
Start by calling the customer service number on your mortgage statement. Tell them you are having trouble making your next payment and ask what options they have. Do not wait until the payment is late. Most lenders have a department that handles these requests, and they will ask you questions about your income, your hardship, and how long you think you will need help.
Be honest about your situation. If you lost your job, say so. If you had an unexpected medical bill, explain that. Lenders have heard every story, and they respond better to the truth than to vague excuses. They want to know whether this is a one-month problem or a longer-term one, because that affects what they can offer you.
Have your loan number and account information ready. The lender will likely ask for recent pay stubs, a bank statement, or proof of the hardship (like a termination letter or medical bill). They may ask you to fill out a form. The whole process usually takes a few days to a week, though some lenders can give you an answer over the phone.
What happens to your credit if you defer a payment
A deferral that your lender approves in advance does not report to the credit bureaus as a missed payment. Your credit score should not take a hit, because you are not actually late — you have an agreement with your lender to postpone the payment. This is very different from missing a payment without permission.
However, some lenders may note the deferral on your credit report in a way that shows you requested help. This is not the same as a late payment, and it is much less damaging. A few lenders may require you to sign a document acknowledging the deferral, which protects both of you.
If you miss a payment without asking first, it reports as late within 30 days. After 90 days, it becomes a serious delinquency. After 120 days, your lender can begin foreclosure. Those marks stay on your credit report for seven years and will affect your ability to borrow money for a car, a credit card, or another home.
Other options if deferral is not available
If your lender will not agree to a deferral, ask about loan modification. This is a permanent change to your loan terms — your interest rate might go down, or your loan period might extend, which lowers your monthly payment. Modification takes longer to process than deferral (usually several weeks), but it can solve the problem if you cannot afford your current payment.
You can also ask about a repayment plan. This means you resume your regular payment next month, but you also pay a portion of the missed payment alongside it. For example, if you skip this month and your payment is $1,500, next month you might pay $1,500 plus $500 toward the skipped amount, spread over several months.
If you are struggling with multiple debts, a nonprofit credit counselor can help you figure out which option makes sense for your situation. The National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) offers free or low-cost counseling. You can find a counselor near you at nfcc.org.
What to do right now if you cannot make your next payment
Call your lender today. Do not wait until the payment is due or until you have already missed it. Have your loan number ready and be prepared to explain what happened and when you think you will be able to pay again. The earlier you call, the more options your lender has.
Write down the name of the person you speak with, the date and time of the call, and what they told you. If they say they will send you forms or call you back, follow up if you do not hear from them within a few days. Keep records of everything — emails, letters, forms you fill out. If there is a dispute later, these records protect you.
Do not ignore the problem or hope it goes away. Foreclosure starts quietly, and by the time you realize it is happening, you have lost many of your options. Calling your lender is the single most important step you can take.
Frequently Asked Questions
If I defer a payment, do I have to pay it back?
Yes. Deferral moves the payment to the end of your loan, so you will owe it later with interest added. It is not forgiveness. If you want the payment erased, you would need a loan modification or a completely different arrangement, which is much harder to get.
Can my lender start foreclosure if I ask for a deferral?
Not if you ask before you miss the payment. Once you have missed a payment, your lender can legally begin foreclosure even while you are negotiating. This is why calling early matters — you want to reach an agreement before you are officially late.
What if I have already missed a payment?
Call your lender when ready. You are not out of options. Many lenders will still work with you if you contact them within 30 days of missing a payment. After 90 days, your options narrow significantly. The sooner you call, the better.
Does deferral affect my ability to refinance?
A deferral approved in advance should not hurt your ability to refinance, since it does not show as a late payment. However, if you have missed payments or are in active foreclosure, refinancing becomes much harder or impossible until you catch up.
Can I defer multiple payments in a row?
Most lenders will not defer more than one or two payments without requiring a loan modification or another formal arrangement. If you need help for longer than that, ask about modification or a repayment plan instead of multiple deferrals.