§ 33:4720.136.1 — Disposition of property by quiet title and foreclosure action

Louisiana § 33:4720.136.1

• Jurisdiction: Louisiana
• Title 33: Municipalities and Parishes

Text

A. The authority may initiate an expedited quiet title and foreclosure action under this Section to quiet title to real property held by the authority or interests in tax reverted property held by the authority by recording with the register of conveyances a notice of pending expedited quiet title and foreclosure action. The notice shall include a legal description of the property; the street address of the property if available; the name, address, and telephone number of the authority; a statement that the property is subject to expedited quiet title proceedings and foreclosure under this Section; and a statement that any legal interests in the property may be extinguished by a district court order vesting title to the property in the authority. If a notice is recorded in error, the authority may correct the error by recording a certificate of correction with the register of conveyances. A notice or certificate under this Subsection need not be notarized and may be authenticated by a digital signature or other electronic means. If the authority has reason to believe that a property subject to an expedited quiet title and foreclosure action under this Section may be the site of environmental contamination, the authority shall provide the Department of Environmental Quality with any information in the possession of the authority that suggests the property may be the site of environmental contamination.
B. After recording the notice under Subsection A of this Section, the authority shall initiate a search of records identified in this Subsection to identify the owners of a property interest in the property who are entitled to notice of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under this Section. The authority may enter into a contract with or may request from one or more authorized representatives a title search or other title product to identify the owners of a property interest in the property as required under this Subsection or to perform the other functions set forth in this Section required for the quieting of title to property under this Section. The owner of a property interest is entitled to notice under this Section if that owner's interest was identifiable by reference to any of the following sources before the date that the authority records the notice under Subsection A:
(1) Land title records in the office of the clerk of court.
(2) Tax records in the office of the assessor.
C. The authority may file a single petition with the district court to expedite foreclosure under this Section listing all property subject to expedited foreclosure by the authority and for which the authority seeks to quiet title. If available to the authority, the list of properties shall include a legal description of, a tax parcel identification number for, and the street address of each parcel of property. The petition shall seek a judgment in favor of the authority against each property listed and shall include a date, within ninety days, on which the authority requests a hearing on the petition. The petition shall request that a judgment be entered vesting absolute title in the authority, without right of redemption for each parcel of property listed, as provided in this Section. Prior to the entry of judgment under this Section, the authority may request the court to remove property erroneously included in the petition, or any tax delinquent properties redeemed prior to the hearing.
D. The district court in which a petition is filed under Subsection C of this Section, shall immediately set the date, time, and place for a hearing on the petition for foreclosure. The date shall be set by the court and shall not be more than ten days after the date requested by the authority in the petition. In no event may the court schedule the hearing later than ninety days after the filing of a petition by the authority under Subsection C of this Section.
E. After completing the records search under Subsection B of this Section, the authority shall determine the address or addresses reasonably calculated to inform those owners of a property interest in property subject to expedited foreclosure under this Section of the pendency of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Subsection K of this Section. If, after conducting the title search, the authority is unable to determine an address reasonably calculated to inform persons with a property interest in property subject to expedited tax foreclosure, or if the authority discovers a deficiency in notice under Subsection J of this Section, the following shall be considered reasonable steps by the authority to ascertain the addresses of persons with a property interest in the property subject to expedited foreclosure or to ascertain an address necessary to correct a deficiency in notice under Subsection J of this Section:
(1) For an individual, a search of records of the clerk of court.
(2) For a business entity a search of business entity records filed with the corporation division of the Department of State.
F. Not less than thirty days before the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Subsection K of this Section, the authority shall send notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, of the hearing to the persons identified under Subsection E of this Section with a property interest in property subject to expedited foreclosure. The authority shall also send a notice via regular mail addressed to the "Occupant" for each property subject to expedited foreclosure if an address for the property is ascertainable.
G. Not less than thirty days before the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Subsection K of this Section, the authority or its authorized representative or authorized agent shall visit each parcel of property subject to expedited foreclosure and post conspicuously on the property notice of the hearing. In addition to the requirements of Subsection H of this Section, the notice shall also include the following statement: "THIS PROPERTY HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED TO THE ___________________ JEFFERSON PARISH REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AND IS SUBJECT TO AN EXPEDITED QUIET TITLE AND FORECLOSURE ACTION. PERSONS WITH INFORMATION REGARDING THE PRIOR OWNER OF THE PROPERTY ARE REQUESTED TO CONTACT THE JEFFERSON PARISH REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY AT ______________________."
H. The notice required under Subsections F and G of this Section shall include:
(1) The date on which the authority recorded under Subsection A of this Section, notice of the pending expedited quiet title and foreclosure action.
(2) A statement that a person with a property interest in the property may lose his or her interest, if any, as a result of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Subsection K of this Section.
(3) A legal description, parcel number of the property, and the street address of the property, if available.
(4) The person to whom the notice is addressed.
(5) The date and time of the hearing on the petition for foreclosure under Subsection K of this Section, and a statement that the judgment of the court may result in title to the property vesting in the authority.
(6) An explanation of any rights of redemption and notice that the judgment of the court may extinguish any ownership interest in or right to redeem the property.
(7) The name, address, and telephone number of the authority.
(8) A statement that persons with information regarding the owner or prior owner of any of the properties are requested to contact the authority.
I. If the authority is unable to ascertain the address reasonably calculated to inform the owners of a property interest entitled to notice under this Section, or is unable to provide notice under Subsections F or G of this Section, the authority shall provide notice by publication. Prior to the hearing, a notice shall be published for three successive weeks, once each week, in the official newspaper published and circulated in the parish. The published notice shall include all of the following:
(1) A legal description, parcel number of the property, and the street address of the property, if available.
(2) The name of any person not notified under Subsections F or G of this Section, that the authority reasonably believes may be entitled to notice under this Section of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Subsection K of this Section.
(3) A statement that a person with a property interest in the property may lose his or her interest, if any, as a result of the foreclosure proceeding under Subsection K of this Section.
(4) The date and time of the hearing on the petition for foreclosure under Subsection K of this Section.
(5) A statement that the judgment of the court may result in title to the property vesting in the authority.
(6) An explanation of any rights of redemption and notice that judgment of the court may extinguish any ownership interest in or right to redeem the property.
(7) The name, address, and telephone number of the authority.
(8) A statement that persons with information regarding the owner or prior owner of any of the properties are requested to contact the authority.
J. If prior to the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Subsection K of this Section, the authority discovers any deficiency in the provision of notice under this Section, the authority shall take reasonable steps in good faith to correct the deficiency before the hearing. The provisions of this Section relating to notice of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing are exclusive and exhaustive. Other requirements relating to notice and proof of service under other law, rule, or other legal requirement are not applicable to notice or proof of service under this Section.
K. If a petition for expedited quiet title and foreclosure is filed under Subsection C of this Section, before the hearing, the authority shall file with the district court proof of notice by certified mail under Subsection F of this Section, proof of notice by posting on the property under Subsection G of this Section, and proof of notice by publication, if applicable. A person claiming an interest in a parcel of property set forth in the petition for foreclosure who desires to contest that petition shall file written objections with the district court and serve those objections on the authority before the date of the hearing. The district court may appoint and utilize as the court considers necessary a curator for assistance with the resolution of any objections to the foreclosure or questions regarding the title to property subject to foreclosure. If the court withholds property from foreclosure, the authority's ability to include the property in a subsequent petition for expedited quiet title and foreclosure is not prejudiced. No injunction shall issue to stay an expedited quiet title and foreclosure action under this Section. The district court shall enter judgment on a petition to quiet title and foreclosure filed under Subsection C of this Section, not more than ten days after the conclusion of the hearing or contested case, and the judgment shall be effective ten days after the conclusion of the hearing or contested case. The district court's judgment shall specify all of the following:
(1) The legal description and, if known, the street address of the property foreclosed.
(2) That title to property foreclosed by the judgment is vested absolutely in the authority without any further rights of redemption.
(3) That all liens against the property, including any lien for unpaid taxes or special assessments are extinguished.
(4) That, except as otherwise provided in Paragraphs (3) and (5) of this Subsection, the authority has good and marketable title to the property.
(5) That all existing recorded and unrecorded interests in that property are extinguished, except a visible or recorded easement or right-of-way or private deed restrictions.
(6) A finding that all persons entitled to notice and an opportunity to be heard have been provided that notice and opportunity. A person shall be deemed to have been provided notice and an opportunity to be heard if the authority followed the procedures for provision of notice by mail, for visits to property subject to expedited quiet title and foreclosure, and for publication under this Section, or if one or more of the following apply:
(a) The person had constructive notice of the hearing by acquiring an interest in the property after the date of the recording under Subsection A of this Section, of the notice of pending expedited quiet title and foreclosure action.
(b) The person appeared at the hearing under this Subsection or submitted written objections to the district court under this Subsection prior to the hearing.
(c) Prior to the hearing under this Subsection, the person had actual notice of the hearing.
L. Except as otherwise provided in Paragraphs (K)(3) and (5) of this Section, title to property set forth in a petition for foreclosure filed under Subsection C of this Section, shall vest absolutely in the authority upon the effective date of the judgment by the district court and the authority shall have absolute title to the property. The authority's title is not subject to any recorded or unrecorded lien, except as provided in Subsection K of this Section, and shall not be stayed or held invalid except as provided in Subsection M of this Section. A judgment entered under this Section is a final order with respect to the property affected by the judgment and shall not be modified, stayed, or held invalid after the effective date of the judgment, except as provided in Subsection N of this Section.
M. The authority or a person claiming to have a property interest under Subsection B of this Section, in property foreclosed under this Section may within twenty-one days of the effective date of the judgment under Subsection L of this Section, appeal the district court's order or the district court's judgment foreclosing property to the court of appeals. An appeal under this Subsection is limited to the record of the proceedings in the district court under this Section. The district court's judgment foreclosing property shall be stayed until the court of appeals has reversed, modified, or affirmed that judgment. If an appeal under this Subsection stays the district court's judgment foreclosing property, the district court's judgment is stayed only as to the property that is the subject of that appeal and the district court's judgment foreclosing other property that is not the subject of that appeal is not stayed. To appeal the district court's judgment foreclosing property, a person appealing the judgment shall pay to the authority any taxes, interest, penalties, and fees due on the property and provide notice of the appeal to the authority within twenty-one days after the district court's judgment is effective. If the district court's judgment foreclosing the property is affirmed on appeal, the amount determined to be due shall be refunded to the person who appealed the judgment. If the district court's judgment foreclosing the property is reversed or modified on appeal, the authority shall refund the amount determined to be due to the person who appealed the judgment, if any, and forward the balance to the appropriate taxing jurisdictions in accordance with the order of the court of appeals.
N. The authority shall record a notice of judgment for each parcel of foreclosed property in the office of the register of conveyances. If the authority records a notice of judgment in error, the authority may subsequently record a certificate of correction. A notice or certificate under this Subsection need not be notarized and may be authenticated by a digital signature or other electronic means. After the entry of a judgment foreclosing the property under this Section, if the property has not been transferred by the authority, the authority may cancel the foreclosure by recording with the register of conveyances a certificate of error, if the authority discovers any of the following:
(1) The description of the property used in the expedited quiet title and foreclosure proceeding was so indefinite or erroneous that the foreclosure of the property was void.
(2) An owner of an interest in the property entitled to notice of the expedited quiet title and proceedings against the property under this Section was not provided notice sufficient to satisfy the minimum due process requirements of the constitution of this state and the constitution of the United States.
(3) A judgment of foreclosure was entered under this Section in violation of an order issued by a United States bankruptcy court.
O. If a judgment of foreclosure is entered under Subsection L of this Section, and all existing recorded and unrecorded interests in a parcel of property are extinguished as provided in Subsection L of this Section, the owner of any extinguished recorded or unrecorded interest in that property who claims that he or she did not receive notice of the expedited quiet title and foreclosure action shall not bring an action for possession of the property against any subsequent owner, but may only bring an action to recover monetary damages as provided in this Subsection. The district court has original and exclusive jurisdiction in any action to recover monetary damages under this Subsection. An action to recover monetary damages under this Subsection shall not be brought more than two years after a judgment for foreclosure is entered under Subsection L of this Section. Any monetary damages recoverable under this Subsection shall be determined as of the date a judgment for foreclosure is entered under Subsection L of this Section and shall not exceed the fair market value of the interest in the property held by the person bringing the action under this Section on that date, less any taxes, interest, penalties, and fees owed on the property as of that date. The right to sue for monetary damages under this Subsection shall not be transferable except by testate or intestate succession.
P. The owner of a property interest with notice of the quiet title and foreclosure hearing under Subsection K of this Section, may not assert any of the following:
(1) That notice to the owner was insufficient or inadequate in any way because some other owner of a property interest in the property was not notified.
(2) That any right to redeem tax reverted property was extended in any way because some other person was not notified.
Q. A person holding or formerly holding an interest in tax reverted property subject to expedited foreclosure under this Section is barred from questioning the validity of the expedited foreclosure under this Section.
R. The failure of the authority to comply with any provision of this Section shall not invalidate any proceeding under this Section if a person with a property interest in property subject to foreclosure was accorded the minimum due process required under the Constitution of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States.
S. It is the intent of the legislature that the provisions of this Section relating to the expedited quiet title and foreclosure of property by the authority satisfy the minimum requirements of due process required under the Constitution of Louisiana and the Constitution of the United States but that the provisions do not create new rights beyond those required under the Constitution of Louisiana or the Constitution of the United States. The failure of the authority to follow a requirement of this Section relating to the expedited quiet title and foreclosure of property held by the authority shall not be construed to create a claim or cause of action against the authority unless the minimum requirements of due process accorded under the Constitution of Louisiana or the Constitution of the United States are violated.
T. As used in this Section, "authorized representative" includes one or more of the following:
(1) A title insurance company or agent licensed to conduct business in this state.
(2) An attorney licensed to practice law in this state.
(3) A person accredited in land title search procedures by a nationally recognized organization in the field of land title searching.
(4) A person with demonstrated experience in the field of searching land title records, as determined by the authority.

Legislative History

Acts 2007, No. 390, §1, eff. July 10, 2007.