§ 46:18-11 — 3 Penalty.

2. a. (1) If the mortgagee fails to comply with the applicable provisions of subsection a. or b. of section 1 of P.L.1975, c.137 (C.46:18-11.2), the mortgagor or the mortgagor's agent may serve the mortgagee with written notice of the noncompliance, which notice shall identify the mortgage and the date and means of its redemption, payment and satisfaction. If the mortgagee has not complied within 15 business days after receipt of the written notice from the mortgagor or mortgagor's agent pursuant to this paragraph (1), the mortgagee shall be subject to a fine of $50 per day for each day after the 15-day period until compliance, except that the total fine imposed pursuant to this paragraph (1) shall not exceed $1,000. (2) If the mortgagee fails to comply with the applicable provisions of section 1 of P.L.1975, c.137 (C.46:18-11.2), the purchaser or the purchaser's agent may serve the mortgagee with written notice of the noncompliance, which notice shall identify the mortgage and the date and means of its redemption, payment and satisfaction. If the mortgagee has not complied within 15 business days after receipt of the written notice from the purchaser or purchaser's agent pursuant to this paragraph (2), the mortgagee shall be subject to a fine of $50 per day for each day after the 15-day period until compliance, except that the total fine imposed pursuant to this paragraph (2) shall not exceed $1,000. b. Of each fine collected pursuant to subsection a. of this section, 100% shall be payable to the private citizen instituting the action. The fine may be collected by summary proceedings instituted by a private citizen or the Attorney General in accordance with the "Penalty Enforcement Law of 1999," P.L.1999, c.274 (C.2A:58-10 et seq.). c. (1) If a mortgagee has not applied to the county recording officer to cancel the mortgage of record pursuant to subsection a. or b. of section 1 of P.L.1975, c.137 (C.46:18-11.2), within the 15 business day period provided by paragraph (1) of subsection a. of this section, the mortgagee shall be liable to the mortgagor for the greater of the mortgagor's actual damages or the sum of $1,000, less any fines recovered by the mortgagor pursuant to paragraph (1) of subsection a. and paragraph (1) of subsection b. of this section. In any successful action to recover damages pursuant to this paragraph (1), the mortgagee shall reimburse the mortgagor for the costs of the action including the mortgagor's reasonable attorneys' fees. (2) If a mortgagee has not applied to the county recording officer to cancel the mortgage of record pursuant to subsection a. or b. of section 1 of P.L.1975, c.137 (C.46:18-11.2), within the 15 business day period provided by paragraph (2) of subsection a. of this section, the mortgagee shall be liable to the purchaser for the greater of the purchaser's actual damages or the sum of $1,000, less any fines recovered by the purchaser pursuant to paragraph (2) of subsection a. and paragraph (2) of subsection b. of this section. In any successful action to recover damages pursuant to this paragraph (2), the mortgagee shall reimburse the purchaser for the costs of the action including the purchaser's reasonable attorneys' fees. amended 1991, c.289, s.3; 1999, c.272, s.2; 2015, c.225, s.2.