§ 22 §4320 — Liens on real estate

A municipality or the State may claim a lien against the owner of real estate for the amount of money spent by it to provide mortgage payments on behalf of an eligible person under this chapter on any real estate that is the subject of a mortgage, whether land or buildings or a combination thereof. In addition, a municipality may claim a lien against the owner of real estate for the amount of money spent by it to make capital improvements to the real estate, whether land or buildings or a combination of land and buildings, on behalf of an eligible person under this chapter.
The municipal officers, their designee or the State shall file a notice of the lien with the register of deeds of the county wherein the property is located within 30 days of making a mortgage payment or, if applicable, payment for capital improvements. That filing secures the municipality or State's lien interest for an amount equal to the sum of that mortgage or capital improvement payment and all subsequent mortgage or capital improvement payments made on behalf of the same eligible person. Not less than 10 days prior to the filing, the municipal officers, their designee or the State shall send notification of the proposed action by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner of the real estate and any record holder of the mortgage. The lien notification must clearly inform the recipient of the limitations upon enforcement contained in this section; it shall also contain the title, address and telephone number of the municipal official who granted the assistance. A new written notice including these provisions must be given to the recipient each time the amount secured by the lien is increased. The lien is effective until enforced by an action for equitable relief or until discharged.
Interest on the amount of money secured by the lien may be charged by the State or a municipality, but in no event may the rate exceed the maximum rate of interest allowed by the Treasurer of State, pursuant to Title 36, section 186. For the State, the rate of interest shall be established by the department. For a municipality, the rate of interest shall be established by the municipal officers. Interest shall accrue from and including the date the lien is filed.
The costs of securing and enforcing the lien may be recoverable upon enforcement.
No lien may be enforced under this section while the person named in the lien is either currently receiving any form of public assistance or, as a result of enforcement, would become eligible for general assistance.
In no event may the lien be enforced prior to the death of the recipient of general assistance or the transfer of the property.

Legislative History

PL 1983, c. 577, §1 (NEW). PL 1983, c. 697, §3 (RPR). PL 1985, c. 489, §§9,14 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 528, §§OOO5,6 (AMD). PL 1991, c. 528, §RRR (AFF). PL 1991, c. 591, §§OOO5,6 (AMD).