Rocket Mortgage Lawsuit 2026, RESPA Violations, Mortgage Steering Allegations, and What Homebuyers Need to Know

A class-action lawsuit filed January 26, 2026, accuses Rocket Mortgage of steering hundreds of thousands of homebuyers into disadvantageous loans through an illegal referral network, potentially costing consumers millions in excess interest and fees.

What Is the Rocket Mortgage Lawsuit About?

The lawsuit accuses Rocket Companies—including Rocket Mortgage, Rocket Homes, and Amrock Holdings—of violating the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act, a federal law protecting homebuyers from kickbacks and steering schemes.

Here’s the alleged scheme. Rocket Homes operated a referral network connecting homebuyers with real estate agents who paid a 35% referral fee. In exchange, agents were pressured to steer clients to Rocket Mortgage—even when better loan options existed elsewhere.

Three homebuyers—Barbara Waller, Elizabeth Johnson, and Randel Clark—filed the case in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan, represented by Hagens Berman, the firm behind over $1 billion in real estate commission settlements.

The lawsuit follows a December 2024 Consumer Financial Protection Bureau case over similar allegations. That four-year federal investigation found Rocket charged higher rates to consumers who went through the Rocket Homes network.

Are You Eligible to Join?

The proposed class includes anyone who financed a home purchase using Rocket Mortgage or Quicken Loans from January 1, 2019, to the present. You may be eligible if you bought a home during this period, used Rocket Mortgage for financing, were referred by a real estate agent, and believe you paid higher rates than necessary.

How the Alleged Scheme Worked

Rocket Homes funneled leads to real estate agents who paid 35% commission fees and were expected to direct clients to Rocket’s mortgage products. The lawsuit claims some agents were trained to discourage comparison shopping, suggesting home settlements could fall through if buyers explored other lenders.

Agents were also reportedly discouraged from sharing information about down payment assistance programs that could save buyers thousands.

What Are the Key Allegations?

RESPA prohibits kickbacks in exchange for referrals of real estate settlement services involving federally-related mortgage loans. The lawsuit alleges Rocket Homes gave incentives—including referrals, priority placement, and continued access to leads—in exchange for agents steering clients to Rocket Mortgage.

The CFPB’s four-year investigation uncovered internal communications showing Rocket Mortgage charged higher rates and fees to consumers who came through the Rocket Homes network—evidence of illegal steering.

The plaintiffs are asking for treble damages (three times the actual harm), single damages, disgorgement of Rocket’s profits, and injunctive relief to stop the steering practices.

What You Must Know Before Filing

This lawsuit was just filed on January 26, 2026. There’s no settlement, no approved class, and no claim form yet. If you think you’re affected, preserve your documents now.

Start gathering: mortgage application and closing documents, communications with your real estate agent about lender selection, Good Faith Estimate or Loan Estimate showing your interest rate, evidence of when you closed, and records showing which agent referred you to Rocket Mortgage.

In class actions, you’re automatically included if you meet the eligibility criteria—unless you opt out. If the case settles, you’ll receive a notice asking you to submit a claim.

Don’t throw away your mortgage documents. Don’t ignore future class-action notices—miss the deadline and you lose your chance at compensation.

Rocket Mortgage’s Response

Rocket Companies called the allegations baseless, saying they “categorically disagree and will dispute the allegations.” The company said the case is “a complete retread of the case that the CFPB filed and was quickly dismissed,” though the CFPB case was filed in December 2024 and remains pending.

What to Do Next

Track Waller v. Rocket Companies through the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan’s online docket system. Organize your mortgage documents, closing statements, and agent communications now.

If you believe you were significantly harmed—for example, if you paid thousands more in interest because you were steered to Rocket Mortgage—speak with a consumer protection attorney.

File a complaint with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau at consumerfinance.gov or call (855) 411-CFPB.

In December 2024, the CFPB filed its own lawsuit against Rocket Homes and The Jason Mitchell Group over similar allegations.

For more on similar mortgage steering cases, see our coverage of the Zillow RICO Lawsuit and the DR Horton Class Action Lawsuit.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the Deadline to File a Claim?

There’s no claim deadline yet. When a settlement is reached, you’ll receive notice with specific deadline information.

How Much Could I Recover?

It’s too early to know. Settlement amounts depend on the number of class members, evidence strength, and negotiations. Any payout would likely be based on the difference between what you paid and what you should have paid.

Do I Need a Lawyer?

Not necessarily. If the case reaches a settlement, you’ll be automatically included. Hagens Berman works on contingency. However, if your damages are substantial, consult an attorney about opting out.

Can I File If I Sold My Home?

Yes. If you obtained a Rocket Mortgage between January 1, 2019 and now, you may be eligible regardless of whether you still own the property.

What If I Was Happy With My Mortgage?

You may still be part of the class. The lawsuit alleges Rocket’s practices violated federal law regardless of individual satisfaction.

Is This the Same as the CFPB Case?

No. The CFPB case is a government enforcement action. This is a private class action seeking damages for consumers.

Am I Eligible If I Refinanced?

The lawsuit covers home purchases, not refinances. However, if you were steered to refinance through the same network, you may have claims.

Last Updated: January 27, 2026

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.

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About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
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