§ 55:19-88 — Designation of possessor if owner unsuccessful in defending against complaint.

11. a. If an owner is unsuccessful in defending against a complaint filed pursuant to section 7 of P.L.2003, c.210 (C.55:19-84), the mortgage holder or lien holder may seek to be designated in possession of the property by submitting a plan and posting a bond meeting the same conditions as set forth in section 10 of P.L.2003, c.210 (C.55:19-87). The plan shall be submitted within 60 days after the court has rejected the owner's plan, unless the court provides the mortgage holder or lienholder with an extension of time for good cause shown. If the court approves any such mortgage holder or lien holder's plan, it shall designate that party to be in possession of the property for purposes of ensuring its rehabilitation and reuse and may appoint the public officer to act as monitor of the party's compliance. The mortgage holder or lien holder, as the case may be, shall provide quarterly reports to the court and the municipality on its activities and progress toward rehabilitation and reuse of the property. If the mortgage holder or lien holder fails to carry out any material step in the approved plan, then the public officer shall notify the court, which may order the bond forfeit, grant the municipality possession of the property, and authorize the municipality to use the proceeds of the bond for rehabilitation of the property. b. Any sums incurred or advanced for the purpose of rehabilitating the property by a mortgage holder or lien holder granted possession of a property pursuant to subsection a. of this section, including court costs and reasonable attorney's fees, may be added to the unpaid balance due that mortgage holder or lien holder, with interest calculated at the same rate set forth in the note or security agreement; or, in the case of a tax lien holder, at the statutory interest rate for subsequent liens. L.2003,c.210,s.11; amended 2005, c.118, s.7.