SB 983: Mortgages and deeds of trust.
- Session Year: 2015-2016
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2016-08-22
Existing law requires a mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustee sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. Existing law, in the case of a short sale, requires the rescission or cancellation of the pending trustees sale to occur when the short sale has been approved and proof of funds or financing has been provided, as specified.
This bill would make a clarifying change by eliminating the reference to rescission in the case of a pending trustees sale.
Existing law limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees that may be charged in connection with the enforcement of certain terms of obligation upon default in payment under a mortgage or deed of trust prior to reinstatement of a monetary default, or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, or otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, to a base amount not to exceed $300 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $250 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000. Existing law, in lieu of an authorized charge, limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees after the notice of sale is deposited in the mail and until the property is sold by power of sale, to a base amount not to exceed $425 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $360 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000.
This bill would increase the base limitations on the amount of those trustees or attorneys fees by $50.
Existing law requires a mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustee sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. Existing law, in the case of a short sale, requires the rescission or cancellation of the pending trustees sale to occur when the short sale has been approved and proof of funds or financing has been provided, as specified.
This bill would make a clarifying change by eliminating the reference to rescission in the case of a pending trustees sale.
Existing law limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees that may be charged in connection with the enforcement of certain terms of obligation upon default in payment under a mortgage or deed of trust prior to reinstatement of a monetary default, or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, or otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, to a base amount not to exceed $300 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $250 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000. Existing law, in lieu of an authorized charge, limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees after the notice of sale is deposited in the mail and until the property is sold by power of sale, to a base amount not to exceed $425 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $360 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000.
This bill would increase the base limitations on the amount of those trustees or attorneys fees by $50.
Existing law requires a legal owner to maintain vacant residential property purchased at a foreclosure sale or acquired by the owner through foreclosure under a mortgage or deed of trust and authorizes a governmental entity to impose a civil fine, as specified, for a violation. Existing law requires a governmental entity, prior to imposing a fine or penalty for failure to maintain a vacant property, as specified, to provide the owner of that property with a notice of the violation and an opportunity to correct that violation.
This bill would provide that a trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee is not a legal owner or owner, as applicable, for purposes of the provisions described above.
Existing law requires a mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustee sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. Existing law, in the case of a short sale, requires the rescission or cancellation of the pending trustees sale to occur when the short sale has been approved and proof of funds or financing has been provided, as specified.
This bill would make a clarifying change by eliminating the reference to rescission in the case of a pending trustees sale.
Existing law limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees that may be charged in connection with the enforcement of certain terms of obligation upon default in payment under a mortgage or deed of trust prior to reinstatement of a monetary default, or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, or otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, to a base amount not to exceed $300 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $250 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000. Existing law, in lieu of an authorized charge, limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees after the notice of sale is deposited in the mail and until the property is sold by power of sale, to a base amount not to exceed $425 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $360 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000.
This bill would increase the base limitations on the amount of those trustees or attorneys fees by $50.
Existing law imposes various requirements to be satisfied prior to exercising a power of sale under a mortgage or deed of trust. Existing law, with respect to residential real property containing up to 4 dwelling units, requires a mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to provide to the mortgagor or trustor a copy of the recorded notice of default and a copy of the recorded notice of sale.
This bill would instead require the mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to provide the mortgagor or trustor with a copy of the notice of default indicating the recording date and a copy of the notice of sale indicating the recording date.
Existing law requires a legal owner to maintain vacant residential property purchased at a foreclosure sale or acquired by the owner through foreclosure under a mortgage or deed of trust and authorizes a governmental entity to impose a civil fine, as specified, for a violation. Existing law requires a governmental entity, prior to imposing a fine or penalty for failure to maintain a vacant property, as specified, to provide the owner of that property with a notice of the violation and an opportunity to correct that violation.
This bill would provide that a trustee under a deed of trust or a trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee is not a legal owner or owner, as applicable, for purposes of the provisions described above. This bill would also provide that a trustee under a deed of trust is not responsible for any obligation or failure to maintain or register a property subject to foreclosure.
Existing law requires a mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustee sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. Existing law, in the case of a short sale, requires the rescission or cancellation of the pending trustees sale to occur when the short sale has been approved and proof of funds or financing has been provided, as specified.
This bill would make a clarifying change by eliminating the reference to rescission in the case of a pending trustees sale.
Existing law limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees that may be charged in connection with the enforcement of certain terms of obligation upon default in payment under a mortgage or deed of trust prior to reinstatement of a monetary default, or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, or otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, to a base amount not to exceed $300 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $250 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000. Existing law, in lieu of an authorized charge, limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees after the notice of sale is deposited in the mail and until the property is sold by power of sale, to a base amount not to exceed $425 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $360 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000.
This bill would increase the base limitations on the amount of those trustees or attorneys fees by $50.
Existing law, before any sale of property can be made under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage, requires notice of the sale to be given. Existing law requires the notice of sale to contain specified information regarding the property and the sale, and to be recorded with the county recorder, as specified. Existing law, on and after April 1, 2012, also requires the notice of sale to contain language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding on property at a trustees sale.
This bill would revise the language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding at a trustees sale.
Existing law imposes various requirements to be satisfied prior to exercising a power of sale under a mortgage or deed of trust. Existing law, with respect to residential real property containing up to 4 dwelling units, requires a mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to provide to the mortgagor or trustor a copy of the recorded notice of default and a copy of the recorded notice of sale.
This bill would instead require the mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to provide the mortgagor or trustor with a copy of the notice of default indicating the recording date and a copy of the notice of sale indicating the recording date.
Existing law, before any sale of property can be made under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage, requires notice of the sale to be given. Existing law requires the notice of sale to contain specified information regarding the property and the sale, and to be recorded with the county recorder, as specified. Existing law, on and after April 1, 2012, also requires the notice of sale to contain language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding on property at a trustees sale.
This bill would revise the language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding at a trustees sale.
Existing law requires a legal owner to maintain vacant residential property purchased at a foreclosure sale or acquired by the owner through foreclosure under a mortgage or deed of trust and authorizes a governmental entity to impose a civil fine, as specified, for a violation. Existing law requires a governmental entity, prior to imposing a fine or penalty for failure to maintain a vacant property, as specified, to provide the owner of that property with a notice of the violation and an opportunity to correct that violation.
This bill would provide that a trustee under a deed of trust or a trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee is not a legal owner or owner, as applicable, for purposes of the provisions described above. This bill would also provide that a trustee under a deed of trust is not responsible for any obligation or failure to maintain or register a property subject to foreclosure.
Existing law requires a mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustee sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. Existing law, in the case of a short sale, requires the rescission or cancellation of the pending trustees sale to occur when the short sale has been approved and proof of funds or financing has been provided, as specified.
This bill would make a clarifying change by eliminating the reference to rescission in the case of a pending trustees sale.
Existing law limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees that may be charged in connection with the enforcement of certain terms of obligation upon default in payment under a mortgage or deed of trust prior to reinstatement of a monetary default, or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, or otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, to a base amount not to exceed $300 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $250 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000. Existing law, in lieu of an authorized charge, limits the amount of trustees or attorneys fees after the notice of sale is deposited in the mail and until the property is sold by power of sale, to a base amount not to exceed $425 for an unpaid principal balance sum of $150,000 or less, or $360 plus specified additional percentages of unpaid principal sums, if the unpaid principal balance exceeds $150,000.
This bill would increase the base limitations on the amount of those trustees or attorneys fees by $50.
Existing law, before any sale of property can be made under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage, requires notice of the sale to be given. Existing law requires the notice of sale to contain specified information regarding the property and the sale, and to be recorded with the county recorder, as specified. Existing law, on and after April 1, 2012, also requires the notice of sale to contain language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding on property at a trustees sale.
This bill would revise the language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding at a trustees sale.
Existing law imposes various requirements to be satisfied prior to exercising a power of sale under a mortgage or deed of trust. Existing law, with respect to residential real property containing up to 4 dwelling units, requires a mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to provide to the mortgagor or trustor a copy of the recorded notice of default and a copy of the recorded notice of sale.
This bill would instead require the mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to provide the mortgagor or trustor with a copy of the notice of default indicating the recording date and a copy of the notice of sale indicating the recording date.
Existing law, before any sale of property can be made under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage, requires notice of the sale to be given. Existing law requires the notice of sale to contain specified information regarding the property and the sale, and to be recorded with the county recorder, as specified. Existing law, on and after April 1, 2012, also requires the notice of sale to contain language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding on property at a trustees sale.
This bill would revise the language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding at a trustees sale.
Existing law requires a mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustee sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. Existing law, in the case of a short sale, requires the rescission or cancellation of the pending trustees sale to occur when the short sale has been approved and proof of funds or financing has been provided, as specified.
This bill would make a clarifying change by eliminating the reference to rescission in the case of a pending trustees sale.
(a)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing prior to the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(b)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing after the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of sale or conduct a trustees sale under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(c)When a borrower accepts an offered first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall provide the borrower with a copy of the fully executed loan modification agreement or agreement evidencing the foreclosure prevention alternative following receipt of the executed copy from the borrower.
(d)A mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustees sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. In the case of a short sale, the cancellation of the pending trustees sale shall occur when the short sale has been approved by all parties and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent.
(e)The mortgage servicer shall not charge any application, processing, or other fee for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative.
(f)The mortgage servicer shall not collect any late fees for periods during which a complete first lien loan modification application is under consideration or a denial is being appealed, the borrower is making timely modification payments, or a foreclosure prevention alternative is being evaluated or exercised.
(g)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of that borrowers loan is transferred or sold to another mortgage servicer, the subsequent mortgage servicer shall continue to honor any previously approved first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, in accordance with the provisions of the act that added this section.
(h)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(i)This section shall not apply to entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 2.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 87 of the Statutes of 2012, is repealed.SEC. 3.Section 2924c of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924c.(a)(1)Whenever all or a portion of the principal sum of any obligation secured by deed of trust or mortgage on real property or an estate for years therein hereafter executed has, prior to the maturity date fixed in that obligation, become due or been declared due by reason of default in payment of interest or of any installment of principal, or by reason of failure of trustor or mortgagor to pay, in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, taxes, assessments, premiums for insurance, or advances made by beneficiary or mortgagee in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, the trustor or mortgagor or his or her successor in interest in the mortgaged or trust property or any part thereof, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon, at any time within the period specified in subdivision (e), if the power of sale therein is to be exercised, or, otherwise at any time prior to entry of the decree of foreclosure, may pay to the beneficiary or the mortgagee or their successors in interest, respectively, the entire amount due, at the time payment is tendered, with respect to (A) all amounts of principal, interest, taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or advances actually known by the beneficiary to be, and that are, in default and shown in the notice of default, under the terms of the deed of trust or mortgage and the obligation secured thereby, (B) all amounts in default on recurring obligations not shown in the notice of default, and (C) all reasonable costs and expenses, subject to subdivision (c), that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation, deed of trust, or mortgage, and trustees or attorneys fees, subject to subdivision (d), other than the portion of principal as would not then be due had no default occurred, and thereby cure the default theretofore existing, and thereupon, all proceedings theretofore had or instituted shall be dismissed or discontinued and the obligation and deed of trust or mortgage shall be reinstated and shall be and remain in force and effect, the same as if the acceleration had not occurred. This section does not apply to bonds or other evidences of indebtedness authorized or permitted to be issued by the Department of Business Oversight or made by a public utility subject to the Public Utilities Code. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term recurring obligation means all amounts of principal and interest on the loan, or rents, subject to the deed of trust or mortgage in default due after the notice of default is recorded; all amounts of principal and interest or rents advanced on senior liens or leaseholds that are advanced after the recordation of the notice of default; and payments of taxes, assessments, and hazard insurance advanced after recordation of the notice of default. If the beneficiary or mortgagee has made no advances on defaults that would constitute recurring obligations, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require the trustor or mortgagor to provide reliable written evidence that the amounts have been paid prior to reinstatement.
(2)If the trustor, mortgagor, or other person authorized to cure the default pursuant to this subdivision does cure the default, the beneficiary or mortgagee or the agent for the beneficiary or mortgagee shall, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice of rescission that rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale and advises the trustee of the date of reinstatement. The trustee shall cause the notice of rescission to be recorded within 30 days of receipt of the notice of rescission and of all allowable fees and costs.
No charge, except for the recording fee, shall be made against the trustor or mortgagor for the execution and recordation of the notice which rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale.
(b)(1)The notice, of any default described in this section, recorded pursuant to Section 2924, and mailed to any person pursuant to Section 2924b, shall begin with the following statement, printed or typed thereon:
IMPORTANT NOTICE [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed]
IF YOUR PROPERTY IS IN FORECLOSURE BECAUSE YOU ARE BEHIND IN YOUR PAYMENTS, IT MAY BE SOLD WITHOUT ANY COURT ACTION, [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed] and you may have the legal right to bring your account in good standing by paying all of your past due payments plus permitted costs and expenses within the time permitted by law for reinstatement of your account, which is normally five business days prior to the date set for the sale of your property. No sale date may be set until approximately 90 days from the date this notice of default may be recorded (which date of recordation appears on this notice).
This amount is | as of |
(Date) |
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and will increase until your account becomes current.
While your property is in foreclosure, you still must pay other obligations (such as insurance and taxes) required by your note and deed of trust or mortgage. If you fail to make future payments on the loan, pay taxes on the property, provide insurance on the property, or pay other obligations as required in the note and deed of trust or mortgage, the beneficiary or mortgagee may insist that you do so in order to reinstate your account in good standing. In addition, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require as a condition to reinstatement that you provide reliable written evidence that you paid all senior liens, property taxes, and hazard insurance premiums.
Upon your written request, the beneficiary or mortgagee will give you a written itemization of the entire amount you must pay. You may not have to pay the entire unpaid portion of your account, even though full payment was demanded, but you must pay all amounts in default at the time payment is made. However, you and your beneficiary or mortgagee may mutually agree in writing prior to the time the notice of sale is posted (which may not be earlier than three months after this notice of default is recorded) to, among other things, (1) provide additional time in which to cure the default by transfer of the property or otherwise; or (2) establish a schedule of payments in order to cure your default; or both (1) and (2).
Following the expiration of the time period referred to in the first paragraph of this notice, unless the obligation being foreclosed upon or a separate written agreement between you and your creditor permits a longer period, you have only the legal right to stop the sale of your property by paying the entire amount demanded by your creditor.
To find out the amount you must pay, or to arrange for payment to stop the foreclosure, or if your property is in foreclosure for any other reason, contact:
(Name of beneficiary or mortgagee) | |
|---|---|
(Mailing address) | |
(Telephone) |
If you have any questions, you should contact a lawyer or the governmental agency that may have insured your loan.
Notwithstanding the fact that your property is in foreclosure, you may offer your property for sale, provided the sale is concluded prior to the conclusion of the foreclosure.
Remember, YOU MAY LOSE LEGAL RIGHTS IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PROMPT ACTION. [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed]
Unless otherwise specified, the notice, if printed, shall appear in at least 12-point boldface type.
If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is a contract or agreement described in paragraph (1) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1632, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish if the trustor requested a Spanish language translation of the contract or agreement pursuant to Section 1632. If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is contained in a home improvement contract, as defined in Sections 7151.2 and 7159 of the Business and Professions Code, which is subject to Title 2 (commencing with Section 1801), the seller shall specify on the contract whether or not the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish and if the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish. No assignee of the contract or person authorized to record the notice of default shall incur any obligation or liability for failing to mail a notice in Spanish unless Spanish is specified in the contract or the assignee or person has actual knowledge that the secured obligation was principally negotiated in Spanish. Unless specified in writing to the contrary, a copy of the notice required by subdivision (c) of Section 2924b shall be in English.
(2)Any failure to comply with the provisions of this subdivision shall not affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value and without notice.
(c)Costs and expenses that may be charged pursuant to Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, shall be limited to the costs incurred for recording, mailing, including certified and express mail charges, publishing, and posting notices required by Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, postponement pursuant to Section 2924g not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) per postponement and a fee for a trustees sale guarantee or, in the event of judicial foreclosure, a litigation guarantee. For purposes of this subdivision, a trustee or beneficiary may purchase a trustees sale guarantee at a rate meeting the standards contained in Sections 12401.1 and 12401.3 of the Insurance Code.
(d)Trustees or attorneys fees that may be charged pursuant to subdivision (a), or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor as provided in Section 2924b, if the sale is by power of sale contained in the deed of trust or mortgage, or, otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, are hereby authorized to be in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or three hundred dollars ($300) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-eighth of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where the charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded.
(e)Reinstatement of a monetary default under the terms of an obligation secured by a deed of trust, or mortgage may be made at any time within the period commencing with the date of recordation of the notice of default until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale.
In the event the sale does not take place on the date set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale or a subsequent recorded notice of sale is required to be given, the right of reinstatement shall be revived as of the date of recordation of the subsequent notice of sale, and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the subsequently recorded notice of sale.
In the event the date of sale is postponed on the date of sale set forth in either an initial or any subsequent notice of sale, or is postponed on the date declared for sale at an immediately preceding postponement of sale, and, the postponement is for a period that exceeds five business days from the date set forth in the notice of sale, or declared at the time of postponement, then the right of reinstatement is revived as of the date of postponement and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale declared at the time of the postponement.
Nothing contained herein shall give rise to a right of reinstatement during the period of five business days prior to the date of sale, whether the date of sale is noticed in a notice of sale or declared at a postponement of sale.
Pursuant to the terms of this subdivision, no beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or their agents or successors shall be liable in any manner to a trustor, mortgagor, their agents or successors or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or mortgage or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon for the failure to allow a reinstatement of the obligation secured by a deed of trust or mortgage during the period of five business days prior to the sale of the security property, and no such right of reinstatement during this period is created by this section. Any right of reinstatement created by this section is terminated five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial date of sale, and is revived only as prescribed herein and only as of the date set forth herein.
As used in this subdivision, the term business day has the same meaning as specified in Section 9.
SEC. 4.Section 2924d of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924d.(a)Commencing with the date that the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, as provided in Section 2924b, and until the property is sold pursuant to the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust, a beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a trustor, mortgagor, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust, or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees that are hereby authorized to be in a base amount that does not exceed four hundred seventy-five dollars ($475) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or four hundred ten dollars ($410) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(b)Upon the sale of property pursuant to a power of sale, a trustee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a beneficiary, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or may deduct from the proceeds of the sale, those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees that are hereby authorized to be in an amount which does not exceed four hundred twenty-five dollars ($425) or 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured, whichever is greater. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amount authorized herein. Any charges for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (a) of this section and subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(c)(1)No person shall pay or offer to pay or collect any rebate or kickback for the referral of business involving the performance of any act required by this article.
(2)Any person who violates this subdivision shall be liable to the trustor for three times the amount of any rebate or kickback, plus reasonable attorneys fees and costs, in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
(3)No violation of this subdivision shall affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value without notice.
(d)It shall not be unlawful for a trustee to pay or offer to pay a fee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust. Any payment of a fee by a trustee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid if the fee, when combined with other fees of the trustee, does not exceed in the aggregate the trustees fee authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c or subdivision (a) or (b) of this section.
(e)When a court issues a decree of foreclosure, it shall have discretion to award attorneys fees, costs, and expenses as are reasonable, if provided for in the note, deed of trust, or mortgage, pursuant to Section 580c of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(a)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing prior to the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(b)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing after the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of sale or conduct a trustees sale under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(c)When a borrower accepts an offered first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall provide the borrower with a copy of the fully executed loan modification agreement or agreement evidencing the foreclosure prevention alternative following receipt of the executed copy from the borrower.
(d)A mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustees sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. In the case of a short sale, the cancellation of the pending trustees sale shall occur when the short sale has been approved by all parties and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent.
(e)The mortgage servicer shall not charge any application, processing, or other fee for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative.
(f)The mortgage servicer shall not collect any late fees for periods during which a complete first lien loan modification application is under consideration or a denial is being appealed, the borrower is making timely modification payments, or a foreclosure prevention alternative is being evaluated or exercised.
(g)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of that borrowers loan is transferred or sold to another mortgage servicer, the subsequent mortgage servicer shall continue to honor any previously approved first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, in accordance with the provisions of the act that added this section.
(h)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(i)This section shall not apply to entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 2.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 87 of the Statutes of 2012, is repealed.SEC. 3.Section 2924c of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924c.(a)(1)Whenever all or a portion of the principal sum of any obligation secured by deed of trust or mortgage on real property or an estate for years therein hereafter executed has, prior to the maturity date fixed in that obligation, become due or been declared due by reason of default in payment of interest or of any installment of principal, or by reason of failure of trustor or mortgagor to pay, in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, taxes, assessments, premiums for insurance, or advances made by beneficiary or mortgagee in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, the trustor or mortgagor or his or her successor in interest in the mortgaged or trust property or any part thereof, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon, at any time within the period specified in subdivision (e), if the power of sale therein is to be exercised, or, otherwise at any time prior to entry of the decree of foreclosure, may pay to the beneficiary or the mortgagee or their successors in interest, respectively, the entire amount due, at the time payment is tendered, with respect to (A) all amounts of principal, interest, taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or advances actually known by the beneficiary to be, and that are, in default and shown in the notice of default, under the terms of the deed of trust or mortgage and the obligation secured thereby, (B) all amounts in default on recurring obligations not shown in the notice of default, and (C) all reasonable costs and expenses, subject to subdivision (c), that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation, deed of trust, or mortgage, and trustees or attorneys fees, subject to subdivision (d), other than the portion of principal as would not then be due had no default occurred, and thereby cure the default theretofore existing, and thereupon, all proceedings theretofore had or instituted shall be dismissed or discontinued and the obligation and deed of trust or mortgage shall be reinstated and shall be and remain in force and effect, the same as if the acceleration had not occurred. This section does not apply to bonds or other evidences of indebtedness authorized or permitted to be issued by the Department of Business Oversight or made by a public utility subject to the Public Utilities Code. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term recurring obligation means all amounts of principal and interest on the loan, or rents, subject to the deed of trust or mortgage in default due after the notice of default is recorded; all amounts of principal and interest or rents advanced on senior liens or leaseholds that are advanced after the recordation of the notice of default; and payments of taxes, assessments, and hazard insurance advanced after recordation of the notice of default. If the beneficiary or mortgagee has made no advances on defaults that would constitute recurring obligations, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require the trustor or mortgagor to provide reliable written evidence that the amounts have been paid prior to reinstatement.
(2)If the trustor, mortgagor, or other person authorized to cure the default pursuant to this subdivision does cure the default, the beneficiary or mortgagee or the agent for the beneficiary or mortgagee shall, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice of rescission that rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale and advises the trustee of the date of reinstatement. The trustee shall cause the notice of rescission to be recorded within 30 days of receipt of the notice of rescission and of all allowable fees and costs.
No charge, except for the recording fee, shall be made against the trustor or mortgagor for the execution and recordation of the notice which rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale.
(b)(1)The notice, of any default described in this section, recorded pursuant to Section 2924, and mailed to any person pursuant to Section 2924b, shall begin with the following statement, printed or typed thereon:
IMPORTANT NOTICE [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed]
IF YOUR PROPERTY IS IN FORECLOSURE BECAUSE YOU ARE BEHIND IN YOUR PAYMENTS, IT MAY BE SOLD WITHOUT ANY COURT ACTION, [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed] and you may have the legal right to bring your account in good standing by paying all of your past due payments plus permitted costs and expenses within the time permitted by law for reinstatement of your account, which is normally five business days prior to the date set for the sale of your property. No sale date may be set until approximately 90 days from the date this notice of default may be recorded (which date of recordation appears on this notice).
This amount is | as of |
(Date) |
|---|
and will increase until your account becomes current.
While your property is in foreclosure, you still must pay other obligations (such as insurance and taxes) required by your note and deed of trust or mortgage. If you fail to make future payments on the loan, pay taxes on the property, provide insurance on the property, or pay other obligations as required in the note and deed of trust or mortgage, the beneficiary or mortgagee may insist that you do so in order to reinstate your account in good standing. In addition, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require as a condition to reinstatement that you provide reliable written evidence that you paid all senior liens, property taxes, and hazard insurance premiums.
Upon your written request, the beneficiary or mortgagee will give you a written itemization of the entire amount you must pay. You may not have to pay the entire unpaid portion of your account, even though full payment was demanded, but you must pay all amounts in default at the time payment is made. However, you and your beneficiary or mortgagee may mutually agree in writing prior to the time the notice of sale is posted (which may not be earlier than three months after this notice of default is recorded) to, among other things, (1) provide additional time in which to cure the default by transfer of the property or otherwise; or (2) establish a schedule of payments in order to cure your default; or both (1) and (2).
Following the expiration of the time period referred to in the first paragraph of this notice, unless the obligation being foreclosed upon or a separate written agreement between you and your creditor permits a longer period, you have only the legal right to stop the sale of your property by paying the entire amount demanded by your creditor.
To find out the amount you must pay, or to arrange for payment to stop the foreclosure, or if your property is in foreclosure for any other reason, contact:
(Name of beneficiary or mortgagee) | |
|---|---|
(Mailing address) | |
(Telephone) |
If you have any questions, you should contact a lawyer or the governmental agency that may have insured your loan.
Notwithstanding the fact that your property is in foreclosure, you may offer your property for sale, provided the sale is concluded prior to the conclusion of the foreclosure.
Remember, YOU MAY LOSE LEGAL RIGHTS IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PROMPT ACTION. [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed]
Unless otherwise specified, the notice, if printed, shall appear in at least 12-point boldface type.
If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is a contract or agreement described in paragraph (1) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1632, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish if the trustor requested a Spanish language translation of the contract or agreement pursuant to Section 1632. If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is contained in a home improvement contract, as defined in Sections 7151.2 and 7159 of the Business and Professions Code, which is subject to Title 2 (commencing with Section 1801), the seller shall specify on the contract whether or not the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish and if the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish. No assignee of the contract or person authorized to record the notice of default shall incur any obligation or liability for failing to mail a notice in Spanish unless Spanish is specified in the contract or the assignee or person has actual knowledge that the secured obligation was principally negotiated in Spanish. Unless specified in writing to the contrary, a copy of the notice required by subdivision (c) of Section 2924b shall be in English.
(2)Any failure to comply with the provisions of this subdivision shall not affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value and without notice.
(c)Costs and expenses that may be charged pursuant to Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, shall be limited to the costs incurred for recording, mailing, including certified and express mail charges, publishing, and posting notices required by Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, postponement pursuant to Section 2924g not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) per postponement and a fee for a trustees sale guarantee or, in the event of judicial foreclosure, a litigation guarantee. For purposes of this subdivision, a trustee or beneficiary may purchase a trustees sale guarantee at a rate meeting the standards contained in Sections 12401.1 and 12401.3 of the Insurance Code.
(d)Trustees or attorneys fees that may be charged pursuant to subdivision (a), or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor as provided in Section 2924b, if the sale is by power of sale contained in the deed of trust or mortgage, or, otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, are hereby authorized to be in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or three hundred dollars ($300) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-eighth of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where the charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded.
(e)Reinstatement of a monetary default under the terms of an obligation secured by a deed of trust, or mortgage may be made at any time within the period commencing with the date of recordation of the notice of default until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale.
In the event the sale does not take place on the date set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale or a subsequent recorded notice of sale is required to be given, the right of reinstatement shall be revived as of the date of recordation of the subsequent notice of sale, and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the subsequently recorded notice of sale.
In the event the date of sale is postponed on the date of sale set forth in either an initial or any subsequent notice of sale, or is postponed on the date declared for sale at an immediately preceding postponement of sale, and, the postponement is for a period that exceeds five business days from the date set forth in the notice of sale, or declared at the time of postponement, then the right of reinstatement is revived as of the date of postponement and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale declared at the time of the postponement.
Nothing contained herein shall give rise to a right of reinstatement during the period of five business days prior to the date of sale, whether the date of sale is noticed in a notice of sale or declared at a postponement of sale.
Pursuant to the terms of this subdivision, no beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or their agents or successors shall be liable in any manner to a trustor, mortgagor, their agents or successors or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or mortgage or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon for the failure to allow a reinstatement of the obligation secured by a deed of trust or mortgage during the period of five business days prior to the sale of the security property, and no such right of reinstatement during this period is created by this section. Any right of reinstatement created by this section is terminated five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial date of sale, and is revived only as prescribed herein and only as of the date set forth herein.
As used in this subdivision, the term business day has the same meaning as specified in Section 9.
SEC. 4.Section 2924d of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924d.(a)Commencing with the date that the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, as provided in Section 2924b, and until the property is sold pursuant to the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust, a beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a trustor, mortgagor, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust, or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees that are hereby authorized to be in a base amount that does not exceed four hundred seventy-five dollars ($475) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or four hundred ten dollars ($410) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(b)Upon the sale of property pursuant to a power of sale, a trustee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a beneficiary, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or may deduct from the proceeds of the sale, those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees that are hereby authorized to be in an amount which does not exceed four hundred twenty-five dollars ($425) or 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured, whichever is greater. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amount authorized herein. Any charges for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (a) of this section and subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(c)(1)No person shall pay or offer to pay or collect any rebate or kickback for the referral of business involving the performance of any act required by this article.
(2)Any person who violates this subdivision shall be liable to the trustor for three times the amount of any rebate or kickback, plus reasonable attorneys fees and costs, in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
(3)No violation of this subdivision shall affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value without notice.
(d)It shall not be unlawful for a trustee to pay or offer to pay a fee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust. Any payment of a fee by a trustee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid if the fee, when combined with other fees of the trustee, does not exceed in the aggregate the trustees fee authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c or subdivision (a) or (b) of this section.
(e)When a court issues a decree of foreclosure, it shall have discretion to award attorneys fees, costs, and expenses as are reasonable, if provided for in the note, deed of trust, or mortgage, pursuant to Section 580c of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(a)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing prior to the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(b)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing after the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of sale or conduct a trustees sale under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(c)When a borrower accepts an offered first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall provide the borrower with a copy of the fully executed loan modification agreement or agreement evidencing the foreclosure prevention alternative following receipt of the executed copy from the borrower.
(d)A mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustees sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. In the case of a short sale, the cancellation of the pending trustees sale shall occur when the short sale has been approved by all parties and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent.
(e)The mortgage servicer shall not charge any application, processing, or other fee for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative.
(f)The mortgage servicer shall not collect any late fees for periods during which a complete first lien loan modification application is under consideration or a denial is being appealed, the borrower is making timely modification payments, or a foreclosure prevention alternative is being evaluated or exercised.
(g)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of that borrowers loan is transferred or sold to another mortgage servicer, the subsequent mortgage servicer shall continue to honor any previously approved first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, in accordance with the provisions of the act that added this section.
(h)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(i)This section shall not apply to entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 2.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 87 of the Statutes of 2012, is repealed.SEC. 3.Section 2924c of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924c.(a)(1)Whenever all or a portion of the principal sum of any obligation secured by deed of trust or mortgage on real property or an estate for years therein hereafter executed has, prior to the maturity date fixed in that obligation, become due or been declared due by reason of default in payment of interest or of any installment of principal, or by reason of failure of trustor or mortgagor to pay, in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, taxes, assessments, premiums for insurance, or advances made by beneficiary or mortgagee in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, the trustor or mortgagor or his or her successor in interest in the mortgaged or trust property or any part thereof, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon, at any time within the period specified in subdivision (e), if the power of sale therein is to be exercised, or, otherwise at any time prior to entry of the decree of foreclosure, may pay to the beneficiary or the mortgagee or their successors in interest, respectively, the entire amount due, at the time payment is tendered, with respect to (A) all amounts of principal, interest, taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or advances actually known by the beneficiary to be, and that are, in default and shown in the notice of default, under the terms of the deed of trust or mortgage and the obligation secured thereby, (B) all amounts in default on recurring obligations not shown in the notice of default, and (C) all reasonable costs and expenses, subject to subdivision (c), that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation, deed of trust, or mortgage, and trustees or attorneys fees, subject to subdivision (d), other than the portion of principal as would not then be due had no default occurred, and thereby cure the default theretofore existing, and thereupon, all proceedings theretofore had or instituted shall be dismissed or discontinued and the obligation and deed of trust or mortgage shall be reinstated and shall be and remain in force and effect, the same as if the acceleration had not occurred. This section does not apply to bonds or other evidences of indebtedness authorized or permitted to be issued by the Department of Business Oversight or made by a public utility subject to the Public Utilities Code. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term recurring obligation means all amounts of principal and interest on the loan, or rents, subject to the deed of trust or mortgage in default due after the notice of default is recorded; all amounts of principal and interest or rents advanced on senior liens or leaseholds that are advanced after the recordation of the notice of default; and payments of taxes, assessments, and hazard insurance advanced after recordation of the notice of default. If the beneficiary or mortgagee has made no advances on defaults that would constitute recurring obligations, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require the trustor or mortgagor to provide reliable written evidence that the amounts have been paid prior to reinstatement.
(2)If the trustor, mortgagor, or other person authorized to cure the default pursuant to this subdivision does cure the default, the beneficiary or mortgagee or the agent for the beneficiary or mortgagee shall, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice of rescission that rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale and advises the trustee of the date of reinstatement. The trustee shall cause the notice of rescission to be recorded within 30 days of receipt of the notice of rescission and of all allowable fees and costs.
No charge, except for the recording fee, shall be made against the trustor or mortgagor for the execution and recordation of the notice which rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale.
(b)(1)The notice, of any default described in this section, recorded pursuant to Section 2924, and mailed to any person pursuant to Section 2924b, shall begin with the following statement, printed or typed thereon:
IMPORTANT NOTICE [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed]
IF YOUR PROPERTY IS IN FORECLOSURE BECAUSE YOU ARE BEHIND IN YOUR PAYMENTS, IT MAY BE SOLD WITHOUT ANY COURT ACTION, [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed] and you may have the legal right to bring your account in good standing by paying all of your past due payments plus permitted costs and expenses within the time permitted by law for reinstatement of your account, which is normally five business days prior to the date set for the sale of your property. No sale date may be set until approximately 90 days from the date this notice of default may be recorded (which date of recordation appears on this notice).
This amount is | as of |
(Date) |
|---|
and will increase until your account becomes current.
While your property is in foreclosure, you still must pay other obligations (such as insurance and taxes) required by your note and deed of trust or mortgage. If you fail to make future payments on the loan, pay taxes on the property, provide insurance on the property, or pay other obligations as required in the note and deed of trust or mortgage, the beneficiary or mortgagee may insist that you do so in order to reinstate your account in good standing. In addition, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require as a condition to reinstatement that you provide reliable written evidence that you paid all senior liens, property taxes, and hazard insurance premiums.
Upon your written request, the beneficiary or mortgagee will give you a written itemization of the entire amount you must pay. You may not have to pay the entire unpaid portion of your account, even though full payment was demanded, but you must pay all amounts in default at the time payment is made. However, you and your beneficiary or mortgagee may mutually agree in writing prior to the time the notice of sale is posted (which may not be earlier than three months after this notice of default is recorded) to, among other things, (1) provide additional time in which to cure the default by transfer of the property or otherwise; or (2) establish a schedule of payments in order to cure your default; or both (1) and (2).
Following the expiration of the time period referred to in the first paragraph of this notice, unless the obligation being foreclosed upon or a separate written agreement between you and your creditor permits a longer period, you have only the legal right to stop the sale of your property by paying the entire amount demanded by your creditor.
To find out the amount you must pay, or to arrange for payment to stop the foreclosure, or if your property is in foreclosure for any other reason, contact:
(Name of
beneficiary or mortgagee) | |
|---|---|
(Mailing address) | |
(Telephone) |
If you have any questions, you should contact a lawyer or the governmental agency that may have insured your loan.
Notwithstanding the fact that your property is in foreclosure, you may offer your property for sale, provided the sale is concluded prior to the conclusion of the foreclosure.
Remember, YOU MAY LOSE LEGAL RIGHTS IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PROMPT ACTION. [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed]
Unless otherwise specified, the notice, if printed, shall appear in at least 12-point boldface type.
If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is a contract or agreement described in paragraph (1) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1632, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish if the trustor requested a Spanish language translation of the contract or agreement pursuant to Section 1632. If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is contained in a home improvement contract, as defined in Sections 7151.2 and 7159 of the Business and Professions Code, which is subject to Title 2 (commencing with Section 1801), the seller shall specify on the contract whether or not the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish and if the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish. No assignee of the contract or person authorized to record the notice of default shall incur any obligation or liability for failing to mail a notice in Spanish unless Spanish is specified in the contract or the assignee or person has actual knowledge that the secured obligation was principally negotiated in Spanish. Unless specified in writing to the contrary, a copy of the notice required by subdivision (c) of Section 2924b shall be in English.
(2)Any failure to comply with the provisions of this subdivision shall not affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value and without notice.
(c)Costs and expenses that may be charged pursuant to Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, shall be limited to the costs incurred for recording, mailing, including certified and express mail charges, publishing, and posting notices required by Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, postponement pursuant to Section 2924g not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) per postponement and a fee for a trustees sale guarantee or, in the event of judicial foreclosure, a litigation guarantee. For purposes of this subdivision, a trustee or beneficiary may purchase a trustees sale guarantee at a rate meeting the standards contained in Sections 12401.1 and 12401.3 of the Insurance Code.
(d)Trustees or attorneys fees that may be charged pursuant to subdivision (a), or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor as provided in Section 2924b, if the sale is by power of sale contained in the deed of trust or mortgage, or, otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, are hereby authorized to be in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or three hundred dollars ($300) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-eighth of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where the charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded.
(e)Reinstatement of a monetary default under the terms of an obligation secured by a deed of trust, or mortgage may be made at any time within the period commencing with the date of recordation of the notice of default until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale.
In the event the sale does not take place on the date set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale or a subsequent recorded notice of sale is required to be given, the right of reinstatement shall be revived as of the date of recordation of the subsequent notice of sale, and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the subsequently recorded notice of sale.
In the event the date of sale is postponed on the date of sale set forth in either an initial or any subsequent notice of sale, or is postponed on the date declared for sale at an immediately preceding postponement of sale, and, the postponement is for a period that exceeds five business days from the date set forth in the notice of sale, or declared at the time of postponement, then the right of reinstatement is revived as of the date of postponement and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale declared at the time of the postponement.
Nothing contained herein shall give rise to a right of reinstatement during the period of five business days prior to the date of sale, whether the date of sale is noticed in a notice of sale or declared at a postponement of sale.
Pursuant to the terms of this subdivision, no beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or their agents or successors shall be liable in any manner to a trustor, mortgagor, their agents or successors or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or mortgage or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon for the failure to allow a reinstatement of the obligation secured by a deed of trust or mortgage during the period of five business days prior to the sale of the security property, and no such right of reinstatement during this period is created by this section. Any right of reinstatement created by this section is terminated five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial date of sale, and is revived only as prescribed herein and only as of the date set forth herein.
As used in this subdivision, the term business day has the same meaning as specified in Section 9.
SEC. 4.Section 2924d of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924d.(a)Commencing with the date that the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, as provided in Section 2924b, and until the property is sold pursuant to the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust, a beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a trustor, mortgagor, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust, or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees that are hereby authorized to be in a base amount that does not exceed four hundred seventy-five dollars ($475) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or four hundred ten dollars ($410) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(b)Upon the sale of property pursuant to a power of sale, a trustee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a beneficiary, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or may deduct from the proceeds of the sale, those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees that are hereby authorized to be in an amount which does not exceed four hundred twenty-five dollars ($425) or 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured, whichever is greater. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amount authorized herein. Any charges for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (a) of this section and subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(c)(1)No person shall pay or offer to pay or collect any rebate or kickback for the referral of business involving the performance of any act required by this article.
(2)Any person who violates this subdivision shall be liable to the trustor for three times the amount of any rebate or kickback, plus reasonable attorneys fees and costs, in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
(3)No violation of this subdivision shall affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value without notice.
(d)It shall not be unlawful for a trustee to pay or offer to pay a fee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust. Any payment of a fee by a trustee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid if the fee, when combined with other fees of the trustee, does not exceed in the aggregate the trustees fee authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c or subdivision (a) or (b) of this section.
(e)When a court issues a decree of foreclosure, it shall have discretion to award attorneys fees, costs, and expenses as are reasonable, if provided for in the note, deed of trust, or mortgage, pursuant to Section 580c of the Code of Civil Procedure.
SEC. 5.Section 2934a of the Civil Code is amended to read:2934a.(a)(1)The trustee under a trust deed upon real property or an estate for years therein given to secure an obligation to pay money and conferring no other duties upon the trustee than those which are incidental to the exercise of the power of sale therein conferred, may be substituted by the recording in the county in which the property is located of a substitution executed and acknowledged by: (A) all of the beneficiaries under the trust deed, or their successors in interest, and the substitution shall be effective notwithstanding any contrary provision in any trust deed executed on or after January 1, 1968; or (B) the holders of more than 50 percent of the record beneficial interest of a series of notes secured by the same real property or of undivided interests in a note secured by real property equivalent to a series transaction, exclusive of any notes or interests of a licensed real estate broker that is the issuer or servicer of the notes or interests or of any affiliate of that licensed real estate broker.
(2)A substitution executed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) is not effective unless all the parties signing the substitution sign, under penalty of perjury, a separate written document stating the following:
(A)The substitution has been signed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
(B)None of the undersigned is a licensed real estate broker or an affiliate of the broker that is the issuer or servicer of the obligation secured by the deed of trust.
(C)The undersigned together hold more than 50 percent of the record beneficial interest of a series of notes secured by the same real property or of undivided interests in a note secured by real property equivalent to a series transaction.
(D)Notice of the substitution was sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested to each holder of an interest in the obligation secured by the deed of trust who has not joined in the execution of the substitution or the separate document.
The separate document shall be attached to the substitution and be recorded in the office of the county recorder of each county in which the real property described in the deed of trust is located. Once the document required by this paragraph is recorded, it shall constitute conclusive evidence of compliance with the requirements of this paragraph in favor of substituted trustees acting pursuant to this section, subsequent assignees of the obligation secured by the deed of trust and subsequent bona fide purchasers or encumbrancers for value of the real property described therein.
(3)For purposes of this section, affiliate of the licensed real estate broker includes any person as defined in Section 25013 of the Corporations Code that is controlled by, or is under common control with, or who controls, a licensed real estate broker. Control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies.
(4)The substitution shall contain the date of recordation of the trust deed, the name of the trustor, the book and page or instrument number where the trust deed is recorded, and the name of the new trustee. From the time the substitution is filed for record, the new trustee shall succeed to all the powers, duties, authority, and title granted and delegated to the trustee named in the deed of trust. A substitution may be accomplished, with respect to multiple deeds of trust which are recorded in the same county in which the substitution is being recorded and which all have the same trustee and beneficiary or beneficiaries, by recording a single document, complying with the requirements of this section, substituting trustees for all those deeds of trust.
(b)If the substitution is executed, but not recorded, prior to or concurrently with the recording of the notice of default, the beneficiary or beneficiaries or their authorized agents shall cause notice of the substitution to be mailed prior to or concurrently with the recording thereof, in the manner provided in Section 2924b, to all persons to whom a copy of the notice of default would be required to be mailed by the provisions of Section 2924b. An affidavit shall be attached to the substitution that notice has been given to those persons and in the manner required by this subdivision.
(c)If the substitution is effected after a notice of default has been recorded but prior to the recording of the notice of sale, the beneficiary or beneficiaries or their authorized agents shall cause a copy of the substitution to be mailed, prior to, or concurrently with, the recording thereof, in the manner provided in Section 2924b, to the trustee then of record and to all persons to whom a copy of the notice of default would be required to be mailed by the provisions of Section 2924b. An affidavit shall be attached to the substitution that notice has been given to those persons and in the manner required by this subdivision.
(d)(1)A trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee shall be deemed to be authorized to act as the trustee under the mortgage or deed of trust for all purposes from the date the substitution is executed by the mortgagee, beneficiaries, or by their authorized agents. Nothing herein requires that a trustee under a recorded substitution accept the substitution. Once recorded, the substitution shall constitute conclusive evidence of the authority of the substituted trustee or his or her agents to act pursuant to this section.
(2)A trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee shall not be a legal owner or owner, as applicable, for purposes of Section 2929.3 or 2929.4.
(e)Notwithstanding any provision of this section or any provision in any deed of trust, unless a new notice of sale containing the name, street address, and telephone number of the substituted trustee is given pursuant to Section 2924f after execution of the substitution, any sale conducted by the substituted trustee shall be void.
(f)This section shall become operative on January 1, 1998.
(a)With respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall provide to the mortgagor or trustor a copy of the notice of default indicating the recording date with an attached separate summary document of the notice of default in English and the languages described in Section 1632, as set forth in subdivision (c), and a copy of the notice of sale indicating the recording date with an attached separate summary document of the information required to be contained in the notice of sale in English and the languages described in Section 1632, as set forth in subdivision (d). These summaries are not required to be recorded or published. This subdivision shall become operative on April 1, 2013, or 90 days following the issuance of the translations by the Department of Business Oversight pursuant to subdivision (b), whichever is later.
(b)(1)The Department of Business Oversight shall provide a standard translation of the statement in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), and of the summary of the notice of default, as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) in the languages described in Section 1632.
(2)The Department of Business Oversight shall provide a standard translation of the statement in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), and of the summary of the notice of sale, as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The department shall make the translations described in paragraphs (1) and (2) available without charge on its Internet Web site. Any mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent who provides the departments translations in the manner prescribed by this section shall be in compliance with this section.
(c)(1)The following statement shall appear in the languages described in Section 1632 at the beginning of the notice of default:
NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED.
(2)The following summary of key information shall be attached to the copy of the notice of default provided to the mortgagor or trustor:
SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION
The attached notice of default was sent to [name of the trustor], in relation to [description of the property that secures the mortgage or deed of trust in default]. This property may be sold to satisfy your obligation and any other obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage that is in default. [Trustor] has, as described in the notice of default, breached the mortgage or deed of trust on the property described above.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: IF YOUR PROPERTY IS IN FORECLOSURE BECAUSE YOU ARE BEHIND IN YOUR PAYMENTS, IT MAY BE SOLD WITHOUT ANY COURT ACTION, and you may have the legal right to bring your account in good standing by paying all of your past due payments plus permitted costs and expenses within the time permitted by law for reinstatement of your account, which is normally five business days prior to the date set for the sale of your property. No sale date may be set until approximately 90 days from the date the attached notice of default may be recorded (which date of recordation appears on the notice).
This amount is ____________ as of ___(date)____________and will increase until your account becomes current.
While your property is in foreclosure, you still must pay other obligations (such as insurance and taxes) required by your note and deed of trust or mortgage. If you fail to make future payments on the loan, pay taxes on the property, provide insurance on the property, or pay other obligations as required in the note and deed of trust or mortgage, the beneficiary or mortgagee may insist that you do so in order to reinstate your account in good standing. In addition, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require as a condition to reinstatement that you provide reliable written evidence that you paid all senior liens, property taxes, and hazard insurance premiums.
Upon your written request, the beneficiary or mortgagee will give you a written itemization of the entire amount you must pay. You may not have to pay the entire unpaid portion of your account, even though full payment was demanded, but you must pay all amounts in default at the time payment is made. However, you and your beneficiary or mortgagee may mutually agree in writing prior to the time the notice of sale is posted (which may not be earlier than three months after this notice of default is recorded) to, among other things, (1) provide additional time in which to cure the default by transfer of the property or otherwise; or (2) establish a schedule of payments in order to cure your default; or both (1) and (2).
Following the expiration of the time period referred to in the first paragraph of this notice, unless the obligation being foreclosed upon or a separate written agreement between you and your creditor permits a longer period, you have only the legal right to stop the sale of your property by paying the entire amount demanded by your creditor.
To find out the amount you must pay, or to arrange for payment to stop the foreclosure, or if your property is in foreclosure for any other reason, contact:
____________________________________
(Name of beneficiary or mortgagee)
____________________________________
(Mailing address)
____________________________________
(Telephone)
If you have any questions, you should contact a lawyer or the governmental agency that may have insured your loan.
Notwithstanding the fact that your property is in foreclosure, you may offer your property for sale, provided the sale is concluded prior to the conclusion of the foreclosure.
Remember, YOU MAY LOSE LEGAL RIGHTS IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PROMPT ACTION.
If you would like additional copies of this summary, you may obtain them by calling [insert telephone number].
(d)(1)The following statement shall appear in the languages described in Section 1632 at the beginning of the notice of sale:
NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED.
(2)The following summary of key information shall be attached to the copy of the notice of sale provided to the mortgagor or trustor:
SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION
The attached notice of sale was sent to [trustor], in relation to [description of the property that secures the mortgage or deed of trust in default].
YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A (Deed of trust or mortgage) DATED ____. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE.
IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER.
The total amount due in the notice of sale is ____.
Your property is scheduled to be sold on [insert date and time of sale] at [insert location of sale].
However, the sale date shown on the attached notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call [telephone number for information regarding the trustees sale] or visit this Internet Web site [Internet Web site address for information regarding the sale of this property], using the file number assigned to this case [case file number]. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.
If you would like additional copies of this summary, you may obtain them by calling [insert telephone number].
(e)Failure to provide these summaries to the mortgagor or trustor shall have the same effect as if the notice of default or notice of sale were incomplete or not provided.
(f)This section sets forth a requirement for translation in languages other than English, and a document complying with the provisions of this section may be recorded pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 27293 of the Government Code. A document that complies with this section shall not be rejected for recordation on the ground that some part of the document is in a language other than English.
SEC. 2.Section 2924 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.
(a)Every transfer of an interest in property, other than in trust, made only as a security for the performance of another act, is to be deemed a mortgage, except when in the case of personal property it is accompanied by actual change of possession, in which case it is to be deemed a pledge. Where, by a mortgage created after July 27, 1917, of any estate in real property, other than an estate at will or for years, less than two, or in any transfer in trust made after July 27, 1917, of a like estate to secure the performance of an obligation, a power of sale is conferred upon the mortgagee, trustee, or any other person, to be exercised after a breach of the obligation for which that mortgage or transfer is a security, the power shall not be exercised except where the mortgage or transfer is made pursuant to an order, judgment, or decree of a court of record, or to secure the payment of bonds or other evidences of indebtedness authorized or permitted to be issued by the Department of Business Oversight, or is made by a public utility subject to the provisions of the Public Utilities Act, until all of the following apply:
(1)The trustee, mortgagee, or beneficiary, or any of their authorized agents shall first file for record, in the office of the recorder of each county wherein the mortgaged or trust property or some part or parcel thereof is situated, a notice of default. That notice of default shall include all of the following:
(A)A statement identifying the mortgage or deed of trust by stating the name or names of the trustor or trustors and giving the book and page, or instrument number, if applicable, where the mortgage or deed of trust is recorded or a description of the mortgaged or trust property.
(B)A statement that a breach of the obligation for which the mortgage or transfer in trust is security has occurred.
(C)A statement setting forth the nature of each breach actually known to the beneficiary and of his or her election to sell or cause to be sold the property to satisfy that obligation and any other obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage that is in default.
(D)If the default is curable pursuant to Section 2924c, the statement specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924c.
(2)Not less than three months shall elapse from the filing of the notice of default.
(3)Except as provided in paragraph (4), after the lapse of the three months described in paragraph (2), the mortgagee, trustee, or other person authorized to take the sale shall give notice of sale, stating the time and place thereof, in the manner and for a time not less than that set forth in Section 2924f.
(4)Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the mortgagee, trustee, or other person authorized to take sale may record a notice of sale pursuant to Section 2924f up to five days before the lapse of the three-month period described in paragraph (2), provided that the date of sale is no earlier than three months and 20 days after the recording of the notice of default.
(5)Until January 1, 2018, whenever a sale is postponed for a period of at least 10 business days pursuant to Section 2924g, a mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall provide written notice to a borrower regarding the new sale date and time, within five business days following the postponement. Information provided pursuant to this paragraph shall not constitute the public declaration required by subdivision (d) of Section 2924g. Failure to comply with this paragraph shall not invalidate any sale that would otherwise be valid under Section 2924f. This paragraph shall be inoperative on January 1, 2018.
(6)No entity shall record or cause a notice of default to be recorded or otherwise initiate the foreclosure process unless it is the holder of the beneficial interest under the mortgage or deed of trust, the original trustee or the substituted trustee under the deed of trust, or the designated agent of the holder of the beneficial interest. No agent of the holder of the beneficial interest under the mortgage or deed of trust, original trustee or substituted trustee under the deed of trust may record a notice of default or otherwise commence the foreclosure process except when acting within the scope of authority designated by the holder of the beneficial interest.
(b)(1)In performing acts required by this article, both of the following shall apply:
(A)The trustee shall incur no liability for any good faith error resulting from reliance on information provided in good faith by the beneficiary regarding the nature and the amount of the default under the secured obligation, deed of trust, or mortgage.
(B)A trustee shall not be subject to Title 1.6c (commencing with Section 1788) of Part 4.
(2)A trustee under a deed of trust shall not be a legal owner or owner, as applicable, for purposes of Section 2929.3 or 2929.4.
(3)A trustee under a deed of trust shall not be responsible for any obligation or failure to maintain or register a property subject to foreclosure.
(c)A recital in the deed executed pursuant to the power of sale of compliance with all requirements of law regarding the mailing of copies of notices or the publication of a copy of the notice of default or the personal delivery of the copy of the notice of default or the posting of copies of the notice of sale or the publication of a copy thereof shall constitute prima facie evidence of compliance with these requirements and conclusive evidence thereof in favor of bona fide purchasers and encumbrancers for value and without notice.
(d)All of the following shall constitute privileged communications pursuant to Section 47:
(1)The mailing, publication, and delivery of notices as required by this section.
(2)Performance of the procedures set forth in this article.
(3)Performance of the functions and procedures set forth in this article if those functions and procedures are necessary to carry out the duties described in Sections 729.040, 729.050, and 729.080 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(e)There is a rebuttable presumption that the beneficiary actually knew of all unpaid loan payments on the obligation owed to the beneficiary and secured by the deed of trust or mortgage subject to the notice of default. However, the failure to include an actually known default shall not invalidate the notice of sale and the beneficiary shall not be precluded from asserting a claim to this omitted default or defaults in a separate notice of default.
(f)With respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a separate document containing a summary of the notice of default information in English and the languages described in Section 1632 shall be attached to the notice of default provided to the mortgagor or trustor pursuant to Section 2923.3.
SEC. 3.SECTION 1.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 86 of the Statutes of 2012, is amended to read:2924.11.(a)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing prior to the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(b)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing after the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of sale or conduct a trustees sale under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(c)When a borrower accepts an offered first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall provide the borrower with a copy of the fully executed loan modification agreement or agreement evidencing the foreclosure prevention alternative following receipt of the executed copy from the borrower.
(d)A mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustees sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. In the case of a short sale, the cancellation of the pending trustees sale shall occur when the short sale has been approved by all parties and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent.
(e)The mortgage servicer shall not charge any application, processing, or other fee for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative.
(f)The mortgage servicer shall not collect any late fees for periods during which a complete first lien loan modification application is under consideration or a denial is being appealed, the borrower is making timely modification payments, or a foreclosure prevention alternative is being evaluated or exercised.
(g)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of that borrowers loan is transferred or sold to another mortgage servicer, the subsequent mortgage servicer shall continue to honor any previously approved first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, in accordance with the provisions of the act that added this section.
(h)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(i)This section shall not apply to entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 4.SEC. 2.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 87 of the Statutes of 2012, is repealed.SEC. 5.SEC. 3.Section 2924c of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924c.(a)(1)Whenever all or a portion of the principal sum of any obligation secured by deed of trust or mortgage on real property or an estate for years therein hereafter executed has, prior to the maturity date fixed in that obligation, become due or been declared due by reason of default in payment of interest or of any installment of principal, or by reason of failure of trustor or mortgagor to pay, in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, taxes, assessments, premiums for insurance, or advances made by beneficiary or mortgagee in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, the trustor or mortgagor or his or her successor in interest in the mortgaged or trust property or any part thereof, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon, at any time within the period specified in subdivision (e), if the power of sale therein is to be exercised, or, otherwise at any time prior to entry of the decree of foreclosure, may pay to the beneficiary or the mortgagee or their successors in interest, respectively, the entire amount due, at the time payment is tendered, with respect to (A) all amounts of principal, interest, taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or advances actually known by the beneficiary to be, and that are, in default and shown in the notice of default, under the terms of the deed of trust or mortgage and the obligation secured thereby, (B) all amounts in default on recurring obligations not shown in the notice of default, and (C) all reasonable costs and expenses, subject to subdivision (c), that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation, deed of trust, or mortgage, and trustees or attorneys fees, subject to subdivision (d), other than the portion of principal as would not then be due had no default occurred, and thereby cure the default theretofore existing, and thereupon, all proceedings theretofore had or instituted shall be dismissed or discontinued and the obligation and deed of trust or mortgage shall be reinstated and shall be and remain in force and effect, the same as if the acceleration had not occurred. This section does not apply to bonds or other evidences of indebtedness authorized or permitted to be issued by the Department of Business Oversight or made by a public utility subject to the Public Utilities Code. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term recurring obligation means all amounts of principal and interest on the loan, or rents, subject to the deed of trust or mortgage in default due after the notice of default is recorded; all amounts of principal and interest or rents advanced on senior liens or leaseholds that are advanced after the recordation of the notice of default; and payments of taxes, assessments, and hazard insurance advanced after recordation of the notice of default. If the beneficiary or mortgagee has made no advances on defaults that would constitute recurring obligations, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require the trustor or mortgagor to provide reliable written evidence that the amounts have been paid prior to reinstatement.
(2)If the trustor, mortgagor, or other person authorized to cure the default pursuant to this subdivision does cure the default, the beneficiary or mortgagee or the agent for the beneficiary or mortgagee shall, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice of rescission that rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale and advises the trustee of the date of reinstatement. The trustee shall cause the notice of rescission to be recorded within 30 days of receipt of the notice of rescission and of all allowable fees and costs.
No charge, except for the recording fee, shall be made against the trustor or mortgagor for the execution and recordation of the notice which rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale.
(b)(1)The notice, of any default described in this section, recorded pursuant to Section 2924, and mailed to any person pursuant to Section 2924b, shall begin with the following statement, printed or typed thereon:
IMPORTANT NOTICE [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed]
IF YOUR PROPERTY IS IN FORECLOSURE BECAUSE YOU ARE BEHIND IN YOUR PAYMENTS, IT MAY BE SOLD WITHOUT ANY COURT ACTION, [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed] and you may have the legal right to bring your account in good standing by paying all of your past due payments plus permitted costs and expenses within the time permitted by law for reinstatement of your account, which is normally five business days prior to the date set for the sale of your property. No sale date may be set until approximately 90 days from the date this notice of default may be recorded (which date of recordation appears on this notice).
This amount is | as of |
(Date) |
|---|
and will increase until your account becomes current.
While your property is in foreclosure, you still must pay other obligations (such as insurance and taxes) required by your note and deed of trust or mortgage. If you fail to make future payments on the loan, pay taxes on the property, provide insurance on the property, or pay other obligations as required in the note and deed of trust or mortgage, the beneficiary or mortgagee may insist that you do so in order to reinstate your account in good standing. In addition, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require as a condition to reinstatement that you provide reliable written evidence that you paid all senior liens, property taxes, and hazard insurance premiums.
Upon your written request, the beneficiary or mortgagee will give you a written itemization of the entire amount you must pay. You may not have to pay the entire unpaid portion of your account, even though full payment was demanded, but you must pay all amounts in default at the time payment is made. However, you and your beneficiary or mortgagee may mutually agree in writing prior to the time the notice of sale is posted (which may not be earlier than three months after this notice of default is recorded) to, among other things, (1) provide additional time in which to cure the default by transfer of the property or otherwise; or (2) establish a schedule of payments in order to cure your default; or both (1) and (2).
Following the expiration of the time period referred to in the first paragraph of this notice, unless the obligation being foreclosed upon or a separate written agreement between you and your creditor permits a longer period, you have only the legal right to stop the sale of your property by paying the entire amount demanded by your creditor.
To find out the amount you must pay, or to arrange for payment to stop the foreclosure, or if your property is in foreclosure for any other reason, contact:
(Name of beneficiary or mortgagee) | |
|---|---|
(Mailing address) | |
(Telephone) |
If you have any questions, you should contact a lawyer or the governmental agency that may have insured your loan.
Notwithstanding the fact that your property is in foreclosure, you may offer your property for sale, provided the sale is concluded prior to the conclusion of the foreclosure.
Remember, YOU MAY LOSE LEGAL RIGHTS IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PROMPT ACTION. [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed]
Unless otherwise specified, the notice, if printed, shall appear in at least 12-point boldface type.
If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is a contract or agreement described in paragraph (1) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1632, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish if the trustor requested a Spanish language translation of the contract or agreement pursuant to Section 1632. If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is contained in a home improvement contract, as defined in Sections 7151.2 and 7159 of the Business and Professions Code, which is subject to Title 2 (commencing with Section 1801), the seller shall specify on the contract whether or not the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish and if the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish. No assignee of the contract or person authorized to record the notice of default shall incur any obligation or liability for failing to mail a notice in Spanish unless Spanish is specified in the contract or the assignee or person has actual knowledge that the secured obligation was principally negotiated in Spanish. Unless specified in writing to the contrary, a copy of the notice required by subdivision (c) of Section 2924b shall be in English.
(2)Any failure to comply with the provisions of this subdivision shall not affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value and without notice.
(c)Costs and expenses that may be charged pursuant to Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, shall be limited to the costs incurred for recording, mailing, including certified and express mail charges, publishing, and posting notices required by Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, postponement pursuant to Section 2924g not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) per postponement and a fee for a trustees sale guarantee or, in the event of judicial foreclosure, a litigation guarantee. For purposes of this subdivision, a trustee or beneficiary may purchase a trustees sale guarantee at a rate meeting the standards contained in Sections 12401.1 and 12401.3 of the Insurance Code.
(d)Trustees or attorneys fees that may be charged pursuant to subdivision (a), or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor as provided in Section 2924b, if the sale is by power of sale contained in the deed of trust or mortgage, or, otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, are hereby authorized to be in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or three hundred dollars ($300) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-eighth of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where the charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded.
(e)Reinstatement of a monetary default under the terms of an obligation secured by a deed of trust, or mortgage may be made at any time within the period commencing with the date of recordation of the notice of default until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale.
In the event the sale does not take place on the date set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale or a subsequent recorded notice of sale is required to be given, the right of reinstatement shall be revived as of the date of recordation of the subsequent notice of sale, and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the subsequently recorded notice of sale.
In the event the date of sale is postponed on the date of sale set forth in either an initial or any subsequent notice of sale, or is postponed on the date declared for sale at an immediately preceding postponement of sale, and, the postponement is for a period that exceeds five business days from the date set forth in the notice of sale, or declared at the time of postponement, then the right of reinstatement is revived as of the date of postponement and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale declared at the time of the postponement.
Nothing contained herein shall give rise to a right of reinstatement during the period of five business days prior to the date of sale, whether the date of sale is noticed in a notice of sale or declared at a postponement of sale.
Pursuant to the terms of this subdivision, no beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or their agents or successors shall be liable in any manner to a trustor, mortgagor, their agents or successors or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or mortgage or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon for the failure to allow a reinstatement of the obligation secured by a deed of trust or mortgage during the period of five business days prior to the sale of the security property, and no such right of reinstatement during this period is created by this section. Any right of reinstatement created by this section is terminated five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial date of sale, and is revived only as prescribed herein and only as of the date set forth herein.
As used in this subdivision, the term business day has the same meaning as specified in Section 9.
SEC. 6.SEC. 4.Section 2924d of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924d.(a)Commencing with the date that the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, as provided in Section 2924b, and until the property is sold pursuant to the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust, a beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a trustor, mortgagor, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust, or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees that are hereby authorized to be in a base amount that does not exceed four hundred seventy-five dollars ($475) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or four hundred ten dollars ($410) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(b)Upon the sale of property pursuant to a power of sale, a trustee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a beneficiary, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or may deduct from the proceeds of the sale, those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees that are hereby authorized to be in an amount which does not exceed four hundred twenty-five dollars ($425) or 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured, whichever is greater. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amount authorized herein. Any charges for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (a) of this section and subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(c)(1)No person shall pay or offer to pay or collect any rebate or kickback for the referral of business involving the performance of any act required by this article.
(2)Any person who violates this subdivision shall be liable to the trustor for three times the amount of any rebate or kickback, plus reasonable attorneys fees and costs, in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
(3)No violation of this subdivision shall affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value without notice.
(d)It shall not be unlawful for a trustee to pay or offer to pay a fee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust. Any payment of a fee by a trustee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid if the fee, when combined with other fees of the trustee, does not exceed in the aggregate the trustees fee authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c or subdivision (a) or (b) of this section.
(e)When a court issues a decree of foreclosure, it shall have discretion to award attorneys fees, costs, and expenses as are reasonable, if provided for in the note, deed of trust, or mortgage, pursuant to Section 580c of the Code of Civil Procedure.
SEC. 7.Section 2924f of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924f.(a)As used in this section and Sections 2924g and 2924h, property means real property or a leasehold estate therein, and calendar week means Monday through Saturday, inclusive.
(b)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), before any sale of property can be made under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage, or any resale resulting from a rescission for a failure of consideration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 2924h, notice of the sale thereof shall be given by posting a written notice of the time of sale and of the street address and the specific place at the street address where the sale will be held, and describing the property to be sold, at least 20 days before the date of sale in one public place in the city where the property is to be sold, if the property is to be sold in a city, or, if not, then in one public place in the judicial district in which the property is to be sold, and publishing a copy once a week for three consecutive calendar weeks.
(2)The first publication to be at least 20 days before the date of sale, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city in which the property or some part thereof is situated, if any part thereof is situated in a city, if not, then in a newspaper of general circulation published in the judicial district in which the property or some part thereof is situated, or in case no newspaper of general circulation is published in the city or judicial district, as the case may be, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated, or in case no newspaper of general circulation is published in the city or judicial district or county, as the case may be, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in this state that is contiguous to the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated and has, by comparison with all similarly contiguous counties, the highest population based upon total county population as determined by the most recent federal decennial census published by the Bureau of the Census.
(3)A copy of the notice of sale shall also be posted in a conspicuous place on the property to be sold at least 20 days before the date of sale, where possible and where not restricted for any reason. If the property is a single-family residence the posting shall be on a door of the residence, but, if not possible or restricted, then the notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the property; however, if access is denied because a common entrance to the property is restricted by a guard gate or similar impediment, the property may be posted at that guard gate or similar impediment to any development community.
(4)The notice of sale shall conform to the minimum requirements of Section 6043 of the Government Code and be recorded with the county recorder of the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated at least 20 days prior to the date of sale.
(5)The notice of sale shall contain the name, street address in this state, which may reflect an agent of the trustee, and either a toll-free telephone number or telephone number in this state of the trustee, and the name of the original trustor, and also shall contain the statement required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (c). In addition to any other description of the property, the notice shall describe the property by giving its street address, if any, or other common designation, if any, and a county assessors parcel number; but if the property has no street address or other common designation, the notice shall contain a legal description of the property, the name and address of the beneficiary at whose request the sale is to be conducted, and a statement that directions may be obtained pursuant to a written request submitted to the beneficiary within 10 days from the first publication of the notice. Directions shall be deemed reasonably sufficient to locate the property if information as to the location of the property is given by reference to the direction and approximate distance from the nearest crossroads, frontage road, or access road. If a legal description or a county assessors parcel number and either a street address or another common designation of the property is given, the validity of the notice and the validity of the sale shall not be affected by the fact that the street address, other common designation, name and address of the beneficiary, or the directions obtained therefrom are erroneous or that the street address, other common designation, name and address of the beneficiary, or directions obtained therefrom are omitted.
(6)The term newspaper of general circulation, as used in this section, has the same meaning as defined in Article 1 (commencing with Section 6000) of Chapter 1 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(7)The notice of sale shall contain a statement of the total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonably estimated costs, expenses, advances at the time of the initial publication of the notice of sale, and, if republished pursuant to a cancellation of a cash equivalent pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2924h, a reference of that fact; provided, that the trustee shall incur no liability for any good faith error in stating the proper amount, including any amount provided in good faith by or on behalf of the beneficiary. An inaccurate statement of this amount shall not affect the validity of any sale to a bona fide purchaser for value, nor shall the failure to post the notice of sale on a door as provided by this subdivision affect the validity of any sale to a bona fide purchaser for value.
(8)(A)On and after April 1, 2012, if the deed of trust or mortgage containing a power of sale is secured by real property containing from one to four single-family residences, the notice of sale shall contain substantially the following language, in addition to the language required pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (7), inclusive:
NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being foreclosed by this auction may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being foreclosed, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorders office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call [telephone number for information regarding the trustees sale] or visit this Internet Web site [Internet Web site address for information regarding the sale of this property], using the file number assigned to this case [case file number]. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.
(B)A mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or authorized agent shall make a good faith effort to provide up-to-date information regarding sale dates and postponements to persons who wish this information. This information shall be made available free of charge. It may be made available via an Internet Web site, a telephone recording that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or through any other means that allows 24 hours a day, seven days a week, no-cost access to updated information. A disruption of any of these methods of providing sale date and postponement information to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of the good faith standard.
(C)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), nothing in the wording of the notices required by subparagraph (A) is intended to modify or create any substantive rights or obligations for any person providing, or specified in, either of the required notices. Failure to comply with subparagraph (A) or (B) shall not invalidate any sale that would otherwise be valid under this section.
(D)Information provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) does not constitute the public declaration required by subdivision (d) of Section 2924g.
(9)If the sale of the property is to be a unified sale as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, the notice of sale shall also contain a description of the personal property or fixtures to be sold. In the case where it is contemplated that all of the personal property or fixtures are to be sold, the description in the notice of the personal property or fixtures shall be sufficient if it is the same as the description of the personal property or fixtures contained in the agreement creating the security interest in or encumbrance on the personal property or fixtures or the filed financing statement relating to the personal property or fixtures. In all other cases, the description in the notice shall be sufficient if it would be a sufficient description of the personal property or fixtures under Section 9108 of the Commercial Code. Inclusion of a reference to or a description of personal property or fixtures in a notice of sale hereunder shall not constitute an election by the secured party to conduct a unified sale pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, shall not obligate the secured party to conduct a unified sale pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, and in no way shall render defective or noncomplying either that notice or a sale pursuant to that notice by reason of the fact that the sale includes none or less than all of the personal property or fixtures referred to or described in the notice. This paragraph shall not otherwise affect the obligations or duties of a secured party under the Commercial Code.
(c)(1)This subdivision applies only to deeds of trust or mortgages that contain a power of sale and that are secured by real property containing a single-family, owner-occupied residence, where the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is contained in a contract for goods or services subject to the provisions of the Unruh Act (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1801) of Title 2 of Part 4 of Division 3).
(2)Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this subdivision, all other provisions of law relating to the exercise of a power of sale shall govern the exercise of a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1).
(3)If any default of the obligation secured by a deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1) has not been cured within 30 days after the recordation of the notice of default, the trustee or mortgagee shall mail to the trustor or mortgagor, at his or her last known address, a copy of the following statement:
YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A |
, |
(Deed of trust or mortgage) |
|---|
DATED____. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT |
(4)All sales of real property pursuant to a power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1) shall be held in the county where the residence is located and shall be made to the person making the highest offer. The trustee may receive offers during the 10-day period immediately prior to the date of sale and if any offer is accepted in writing by both the trustor or mortgagor and the beneficiary or mortgagee prior to the time set for sale, the sale shall be postponed to a date certain and prior to which the property may be conveyed by the trustor to the person making the offer according to its terms. The offer is revocable until accepted. The performance of the offer, following acceptance, according to its terms, by a conveyance of the property to the offeror, shall operate to terminate any further proceeding under the notice of sale and it shall be deemed revoked.
(5)In addition to the trustee fee pursuant to Section 2924c, the trustee or mortgagee pursuant to a deed of trust or mortgage subject to this subdivision shall be entitled to charge an additional fee of fifty dollars ($50).
(6)This subdivision applies only to property on which notices of default were filed on or after the effective date of this subdivision.
(d)With respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a separate document containing a summary of the notice of sale information in English and the languages described in Section 1632 shall be attached to the notice of sale provided to the mortgagor or trustor pursuant to Section 2923.3.
SEC. 8.SEC. 5.Section 2934a of the Civil Code is amended to read:2934a.(a)(1)The trustee under a trust deed upon real property or an estate for years therein given to secure an obligation to pay money and conferring no other duties upon the trustee than those which are incidental to the exercise of the power of sale therein conferred, may be substituted by the recording in the county in which the property is located of a substitution executed and acknowledged by: (A) all of the beneficiaries under the trust deed, or their successors in interest, and the substitution shall be effective notwithstanding any contrary provision in any trust deed executed on or after January 1, 1968; or (B) the holders of more than 50 percent of the record beneficial interest of a series of notes secured by the same real property or of undivided interests in a note secured by real property equivalent to a series transaction, exclusive of any notes or interests of a licensed real estate broker that is the issuer or servicer of the notes or interests or of any affiliate of that licensed real estate broker.
(2)A substitution executed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) is not effective unless all the parties signing the substitution sign, under penalty of perjury, a separate written document stating the following:
(A)The substitution has been signed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
(B)None of the undersigned is a licensed real estate broker or an affiliate of the broker that is the issuer or servicer of the obligation secured by the deed of trust.
(C)The undersigned together hold more than 50 percent of the record beneficial interest of a series of notes secured by the same real property or of undivided interests in a note secured by real property equivalent to a series transaction.
(D)Notice of the substitution was sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested to each holder of an interest in the obligation secured by the deed of trust who has not joined in the execution of the substitution or the separate document.
The separate document shall be attached to the substitution and be recorded in the office of the county recorder of each county in which the real property described in the deed of trust is located. Once the document required by this paragraph is recorded, it shall constitute conclusive evidence of compliance with the requirements of this paragraph in favor of substituted trustees acting pursuant to this section, subsequent assignees of the obligation secured by the deed of trust and subsequent bona fide purchasers or encumbrancers for value of the real property described therein.
(3)For purposes of this section, affiliate of the licensed real estate broker includes any person as defined in Section 25013 of the Corporations Code that is controlled by, or is under common control with, or who controls, a licensed real estate broker. Control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies.
(4)The substitution shall contain the date of recordation of the trust deed, the name of the trustor, the book and page or instrument number where the trust deed is recorded, and the name of the new trustee. From the time the substitution is filed for record, the new trustee shall succeed to all the powers, duties, authority, and title granted and delegated to the trustee named in the deed of trust. A substitution may be accomplished, with respect to multiple deeds of trust which are recorded in the same county in which the substitution is being recorded and which all have the same trustee and beneficiary or beneficiaries, by recording a single document, complying with the requirements of this section, substituting trustees for all those deeds of trust.
(b)If the substitution is executed, but not recorded, prior to or concurrently with the recording of the notice of default, the beneficiary or beneficiaries or their authorized agents shall cause notice of the substitution to be mailed prior to or concurrently with the recording thereof, in the manner provided in Section 2924b, to all persons to whom a copy of the notice of default would be required to be mailed by the provisions of Section 2924b. An affidavit shall be attached to the substitution that notice has been given to those persons and in the manner required by this subdivision.
(c)If the substitution is effected after a notice of default has been recorded but prior to the recording of the notice of sale, the beneficiary or beneficiaries or their authorized agents shall cause a copy of the substitution to be mailed, prior to, or concurrently with, the recording thereof, in the manner provided in Section 2924b, to the trustee then of record and to all persons to whom a copy of the notice of default would be required to be mailed by the provisions of Section 2924b. An affidavit shall be attached to the substitution that notice has been given to those persons and in the manner required by this subdivision.
(d)(1)A trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee shall be deemed to be authorized to act as the trustee under the mortgage or deed of trust for all purposes from the date the substitution is executed by the mortgagee, beneficiaries, or by their authorized agents. Nothing herein requires that a trustee under a recorded substitution accept the substitution. Once recorded, the substitution shall constitute conclusive evidence of the authority of the substituted trustee or his or her agents to act pursuant to this section.
(2)A trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee shall not be a legal owner or owner, as applicable, for purposes of Section 2929.3 or 2929.4.
(e)Notwithstanding any provision of this section or any provision in any deed of trust, unless a new notice of sale containing the name, street address, and telephone number of the substituted trustee is given pursuant to Section 2924f after execution of the substitution, any sale conducted by the substituted trustee shall be void.
(f)This section shall become operative on January 1, 1998.
(a)With respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall provide to the mortgagor or trustor a copy of the notice of default indicating the recording date with an attached separate summary document of the notice of default in English and the languages described in Section 1632, as set forth in subdivision (c), and a copy of the notice of sale indicating the recording date with an attached separate summary document of the information required to be contained in the notice of sale in English and the languages described in Section 1632, as set forth in subdivision (d). These summaries are not required to be recorded or published. This subdivision shall become operative on April 1, 2013, or 90 days following the issuance of the translations by the Department of Business Oversight pursuant to subdivision (b), whichever is later.
(b)(1)The Department of Business Oversight shall provide a standard translation of the statement in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), and of the summary of the notice of default, as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) in the languages described in Section 1632.
(2)The Department of Business Oversight shall provide a standard translation of the statement in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), and of the summary of the notice of sale, as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The department shall make the translations described in paragraphs (1) and (2) available without charge on its Internet Web site. Any mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent who provides the departments translations in the manner prescribed by this section shall be in compliance with this section.
(c)(1)The following statement shall appear in the languages described in Section 1632 at the beginning of the notice of default:
NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED.
(2)The following summary of key information shall be attached to the copy of the notice of default provided to the mortgagor or trustor:
SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION
The attached notice of default was sent to [name of the trustor], in relation to [description of the property that secures the mortgage or deed of trust in default]. This property may be sold to satisfy your obligation and any other obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage that is in default. [Trustor] has, as described in the notice of default, breached the mortgage or deed of trust on the property described above.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: IF YOUR PROPERTY IS IN FORECLOSURE BECAUSE YOU ARE BEHIND IN YOUR PAYMENTS, IT MAY BE SOLD WITHOUT ANY COURT ACTION, and you may have the legal right to bring your account in good standing by paying all of your past due payments plus permitted costs and expenses within the time permitted by law for reinstatement of your account, which is normally five business days prior to the date set for the sale of your property. No sale date may be set until approximately 90 days from the date the attached notice of default may be recorded (which date of recordation appears on the notice).
This amount is ____________ as of ___(date)____________and will increase until your account becomes current.
While your property is in foreclosure, you still must pay other obligations (such as insurance and taxes) required by your note and deed of trust or mortgage. If you fail to make future payments on the loan, pay taxes on the property, provide insurance on the property, or pay other obligations as required in the note and deed of trust or mortgage, the beneficiary or mortgagee may insist that you do so in order to reinstate your account in good standing. In addition, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require as a condition to reinstatement that you provide reliable written evidence that you paid all senior liens, property taxes, and hazard insurance premiums.
Upon your written request, the beneficiary or mortgagee will give you a written itemization of the entire amount you must pay. You may not have to pay the entire unpaid portion of your account, even though full payment was demanded, but you must pay all amounts in default at the time payment is made. However, you and your beneficiary or mortgagee may mutually agree in writing prior to the time the notice of sale is posted (which may not be earlier than three months after this notice of default is recorded) to, among other things, (1) provide additional time in which to cure the default by transfer of the property or otherwise; or (2) establish a schedule of payments in order to cure your default; or both (1) and (2).
Following the expiration of the time period referred to in the first paragraph of this notice, unless the obligation being foreclosed upon or a separate written agreement between you and your creditor permits a longer period, you have only the legal right to stop the sale of your property by paying the entire amount demanded by your creditor.
To find out the amount you must pay, or to arrange for payment to stop the foreclosure, or if your property is in foreclosure for any other reason, contact:
____________________________________
(Name of beneficiary or mortgagee)
____________________________________
(Mailing address)
____________________________________
(Telephone)
If you have any questions, you should contact a lawyer or the governmental agency which that may have insured your loan.
Notwithstanding the fact that your property is in foreclosure, you may offer your property for sale, provided the sale is concluded prior to the conclusion of the foreclosure.
Remember, YOU MAY LOSE LEGAL RIGHTS IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PROMPT ACTION.
If you would like additional copies of this summary, you may obtain them by calling [insert telephone number].
(d)(1)The following statement shall appear in the languages described in Section 1632 at the beginning of the notice of sale:
NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED.
(2)The following summary of key information shall be attached to the copy of the notice of sale provided to the mortgagor or trustor:
SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION
The attached notice of sale was sent to [trustor], in relation to [description of the property that secures the mortgage or deed of trust in default].
YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A (Deed of trust or mortgage) DATED ____. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE.
IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER.
The total amount due in the notice of sale is ____.
Your property is scheduled to be sold on [insert date and time of sale] at [insert location of sale].
However, the sale date shown on the attached notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call [telephone number for information regarding the trustees sale] or visit this Internet Web site [Internet Web site address for information regarding the sale of this property], using the file number assigned to this case [case file number]. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.
If you would like additional copies of this summary, you may obtain them by calling [insert telephone number].
(e)Failure to provide these summaries to the mortgagor or trustor shall have the same effect as if the notice of default or notice of sale were incomplete or not provided.
(f)This section sets forth a requirement for translation in languages other than English, and a document complying with the provisions of this section may be recorded pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 27293 of the Government Code. A document that complies with this section shall not be rejected for recordation on the ground that some part of the document is in a language other than English.
SEC. 2.Section 2924f of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924f.
(a)As used in this section and Sections 2924g and 2924h, property means real property or a leasehold estate therein, and calendar week means Monday through Saturday, inclusive.
(b)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), before any sale of property can be made under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage, or any resale resulting from a rescission for a failure of consideration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 2924h, notice of the sale thereof shall be given by posting a written notice of the time of sale and of the street address and the specific place at the street address where the sale will be held, and describing the property to be sold, at least 20 days before the date of sale in one public place in the city where the property is to be sold, if the property is to be sold in a city, or, if not, then in one public place in the judicial district in which the property is to be sold, and publishing a copy once a week for three consecutive calendar weeks.
(2)The first publication to be at least 20 days before the date of sale, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city in which the property or some part thereof is situated, if any part thereof is situated in a city, if not, then in a newspaper of general circulation published in the judicial district in which the property or some part thereof is situated, or in case no newspaper of general circulation is published in the city or judicial district, as the case may be, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated, or in case no newspaper of general circulation is published in the city or judicial district or county, as the case may be, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in this state that is contiguous to the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated and has, by comparison with all similarly contiguous counties, the highest population based upon total county population as determined by the most recent federal decennial census published by the Bureau of the Census.
(3)A copy of the notice of sale shall also be posted in a conspicuous place on the property to be sold at least 20 days before the date of sale, where possible and where not restricted for any reason. If the property is a single-family residence the posting shall be on a door of the residence, but, if not possible or restricted, then the notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the property; however, if access is denied because a common entrance to the property is restricted by a guard gate or similar impediment, the property may be posted at that guard gate or similar impediment to any development community.
(4)The notice of sale shall conform to the minimum requirements of Section 6043 of the Government Code and be recorded with the county recorder of the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated at least 20 days prior to the date of sale.
(5)The notice of sale shall contain the name, street address in this state, which may reflect an agent of the trustee, and either a toll-free telephone number or telephone number in this state of the trustee, and the name of the original trustor, and also shall contain the statement required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (c). In addition to any other description of the property, the notice shall describe the property by giving its street address, if any, or other common designation, if any, and a county assessors parcel number; but if the property has no street address or other common designation, the notice shall contain a legal description of the property, the name and address of the beneficiary at whose request the sale is to be conducted, and a statement that directions may be obtained pursuant to a written request submitted to the beneficiary within 10 days from the first publication of the notice. Directions shall be deemed reasonably sufficient to locate the property if information as to the location of the property is given by reference to the direction and approximate distance from the nearest crossroads, frontage road, or access road. If a legal description or a county assessors parcel number and either a street address or another common designation of the property is given, the validity of the notice and the validity of the sale shall not be affected by the fact that the street address, other common designation, name and address of the beneficiary, or the directions obtained therefrom are erroneous or that the street address, other common designation, name and address of the beneficiary, or directions obtained therefrom are omitted.
(6)The term newspaper of general circulation, as used in this section, has the same meaning as defined in Article 1 (commencing with Section 6000) of Chapter 1 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(7)The notice of sale shall contain a statement of the total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonably estimated costs, expenses, advances at the time of the initial publication of the notice of sale, and, if republished pursuant to a cancellation of a cash equivalent pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2924h, a reference of that fact; provided, that the trustee shall incur no liability for any good faith error in stating the proper amount, including any amount provided in good faith by or on behalf of the beneficiary. An inaccurate statement of this amount shall not affect the validity of any sale to a bona fide purchaser for value, nor shall the failure to post the notice of sale on a door as provided by this subdivision affect the validity of any sale to a bona fide purchaser for value.
(8)(A)On and after April 1, 2012, if the deed of trust or mortgage containing a power of sale is secured by real property containing from one to four single-family residences, the notice of sale shall contain substantially the following language, in addition to the language required pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (7), inclusive:
NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being foreclosed by this auction may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being foreclosed, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorders office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call [telephone number for information regarding the trustees sale] or visit this Internet Web site [Internet Web site address for information regarding the sale of this property], using the file number assigned to this case [case file number]. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.
(B)A mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or authorized agent shall make a good faith effort to provide up-to-date information regarding sale dates and postponements to persons who wish this information. This information shall be made available free of charge. It may be made available via an Internet Web site, a telephone recording that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or through any other means that allows 24 hours a day, seven days a week, no-cost access to updated information. A disruption of any of these methods of providing sale date and postponement information to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of the good faith standard.
(C)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), nothing in the wording of the notices required by subparagraph (A) is intended to modify or create any substantive rights or obligations for any person providing, or specified in, either of the required notices. Failure to comply with subparagraph (A) or (B) shall not invalidate any sale that would otherwise be valid under this section.
(D)Information provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) does not constitute the public declaration required by subdivision (d) of Section 2924g.
(9)If the sale of the property is to be a unified sale as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, the notice of sale shall also contain a description of the personal property or fixtures to be sold. In the case where it is contemplated that all of the personal property or fixtures are to be sold, the description in the notice of the personal property or fixtures shall be sufficient if it is the same as the description of the personal property or fixtures contained in the agreement creating the security interest in or encumbrance on the personal property or fixtures or the filed financing statement relating to the personal property or fixtures. In all other cases, the description in the notice shall be sufficient if it would be a sufficient description of the personal property or fixtures under Section 9108 of the Commercial Code. Inclusion of a reference to or a description of personal property or fixtures in a notice of sale hereunder shall not constitute an election by the secured party to conduct a unified sale pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, shall not obligate the secured party to conduct a unified sale pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, and in no way shall render defective or noncomplying either that notice or a sale pursuant to that notice by reason of the fact that the sale includes none or less than all of the personal property or fixtures referred to or described in the notice. This paragraph shall not otherwise affect the obligations or duties of a secured party under the Commercial Code.
(c)(1)This subdivision applies only to deeds of trust or mortgages which contain a power of sale and which are secured by real property containing a single-family, owner-occupied residence, where the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is contained in a contract for goods or services subject to the provisions of the Unruh Act (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1801) of Title 2 of Part 4 of Division 3).
(2)Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this subdivision, all other provisions of law relating to the exercise of a power of sale shall govern the exercise of a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1).
(3)If any default of the obligation secured by a deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1) has not been cured within 30 days after the recordation of the notice of default, the trustee or mortgagee shall mail to the trustor or mortgagor, at his or her last known address, a copy of the following statement:
YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A |
, |
(Deed of trust or mortgage) |
|---|
DATED____. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT |
(4)All sales of real property pursuant to a power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1) shall be held in the county where the residence is located and shall be made to the person making the highest offer. The trustee may receive offers during the 10-day period immediately prior to the date of sale and if any offer is accepted in writing by both the trustor or mortgagor and the beneficiary or mortgagee prior to the time set for sale, the sale shall be postponed to a date certain and prior to which the property may be conveyed by the trustor to the person making the offer according to its terms. The offer is revocable until accepted. The performance of the offer, following acceptance, according to its terms, by a conveyance of the property to the offeror, shall operate to terminate any further proceeding under the notice of sale and it shall be deemed revoked.
(5)In addition to the trustee fee pursuant to Section 2924c, the trustee or mortgagee pursuant to a deed of trust or mortgage subject to this subdivision shall be entitled to charge an additional fee of fifty dollars ($50).
(6)This subdivision applies only to property on which notices of default were filed on or after the effective date of this subdivision.
(d)With respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a separate document containing a summary of the notice of sale information in English and the languages described in Section 1632 shall be attached to the notice of sale provided to the mortgagor or trustor pursuant to Section 2923.3.
SEC. 2.Section 2924 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.(a)Every transfer of an interest in property, other than in trust, made only as a security for the performance of another act, is to be deemed a mortgage, except when in the case of personal property it is accompanied by actual change of possession, in which case it is to be deemed a pledge. Where, by a mortgage created after July 27, 1917, of any estate in real property, other than an estate at will or for years, less than two, or in any transfer in trust made after July 27, 1917, of a like estate to secure the performance of an obligation, a power of sale is conferred upon the mortgagee, trustee, or any other person, to be exercised after a breach of the obligation for which that mortgage or transfer is a security, the power shall not be exercised except where the mortgage or transfer is made pursuant to an order, judgment, or decree of a court of record, or to secure the payment of bonds or other evidences of indebtedness authorized or permitted to be issued by the Commissioner of Corporations, Department of Business Oversight, or is made by a public utility subject to the provisions of the Public Utilities Act, until all of the following apply:
(1)The trustee, mortgagee, or beneficiary, or any of their authorized agents shall first file for record, in the office of the recorder of each county wherein the mortgaged or trust property or some part or parcel thereof is situated, a notice of default. That notice of default shall include all of the following:
(A)A statement identifying the mortgage or deed of trust by stating the name or names of the trustor or trustors and giving the book and page, or instrument number, if applicable, where the mortgage or deed of trust is recorded or a description of the mortgaged or trust property.
(B)A statement that a breach of the obligation for which the mortgage or transfer in trust is security has occurred.
(C)A statement setting forth the nature of each breach actually known to the beneficiary and of his or her election to sell or cause to be sold the property to satisfy that obligation and any other obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage that is in default.
(D)If the default is curable pursuant to Section 2924c, the statement specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924c.
(2)Not less than three months shall elapse from the filing of the notice of default.
(3)Except as provided in paragraph (4), after the lapse of the three months described in paragraph (2), the mortgagee, trustee, or other person authorized to take the sale shall give notice of sale, stating the time and place thereof, in the manner and for a time not less than that set forth in Section 2924f.
(4)Notwithstanding paragraph (3), the mortgagee, trustee, or other person authorized to take sale may record a notice of sale pursuant to Section 2924f up to five days before the lapse of the three-month period described in paragraph (2), provided that the date of sale is no earlier than three months and 20 days after the recording of the notice of default.
(5)Until January 1, 2018, whenever a sale is postponed for a period of at least 10 business days pursuant to Section 2924g, a mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall provide written notice to a borrower regarding the new sale date and time, within five business days following the postponement. Information provided pursuant to this paragraph shall not constitute the public declaration required by subdivision (d) of Section 2924g. Failure to comply with this paragraph shall not invalidate any sale that would otherwise be valid under Section 2924f. This paragraph shall be inoperative on January 1, 2018.
(6)No entity shall record or cause a notice of default to be recorded or otherwise initiate the foreclosure process unless it is the holder of the beneficial interest under the mortgage or deed of trust, the original trustee or the substituted trustee under the deed of trust, or the designated agent of the holder of the beneficial interest. No agent of the holder of the beneficial interest under the mortgage or deed of trust, original trustee or substituted trustee under the deed of trust may record a notice of default or otherwise commence the foreclosure process except when acting within the scope of authority designated by the holder of the beneficial interest.
(b)(1)In performing acts required by this article, the both of the following shall apply:
(A)The trustee shall incur no liability for any good faith error resulting from reliance on information provided in good faith by the beneficiary regarding the nature and the amount of the default under the secured obligation, deed of trust, or mortgage. In performing the acts required by this article, a
(B)A trustee shall not be subject to Title 1.6c (commencing with Section 1788) of Part 4.
(2)A trustee under a deed of trust shall not be a legal owner or owner, as applicable, for purposes of Section 2929.3 or 2929.4.
(3)A trustee under a deed of trust shall not be responsible for any obligation or failure to maintain or register a property subject to foreclosure.
(c)A recital in the deed executed pursuant to the power of sale of compliance with all requirements of law regarding the mailing of copies of notices or the publication of a copy of the notice of default or the personal delivery of the copy of the notice of default or the posting of copies of the notice of sale or the publication of a copy thereof shall constitute prima facie evidence of compliance with these requirements and conclusive evidence thereof in favor of bona fide purchasers and encumbrancers for value and without notice.
(d)All of the following shall constitute privileged communications pursuant to Section 47:
(1)The mailing, publication, and delivery of notices as required by this section.
(2)Performance of the procedures set forth in this article.
(3)Performance of the functions and procedures set forth in this article if those functions and procedures are necessary to carry out the duties described in Sections 729.040, 729.050, and 729.080 of the Code of Civil Procedure.
(e)There is a rebuttable presumption that the beneficiary actually knew of all unpaid loan payments on the obligation owed to the beneficiary and secured by the deed of trust or mortgage subject to the notice of default. However, the failure to include an actually known default shall not invalidate the notice of sale and the beneficiary shall not be precluded from asserting a claim to this omitted default or defaults in a separate notice of default.
(f)With respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a separate document containing a summary of the notice of default information in English and the languages described in Section 1632 shall be attached to the notice of default provided to the mortgagor or trustor pursuant to Section 2923.3.
SEC. 3.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 86 of the Statutes of 2012, is amended to read:2924.11.(a)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing prior to the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(b)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing after the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of sale or conduct a trustees sale under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(c)When a borrower accepts an offered first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall provide the borrower with a copy of the fully executed loan modification agreement or agreement evidencing the foreclosure prevention alternative following receipt of the executed copy from the borrower.
(d)A mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustees sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. In the case of a short sale, the cancellation of the pending trustees sale shall occur when the short sale has been approved by all parties and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent.
(e)The mortgage servicer shall not charge any application, processing, or other fee for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative.
(f)The mortgage servicer shall not collect any late fees for periods during which a complete first lien loan modification application is under consideration or a denial is being appealed, the borrower is making timely modification payments, or a foreclosure prevention alternative is being evaluated or exercised.
(g)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of that borrowers loan is transferred or sold to another mortgage servicer, the subsequent mortgage servicer shall continue to honor any previously approved first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, in accordance with the provisions of the act that added this section.
(h)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(i)This section shall not apply to entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 4.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 87 of the Statutes of 2012, is repealed.SEC. 5.Section 2924c of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924c.(a)(1)Whenever all or a portion of the principal sum of any obligation secured by deed of trust or mortgage on real property or an estate for years therein hereafter executed has, prior to the maturity date fixed in that obligation, become due or been declared due by reason of default in payment of interest or of any installment of principal, or by reason of failure of trustor or mortgagor to pay, in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, taxes, assessments, premiums for insurance, or advances made by beneficiary or mortgagee in accordance with the terms of that obligation or of the deed of trust or mortgage, the trustor or mortgagor or his or her successor in interest in the mortgaged or trust property or any part thereof, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon, at any time within the period specified in subdivision (e), if the power of sale therein is to be exercised, or, otherwise at any time prior to entry of the decree of foreclosure, may pay to the beneficiary or the mortgagee or their successors in interest, respectively, the entire amount due, at the time payment is tendered, with respect to (A) all amounts of principal, interest, taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or advances actually known by the beneficiary to be, and that are, in default and shown in the notice of default, under the terms of the deed of trust or mortgage and the obligation secured thereby, (B) all amounts in default on recurring obligations not shown in the notice of default, and (C) all reasonable costs and expenses, subject to subdivision (c), which that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation, deed of trust, or mortgage, and trustees or attorneys fees, subject to subdivision (d), other than the portion of principal as would not then be due had no default occurred, and thereby cure the default theretofore existing, and thereupon, all proceedings theretofore had or instituted shall be dismissed or discontinued and the obligation and deed of trust or mortgage shall be reinstated and shall be and remain in force and effect, the same as if the acceleration had not occurred. This section does not apply to bonds or other evidences of indebtedness authorized or permitted to be issued by the Commissioner of Corporations Department of Business Oversight or made by a public utility subject to the Public Utilities Code. For the purposes of this subdivision, the term recurring obligation means all amounts of principal and interest on the loan, or rents, subject to the deed of trust or mortgage in default due after the notice of default is recorded; all amounts of principal and interest or rents advanced on senior liens or leaseholds which that are advanced after the recordation of the notice of default; and payments of taxes, assessments, and hazard insurance advanced after recordation of the notice of default. If the beneficiary or mortgagee has made no advances on defaults which that would constitute recurring obligations, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require the trustor or mortgagor to provide reliable written evidence that the amounts have been paid prior to reinstatement.
(2)If the trustor, mortgagor, or other person authorized to cure the default pursuant to this subdivision does cure the default, the beneficiary or mortgagee or the agent for the beneficiary or mortgagee shall, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice of rescission which that rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale and advises the trustee of the date of reinstatement. The trustee shall cause the notice of rescission to be recorded within 30 days of receipt of the notice of rescission and of all allowable fees and costs.
No charge, except for the recording fee, shall be made against the trustor or mortgagor for the execution and recordation of the notice which rescinds the declaration of default and demand for sale.
(b)(1)The notice, of any default described in this section, recorded pursuant to Section 2924, and mailed to any person pursuant to Section 2924b, shall begin with the following statement, printed or typed thereon:
IMPORTANT NOTICE [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed]
IF YOUR PROPERTY IS IN FORECLOSURE BECAUSE YOU ARE BEHIND IN YOUR PAYMENTS, IT MAY BE SOLD WITHOUT ANY COURT ACTION, [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if typed] and you may have the legal right to bring your account in good standing by paying all of your past due payments plus permitted costs and expenses within the time permitted by law for reinstatement of your account, which is normally five business days prior to the date set for the sale of your property. No sale date may be set until approximately 90 days from the date this notice of default may be recorded (which date of recordation appears on this notice).
This amount is | as of |
(Date) |
|---|
and will increase until your account becomes current.
While your property is in foreclosure, you still must pay other obligations (such as insurance and taxes) required by your note and deed of trust or mortgage. If you fail to make future payments on the loan, pay taxes on the property, provide insurance on the property, or pay other obligations as required in the note and deed of trust or mortgage, the beneficiary or mortgagee may insist that you do so in order to reinstate your account in good standing. In addition, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require as a condition to reinstatement that you provide reliable written evidence that you paid all senior liens, property taxes, and hazard insurance premiums.
Upon your written request, the beneficiary or mortgagee will give you a written itemization of the entire amount you must pay. You may not have to pay the entire unpaid portion of your account, even though full payment was demanded, but you must pay all amounts in default at the time payment is made. However, you and your beneficiary or mortgagee may mutually agree in writing prior to the time the notice of sale is posted (which may not be earlier than three months after this notice of default is recorded) to, among other things, (1) provide additional time in which to cure the default by transfer of the property or otherwise; or (2) establish a schedule of payments in order to cure your default; or both (1) and (2).
Following the expiration of the time period referred to in the first paragraph of this notice, unless the obligation being foreclosed upon or a separate written agreement between you and your creditor permits a longer period, you have only the legal right to stop the sale of your property by paying the entire amount demanded by your creditor.
To find out the amount you must pay, or to arrange for payment to stop the foreclosure, or if your property is in foreclosure for any other reason, contact:
(Name of beneficiary or mortgagee) | |
|---|---|
(Mailing address) | |
(Telephone) |
If you have any questions, you should contact a lawyer or the governmental agency which that may have insured your loan.
Notwithstanding the fact that your property is in foreclosure, you may offer your property for sale, provided the sale is concluded prior to the conclusion of the foreclosure.
Remember, YOU MAY LOSE LEGAL RIGHTS IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PROMPT ACTION. [14-point boldface type if printed or in capital letters if
typed]
Unless otherwise specified, the notice, if printed, shall appear in at least 12-point boldface type.
If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is a contract or agreement described in paragraph (1) or (4) of subdivision (a) of Section 1632, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish if the trustor requested a Spanish language translation of the contract or agreement pursuant to Section 1632. If the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is contained in a home improvement contract, as defined in Sections 7151.2 and 7159 of the Business and Professions Code, which is subject to Title 2 (commencing with Section 1801), the seller shall specify on the contract whether or not the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish and if the contract was principally negotiated in Spanish, the notice required herein shall be in Spanish. No assignee of the contract or person authorized to record the notice of default shall incur any obligation or liability for failing to mail a notice in Spanish unless Spanish is specified in the contract or the assignee or person has actual knowledge that the secured obligation was principally negotiated in Spanish. Unless specified in writing to the contrary, a copy of the notice required by subdivision (c) of Section 2924b shall be in English.
(2)Any failure to comply with the provisions of this subdivision shall not affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value and without notice.
(c)Costs and expenses which that may be charged pursuant to Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, shall be limited to the costs incurred for recording, mailing, including certified and express mail charges, publishing, and posting notices required by Sections 2924 to 2924i, inclusive, postponement pursuant to Section 2924g not to exceed fifty dollars ($50) per postponement and a fee for a trustees sale guarantee or, in the event of judicial foreclosure, a litigation guarantee. For purposes of this subdivision, a trustee or beneficiary may purchase a trustees sale guarantee at a rate meeting the standards contained in Sections 12401.1 and 12401.3 of the Insurance Code.
(d)Trustees or attorneys fees which that may be charged pursuant to subdivision (a), or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor as provided in Section 2924b, if the sale is by power of sale contained in the deed of trust or mortgage, or, otherwise at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, are hereby authorized to be in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($300) ($350) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or two three hundred fifty dollars ($250) ($300) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-eighth of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where the charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded.
(e)Reinstatement of a monetary default under the terms of an obligation secured by a deed of trust, or mortgage may be made at any time within the period commencing with the date of recordation of the notice of default until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale.
In the event the sale does not take place on the date set forth in the initial recorded notice of sale or a subsequent recorded notice of sale is required to be given, the right of reinstatement shall be revived as of the date of recordation of the subsequent notice of sale, and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the subsequently recorded notice of sale.
In the event the date of sale is postponed on the date of sale set forth in either an initial or any subsequent notice of sale, or is postponed on the date declared for sale at an immediately preceding postponement of sale, and, the postponement is for a period which that exceeds five business days from the date set forth in the notice of sale, or declared at the time of postponement, then the right of reinstatement is revived as of the date of postponement and shall continue from that date until five business days prior to the date of sale declared at the time of the postponement.
Nothing contained herein shall give rise to a right of reinstatement during the period of five business days prior to the date of sale, whether the date of sale is noticed in a notice of sale or declared at a postponement of sale.
Pursuant to the terms of this subdivision, no beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or their agents or successors shall be liable in any manner to a trustor, mortgagor, their agents or successors or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust or mortgage or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record thereon for the failure to allow a reinstatement of the obligation secured by a deed of trust or mortgage during the period of five business days prior to the sale of the security property, and no such right of reinstatement during this period is created by this section. Any right of reinstatement created by this section is terminated five business days prior to the date of sale set forth in the initial date of sale, and is revived only as prescribed herein and only as of the date set forth herein.
As used in this subdivision, the term business day has the same meaning as specified in Section 9.
SEC. 6.Section 2924d of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924d.(a)Commencing with the date that the notice of sale is deposited in the mail, as provided in Section 2924b, and until the property is sold pursuant to the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust, a beneficiary, trustee, mortgagee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a trustor, mortgagor, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or any beneficiary under a subordinate deed of trust, or any other person having a subordinate lien or encumbrance of record those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, which that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees which that are hereby authorized to be in a base amount which that does not exceed four hundred twenty-five seventy-five dollars ($425) ($475) if the unpaid principal sum secured is one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or less, or three four hundred sixty ten dollars ($360) ($410) if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) up to and including one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), plus one-half of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) up to and including five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), plus one-quarter of 1 percent of any portion of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000). For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amounts authorized herein. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(b)Upon the sale of property pursuant to a power of sale, a trustee, or his or her agent or successor in interest, may demand and receive from a beneficiary, or his or her agent or successor in interest, or may deduct from the proceeds of the sale, those reasonable costs and expenses, to the extent allowed by subdivision (c) of Section 2924c, which that are actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation and trustees or attorneys fees which that are hereby authorized to be in an amount which does not exceed four hundred twenty-five dollars ($425) or one percent of the unpaid principal sum secured, whichever is greater. For purposes of this subdivision, the unpaid principal sum secured shall be determined as of the date the notice of default is recorded. Any charge for trustees or attorneys fees authorized by this subdivision shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid where that charge does not exceed the amount authorized herein. Any charges for trustees or attorneys fees made pursuant to this subdivision shall be in lieu of and not in addition to those charges authorized by subdivision (a) of this section and subdivision (d) of Section 2924c.
(c)(1)No person shall pay or offer to pay or collect any rebate or kickback for the referral of business involving the performance of any act required by this article.
(2)Any person who violates this subdivision shall be liable to the trustor for three times the amount of any rebate or kickback, plus reasonable attorneys fees and costs, in addition to any other remedies provided by law.
(3)No violation of this subdivision shall affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser or the rights of an encumbrancer for value without notice.
(d)It shall not be unlawful for a trustee to pay or offer to pay a fee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust. Any payment of a fee by a trustee to an agent or subagent of the trustee for work performed by the agent or subagent in discharging the trustees obligations under the terms of the deed of trust shall be conclusively presumed to be lawful and valid if the fee, when combined with other fees of the trustee, does not exceed in the aggregate the trustees fee authorized by subdivision (d) of Section 2924c or subdivision (a) or (b) of this section.
(e)When a court issues a decree of foreclosure, it shall have discretion to award attorneys fees, costs, and expenses as are reasonable, if provided for in the note, deed of trust, or mortgage, pursuant to Section 580c of the Code of Civil Procedure.
SEC. 7.Section 2924f of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924f.(a)As used in this section and Sections 2924g and 2924h, property means real property or a leasehold estate therein, and calendar week means Monday through Saturday, inclusive.
(b)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), before any sale of property can be made under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage, or any resale resulting from a rescission for a failure of consideration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 2924h, notice of the sale thereof shall be given by posting a written notice of the time of sale and of the street address and the specific place at the street address where the sale will be held, and describing the property to be sold, at least 20 days before the date of sale in one public place in the city where the property is to be sold, if the property is to be sold in a city, or, if not, then in one public place in the judicial district in which the property is to be sold, and publishing a copy once a week for three consecutive calendar weeks.
(2)The first publication to be at least 20 days before the date of sale, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city in which the property or some part thereof is situated, if any part thereof is situated in a city, if not, then in a newspaper of general circulation published in the judicial district in which the property or some part thereof is situated, or in case no newspaper of general circulation is published in the city or judicial district, as the case may be, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated, or in case no newspaper of general circulation is published in the city or judicial district or county, as the case may be, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in this state that is contiguous to the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated and has, by comparison with all similarly contiguous counties, the highest population based upon total county population as determined by the most recent federal decennial census published by the Bureau of the Census.
(3)A copy of the notice of sale shall also be posted in a conspicuous place on the property to be sold at least 20 days before the date of sale, where possible and where not restricted for any reason. If the property is a single-family residence the posting shall be on a door of the residence, but, if not possible or restricted, then the notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the property; however, if access is denied because a common entrance to the property is restricted by a guard gate or similar impediment, the property may be posted at that guard gate or similar impediment to any development community.
(4)The notice of sale shall conform to the minimum requirements of Section 6043 of the Government Code and be recorded with the county recorder of the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated at least 20 days prior to the date of sale.
(5)The notice of sale shall contain the name, street address in this state, which may reflect an agent of the trustee, and either a toll-free telephone number or telephone number in this state of the trustee, and the name of the original trustor, and also shall contain the statement required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (c). In addition to any other description of the property, the notice shall describe the property by giving its street address, if any, or other common designation, if any, and a county assessors parcel number; but if the property has no street address or other common designation, the notice shall contain a legal description of the property, the name and address of the beneficiary at whose request the sale is to be conducted, and a statement that directions may be obtained pursuant to a written request submitted to the beneficiary within 10 days from the first publication of the notice. Directions shall be deemed reasonably sufficient to locate the property if information as to the location of the property is given by reference to the direction and approximate distance from the nearest crossroads, frontage road, or access road. If a legal description or a county assessors parcel number and either a street address or another common designation of the property is given, the validity of the notice and the validity of the sale shall not be affected by the fact that the street address, other common designation, name and address of the beneficiary, or the directions obtained therefrom are erroneous or that the street address, other common designation, name and address of the beneficiary, or directions obtained therefrom are omitted.
(6)The term newspaper of general circulation, as used in this section, has the same meaning as defined in Article 1 (commencing with Section 6000) of Chapter 1 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(7)The notice of sale shall contain a statement of the total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonably estimated costs, expenses, advances at the time of the initial publication of the notice of sale, and, if republished pursuant to a cancellation of a cash equivalent pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2924h, a reference of that fact; provided, that the trustee shall incur no liability for any good faith error in stating the proper amount, including any amount provided in good faith by or on behalf of the beneficiary. An inaccurate statement of this amount shall not affect the validity of any sale to a bona fide purchaser for value, nor shall the failure to post the notice of sale on a door as provided by this subdivision affect the validity of any sale to a bona fide purchaser for value.
(8)(A)On and after April 1, 2012, if the deed of trust or mortgage containing a power of sale is secured by real property containing from one to four single-family residences, the notice of sale shall contain substantially the following language, in addition to the language required pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (7), inclusive:
NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, property, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off foreclosed by this auction may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, foreclosed, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorders office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call [telephone number for information regarding the trustees sale] or visit this Internet Web site [Internet Web site address for information regarding the sale of this property], using the file number assigned to this case [case file number]. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.
(B)A mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or authorized agent shall make a good faith effort to provide up-to-date information regarding sale dates and postponements to persons who wish this information. This information shall be made available free of charge. It may be made available via an Internet Web site, a telephone recording that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or through any other means that allows 24 hours a day, seven days a week, no-cost access to updated information. A disruption of any of these methods of providing sale date and postponement information to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of the good faith standard.
(C)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), nothing in the wording of the notices required by subparagraph (A) is intended to modify or create any substantive rights or obligations for any person providing, or specified in, either of the required notices. Failure to comply with subparagraph (A) or (B) shall not invalidate any sale that would otherwise be valid under Section 2924f. this section.
(D)Information provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) does not constitute the public declaration required by subdivision (d) of Section 2924g.
(9)If the sale of the property is to be a unified sale as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, the notice of sale shall also contain a description of the personal property or fixtures to be sold. In the case where it is contemplated that all of the personal property or fixtures are to be sold, the description in the notice of the personal property or fixtures shall be sufficient if it is the same as the description of the personal property or fixtures contained in the agreement creating the security interest in or encumbrance on the personal property or fixtures or the filed financing statement relating to the personal property or fixtures. In all other cases, the description in the notice shall be sufficient if it would be a sufficient description of the personal property or fixtures under Section 9108 of the Commercial Code. Inclusion of a reference to or a description of personal property or fixtures in a notice of sale hereunder shall not constitute an election by the secured party to conduct a unified sale pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, shall not obligate the secured party to conduct a unified sale pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, and in no way shall render defective or noncomplying either that notice or a sale pursuant to that notice by reason of the fact that the sale includes none or less than all of the personal property or fixtures referred to or described in the notice. This paragraph shall not otherwise affect the obligations or duties of a secured party under the Commercial Code.
(c)(1)This subdivision applies only to deeds of trust or mortgages which that contain a power of sale and which that are secured by real property containing a single-family, owner-occupied residence, where the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is contained in a contract for goods or services subject to the provisions of the Unruh Act (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1801) of Title 2 of Part 4 of Division 3).
(2)Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this subdivision, all other provisions of law relating to the exercise of a power of sale shall govern the exercise of a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1).
(3)If any default of the obligation secured by a deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1) has not been cured within 30 days after the recordation of the notice of default, the trustee or mortgagee shall mail to the trustor or mortgagor, at his or her last known address, a copy of the following statement:
YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A |
, |
(Deed of trust or mortgage) |
|---|
DATED____. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT |
(4)All sales of real property pursuant to a power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1) shall be held in the county where the residence is located and shall be made to the person making the highest offer. The trustee may receive offers during the 10-day period immediately prior to the date of sale and if any offer is accepted in writing by both the trustor or mortgagor and the beneficiary or mortgagee prior to the time set for sale, the sale shall be postponed to a date certain and prior to which the property may be conveyed by the trustor to the person making the offer according to its terms. The offer is revocable until accepted. The performance of the offer, following acceptance, according to its terms, by a conveyance of the property to the offeror, shall operate to terminate any further proceeding under the notice of sale and it shall be deemed revoked.
(5)In addition to the trustee fee pursuant to Section 2924c, the trustee or mortgagee pursuant to a deed of trust or mortgage subject to this subdivision shall be entitled to charge an additional fee of fifty dollars ($50).
(6)This subdivision applies only to property on which notices of default were filed on or after the effective date of this subdivision.
(d)With respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a separate document containing a summary of the notice of sale information in English and the languages described in Section 1632 shall be attached to the notice of sale provided to the mortgagor or trustor pursuant to Section 2923.3.
SEC. 8.Section 2934a of the Civil Code is amended to read:2934a.(a)(1)The trustee under a trust deed upon real property or an estate for years therein given to secure an obligation to pay money and conferring no other duties upon the trustee than those which are incidental to the exercise of the power of sale therein conferred, may be substituted by the recording in the county in which the property is located of a substitution executed and acknowledged by: (A) all of the beneficiaries under the trust deed, or their successors in interest, and the substitution shall be effective notwithstanding any contrary provision in any trust deed executed on or after January 1, 1968; or (B) the holders of more than 50 percent of the record beneficial interest of a series of notes secured by the same real property or of undivided interests in a note secured by real property equivalent to a series transaction, exclusive of any notes or interests of a licensed real estate broker that is the issuer or servicer of the notes or interests or of any affiliate of that licensed real estate broker.
(2)A substitution executed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) is not effective unless all the parties signing the substitution sign, under penalty of perjury, a separate written document stating the following:
(A)The substitution has been signed pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1).
(B)None of the undersigned is a licensed real estate broker or an affiliate of the broker that is the issuer or servicer of the obligation secured by the deed of trust.
(C)The undersigned together hold more than 50 percent of the record beneficial interest of a series of notes secured by the same real property or of undivided interests in a note secured by real property equivalent to a series transaction.
(D)Notice of the substitution was sent by certified mail, postage prepaid, with return receipt requested to each holder of an interest in the obligation secured by the deed of trust who has not joined in the execution of the substitution or the separate document.
The separate document shall be attached to the substitution and be recorded in the office of the county recorder of each county in which the real property described in the deed of trust is located. Once the document required by this paragraph is recorded, it shall constitute conclusive evidence of compliance with the requirements of this paragraph in favor of substituted trustees acting pursuant to this section, subsequent assignees of the obligation secured by the deed of trust and subsequent bona fide purchasers or encumbrancers for value of the real property described therein.
(3)For purposes of this section, affiliate of the licensed real estate broker includes any person as defined in Section 25013 of the Corporations Code that is controlled by, or is under common control with, or who controls, a licensed real estate broker. Control means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to direct or cause the direction of management and policies.
(4)The substitution shall contain the date of recordation of the trust deed, the name of the trustor, the book and page or instrument number where the trust deed is recorded, and the name of the new trustee. From the time the substitution is filed for record, the new trustee shall succeed to all the powers, duties, authority, and title granted and delegated to the trustee named in the deed of trust. A substitution may be accomplished, with respect to multiple deeds of trust which are recorded in the same county in which the substitution is being recorded and which all have the same trustee and beneficiary or beneficiaries, by recording a single document, complying with the requirements of this section, substituting trustees for all those deeds of trust.
(b)If the substitution is executed, but not recorded, prior to or concurrently with the recording of the notice of default, the beneficiary or beneficiaries or their authorized agents shall cause notice of the substitution to be mailed prior to or concurrently with the recording thereof, in the manner provided in Section 2924b, to all persons to whom a copy of the notice of default would be required to be mailed by the provisions of Section 2924b. An affidavit shall be attached to the substitution that notice has been given to those persons and in the manner required by this subdivision.
(c)If the substitution is effected after a notice of default has been recorded but prior to the recording of the notice of sale, the beneficiary or beneficiaries or their authorized agents shall cause a copy of the substitution to be mailed, prior to, or concurrently with, the recording thereof, in the manner provided in Section 2924b, to the trustee then of record and to all persons to whom a copy of the notice of default would be required to be mailed by the provisions of Section 2924b. An affidavit shall be attached to the substitution that notice has been given to those persons and in the manner required by this subdivision.
(d) (1)A trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee shall be deemed to be authorized to act as the trustee under the mortgage or deed of trust for all purposes from the date the substitution is executed by the mortgagee, beneficiaries, or by their authorized agents. Nothing herein requires that a trustee under a recorded substitution accept the substitution. Once recorded, the substitution shall constitute conclusive evidence of the authority of the substituted trustee or his or her agents to act pursuant to this section.
(2)A trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee shall not be a legal owner or owner, as applicable, for purposes of Section 2929.3 or 2929.4.
(e) Notwithstanding any provision of this section or any provision in any deed of trust, unless a new notice of sale containing the name, street address, and telephone number of the substituted trustee is given pursuant to Section 2924f after execution of the substitution, any sale conducted by the substituted trustee shall be void.
(f) This section shall become operative on January 1, 1998.
(a)With respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall provide to the mortgagor or trustor a copy of the recorded notice of default indicating the recording date with an attached separate summary document of the notice of default in English and the languages described in Section 1632, as set forth in subdivision (c), and a copy of the recorded notice of sale indicating the recording date with an attached separate summary document of the information required to be contained in the notice of sale in English and the languages described in Section 1632, as set forth in subdivision (d). These summaries are not required to be recorded or published. This subdivision shall become operative on April 1, 2013, or 90 days following the issuance of the translations by the Department of Business Oversight pursuant to subdivision (b), whichever is later.
(b)(1)The Department of Business Oversight shall provide a standard translation of the statement in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c), and of the summary of the notice of default, as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) in the languages described in Section 1632.
(2)The Department of Business Oversight shall provide a standard translation of the statement in paragraph (1) of subdivision (d), and of the summary of the notice of sale, as set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (d).
(3)The department shall make the translations described in paragraphs (1) and (2) available without charge on its Internet Web site. Any mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent who provides the departments translations in the manner prescribed by this section shall be in compliance with this section.
(c)(1)The following statement shall appear in the languages described in Section 1632 at the beginning of the notice of default:
NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED.
(2)The following summary of key information shall be attached to the copy of the notice of default provided to the mortgagor or trustor:
SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION
The attached notice of default was sent to [name of the trustor], in relation to [description of the property that secures the mortgage or deed of trust in default]. This property may be sold to satisfy your obligation and any other obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage that is in default. [Trustor] has, as described in the notice of default, breached the mortgage or deed of trust on the property described above.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: IF YOUR PROPERTY IS IN FORECLOSURE BECAUSE YOU ARE BEHIND IN YOUR PAYMENTS, IT MAY BE SOLD WITHOUT ANY COURT ACTION, and you may have the legal right to bring your account in good standing by paying all of your past due payments plus permitted costs and expenses within the time permitted by law for reinstatement of your account, which is normally five business days prior to the date set for the sale of your property. No sale date may be set until approximately 90 days from the date the attached notice of default may be recorded (which date of recordation appears on the notice).
This amount is ____________ as of ___(date)____________and will increase until your account becomes current.
While your property is in foreclosure, you still must pay other obligations (such as insurance and taxes) required by your note and deed of trust or mortgage. If you fail to make future payments on the loan, pay taxes on the property, provide insurance on the property, or pay other obligations as required in the note and deed of trust or mortgage, the beneficiary or mortgagee may insist that you do so in order to reinstate your account in good standing. In addition, the beneficiary or mortgagee may require as a condition to reinstatement that you provide reliable written evidence that you paid all senior liens, property taxes, and hazard insurance premiums.
Upon your written request, the beneficiary or mortgagee will give you a written itemization of the entire amount you must pay. You may not have to pay the entire unpaid portion of your account, even though full payment was demanded, but you must pay all amounts in default at the time payment is made. However, you and your beneficiary or mortgagee may mutually agree in writing prior to the time the notice of sale is posted (which may not be earlier than three months after this notice of default is recorded) to, among other things, (1) provide additional time in which to cure the default by transfer of the property or otherwise; or (2) establish a schedule of payments in order to cure your default; or both (1) and (2).
Following the expiration of the time period referred to in the first paragraph of this notice, unless the obligation being foreclosed upon or a separate written agreement between you and your creditor permits a longer period, you have only the legal right to stop the sale of your property by paying the entire amount demanded by your creditor.
To find out the amount you must pay, or to arrange for payment to stop the foreclosure, or if your property is in foreclosure for any other reason, contact:
____________________________________
(Name of beneficiary or mortgagee)
____________________________________
(Mailing address)
____________________________________
(Telephone)
If you have any questions, you should contact a lawyer or the governmental agency which may have insured your loan.
Notwithstanding the fact that your property is in foreclosure, you may offer your property for sale, provided the sale is concluded prior to the conclusion of the foreclosure.
Remember, YOU MAY LOSE LEGAL RIGHTS IF YOU DO NOT TAKE PROMPT ACTION.
If you would like additional copies of this summary, you may obtain them by calling [insert telephone number].
(d)(1)The following statement shall appear in the languages described in Section 1632 at the beginning of the notice of sale:
NOTE: THERE IS A SUMMARY OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS DOCUMENT ATTACHED.
(2)The following summary of key information shall be attached to the copy of the notice of sale provided to the mortgagor or trustor:
SUMMARY OF KEY INFORMATION
The attached notice of sale was sent to [trustor], in relation to [description of the property that secures the mortgage or deed of trust in default].
YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A (Deed of trust or mortgage) DATED ____. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY, IT MAY BE SOLD AT A PUBLIC SALE.
IF YOU NEED AN EXPLANATION OF THE NATURE OF THE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU, YOU SHOULD CONTACT A LAWYER.
The total amount due in the notice of sale is ____.
Your property is scheduled to be sold on [insert date and time of sale] at [insert location of sale].
However, the sale date shown on the attached notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call [telephone number for information regarding the trustees sale] or visit this Internet Web site [Internet Web site address for information regarding the sale of this property], using the file number assigned to this case [case file number]. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.
If you would like additional copies of this summary, you may obtain them by calling [insert telephone number].
(e)Failure to provide these summaries to the mortgagor or trustor shall have the same effect as if the notice of default or notice of sale were incomplete or not provided.
(f)This section sets forth a requirement for translation in languages other than English, and a document complying with the provisions of this section may be recorded pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 27293 of the Government Code. A document that complies with this section shall not be rejected for recordation on the ground that some part of the document is in a language other than English.
SEC. 2.Section 2924f of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924f.
(a)As used in this section and Sections 2924g and 2924h, property means real property or a leasehold estate therein, and calendar week means Monday through Saturday, inclusive.
(b)(1)Except as provided in subdivision (c), before any sale of property can be made under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage, or any resale resulting from a rescission for a failure of consideration pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 2924h, notice of the sale thereof shall be given by posting a written notice of the time of sale and of the street address and the specific place at the street address where the sale will be held, and describing the property to be sold, at least 20 days before the date of sale in one public place in the city where the property is to be sold, if the property is to be sold in a city, or, if not, then in one public place in the judicial district in which the property is to be sold, and publishing a copy once a week for three consecutive calendar weeks.
(2)The first publication to be at least 20 days before the date of sale, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the city in which the property or some part thereof is situated, if any part thereof is situated in a city, if not, then in a newspaper of general circulation published in the judicial district in which the property or some part thereof is situated, or in case no newspaper of general circulation is published in the city or judicial district, as the case may be, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated, or in case no newspaper of general circulation is published in the city or judicial district or county, as the case may be, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the county in this state that is contiguous to the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated and has, by comparison with all similarly contiguous counties, the highest population based upon total county population as determined by the most recent federal decennial census published by the Bureau of the Census.
(3)A copy of the notice of sale shall also be posted in a conspicuous place on the property to be sold at least 20 days before the date of sale, where possible and where not restricted for any reason. If the property is a single-family residence the posting shall be on a door of the residence, but, if not possible or restricted, then the notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the property; however, if access is denied because a common entrance to the property is restricted by a guard gate or similar impediment, the property may be posted at that guard gate or similar impediment to any development community.
(4)The notice of sale shall conform to the minimum requirements of Section 6043 of the Government Code and be recorded with the county recorder of the county in which the property or some part thereof is situated at least 20 days prior to the date of sale.
(5)The notice of sale shall contain the name, street address in this state, which may reflect an agent of the trustee, and either a toll-free telephone number or telephone number in this state of the trustee, and the name of the original trustor, and also shall contain the statement required by paragraph (3) of subdivision (c). In addition to any other description of the property, the notice shall describe the property by giving its street address, if any, or other common designation, if any, and a county assessors parcel number; but if the property has no street address or other common designation, the notice shall contain a legal description of the property, the name and address of the beneficiary at whose request the sale is to be conducted, and a statement that directions may be obtained pursuant to a written request submitted to the beneficiary within 10 days from the first publication of the notice. Directions shall be deemed reasonably sufficient to locate the property if information as to the location of the property is given by reference to the direction and approximate distance from the nearest crossroads, frontage road, or access road. If a legal description or a county assessors parcel number and either a street address or another common designation of the property is given, the validity of the notice and the validity of the sale shall not be affected by the fact that the street address, other common designation, name and address of the beneficiary, or the directions obtained therefrom are erroneous or that the street address, other common designation, name and address of the beneficiary, or directions obtained therefrom are omitted.
(6)The term newspaper of general circulation, as used in this section, has the same meaning as defined in Article 1 (commencing with Section 6000) of Chapter 1 of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code.
(7)The notice of sale shall contain a statement of the total amount of the unpaid balance of the obligation secured by the property to be sold and reasonably estimated costs, expenses, advances at the time of the initial publication of the notice of sale, and, if republished pursuant to a cancellation of a cash equivalent pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 2924h, a reference of that fact; provided, that the trustee shall incur no liability for any good faith error in stating the proper amount, including any amount provided in good faith by or on behalf of the beneficiary. An inaccurate statement of this amount shall not affect the validity of any sale to a bona fide purchaser for value, nor shall the failure to post the notice of sale on a door as provided by this subdivision affect the validity of any sale to a bona fide purchaser for value.
(8)(A)On and after April 1, 2012, if the deed of trust or mortgage containing a power of sale is secured by real property containing from one to four single-family residences, the notice of sale shall contain substantially the following language, in addition to the language required pursuant to paragraphs (1) to (7), inclusive:
NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, property, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off foreclosed by this auction may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, foreclosed, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorders office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.
NOTICE TO PROPERTY OWNER: The sale date shown on this notice of sale may be postponed one or more times by the mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or a court, pursuant to Section 2924g of the California Civil Code. The law requires that information about trustee sale postponements be made available to you and to the public, as a courtesy to those not present at the sale. If you wish to learn whether your sale date has been postponed, and, if applicable, the rescheduled time and date for the sale of this property, you may call [telephone number for information regarding the trustees sale] or visit this Internet Web site [Internet Web site address for information regarding the sale of this property], using the file number assigned to this case [case file number]. Information about postponements that are very short in duration or that occur close in time to the scheduled sale may not immediately be reflected in the telephone information or on the Internet Web site. The best way to verify postponement information is to attend the scheduled sale.
(B)A mortgagee, beneficiary, trustee, or authorized agent shall make a good faith effort to provide up-to-date information regarding sale dates and postponements to persons who wish this information. This information shall be made available free of charge. It may be made available via an Internet Web site, a telephone recording that is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or through any other means that allows 24 hours a day, seven days a week, no-cost access to updated information. A disruption of any of these methods of providing sale date and postponement information to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of the good faith standard.
(C)Except as provided in subparagraph (B), nothing in the wording of the notices required by subparagraph (A) is intended to modify or create any substantive rights or obligations for any person providing, or specified in, either of the required notices. Failure to comply with subparagraph (A) or (B) shall not invalidate any sale that would otherwise be valid under Section 2924f. this section.
(D)Information provided pursuant to subparagraph (A) does not constitute the public declaration required by subdivision (d) of Section 2924g.
(9)If the sale of the property is to be a unified sale as provided in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, the notice of sale shall also contain a description of the personal property or fixtures to be sold. In the case where it is contemplated that all of the personal property or fixtures are to be sold, the description in the notice of the personal property or fixtures shall be sufficient if it is the same as the description of the personal property or fixtures contained in the agreement creating the security interest in or encumbrance on the personal property or fixtures or the filed financing statement relating to the personal property or fixtures. In all other cases, the description in the notice shall be sufficient if it would be a sufficient description of the personal property or fixtures under Section 9108 of the Commercial Code. Inclusion of a reference to or a description of personal property or fixtures in a notice of sale hereunder shall not constitute an election by the secured party to conduct a unified sale pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, shall not obligate the secured party to conduct a unified sale pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 9604 of the Commercial Code, and in no way shall render defective or noncomplying either that notice or a sale pursuant to that notice by reason of the fact that the sale includes none or less than all of the personal property or fixtures referred to or described in the notice. This paragraph shall not otherwise affect the obligations or duties of a secured party under the Commercial Code.
(c)(1)This subdivision applies only to deeds of trust or mortgages which contain a power of sale and which are secured by real property containing a single-family, owner-occupied residence, where the obligation secured by the deed of trust or mortgage is contained in a contract for goods or services subject to the provisions of the Unruh Act (Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 1801) of Title 2 of Part 4 of Division 3).
(2)Except as otherwise expressly set forth in this subdivision, all other provisions of law relating to the exercise of a power of sale shall govern the exercise of a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1).
(3)If any default of the obligation secured by a deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1) has not been cured within 30 days after the recordation of the notice of default, the trustee or mortgagee shall mail to the trustor or mortgagor, at his or her last known address, a copy of the following statement:
YOU ARE IN DEFAULT UNDER A |
, |
(Deed of trust or mortgage) |
|---|
DATED____. UNLESS YOU TAKE ACTION TO PROTECT |
(4)All sales of real property pursuant to a power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage described in paragraph (1) shall be held in the county where the residence is located and shall be made to the person making the highest offer. The trustee may receive offers during the 10-day period immediately prior to the date of sale and if any offer is accepted in writing by both the trustor or mortgagor and the beneficiary or mortgagee prior to the time set for sale, the sale shall be postponed to a date certain and prior to which the property may be conveyed by the trustor to the person making the offer according to its terms. The offer is revocable until accepted. The performance of the offer, following acceptance, according to its terms, by a conveyance of the property to the offeror, shall operate to terminate any further proceeding under the notice of sale and it shall be deemed revoked.
(5)In addition to the trustee fee pursuant to Section 2924c, the trustee or mortgagee pursuant to a deed of trust or mortgage subject to this subdivision shall be entitled to charge an additional fee of fifty dollars ($50).
(6)This subdivision applies only to property on which notices of default were filed on or after the effective date of this subdivision.
(d)With respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a separate document containing a summary of the notice of sale information in English and the languages described in Section 1632 shall be attached to the notice of sale provided to the mortgagor or trustor pursuant to Section 2923.3.
SEC. 3.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 86 of the Statutes of 2012, is amended to read:2924.11.(a)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing prior to the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(b)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing after the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of sale or conduct a trustees sale under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(c)When a borrower accepts an offered first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall provide the borrower with a copy of the fully executed loan modification agreement or agreement evidencing the foreclosure prevention alternative following receipt of the executed copy from the borrower.
(d)A mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustees sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. In the case of a short sale, the rescission or cancellation of the pending trustees sale shall occur when the short sale has been approved by all parties and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent.
(e)The mortgage servicer shall not charge any application, processing, or other fee for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative.
(f)The mortgage servicer shall not collect any late fees for periods during which a complete first lien loan modification application is under consideration or a denial is being appealed, the borrower is making timely modification payments, or a foreclosure prevention alternative is being evaluated or exercised.
(g)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of that borrowers loan is transferred or sold to another mortgage servicer, the subsequent mortgage servicer shall continue to honor any previously approved first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, in accordance with the provisions of the act that added this section.
(h)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(i)This section shall not apply to entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 4.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code, as added by Section 14 of Chapter 87 of the Statutes of 2012, is repealed.2924.11.(a)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing prior to the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(b)If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved in writing after the recordation of a notice of default, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of sale or conduct a trustees sale under either of the following circumstances:
(1)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(2)A foreclosure prevention alternative has been approved in writing by all parties, including, for example, the first lien investor, junior lienholder, and mortgage insurer, as applicable, and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the servicer.
(c)When a borrower accepts an offered first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall provide the borrower with a copy of the fully executed loan modification agreement or agreement evidencing the foreclosure prevention alternative following receipt of the executed copy from the borrower.
(d)A mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustees sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative. In the case of a short sale, the rescission or cancellation of the pending trustees sale shall occur when the short sale has been approved by all parties and proof of funds or financing has been provided to the mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent.
(e)The mortgage servicer shall not charge any application, processing, or other fee for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative.
(f)The mortgage servicer shall not collect any late fees for periods during which a complete first lien loan modification application is under consideration or a denial is being appealed, the borrower is making timely modification payments, or a foreclosure prevention alternative is being evaluated or exercised.
(g)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of that borrowers loan is transferred or sold to another mortgage servicer, the subsequent mortgage servicer shall continue to honor any previously approved first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, in accordance with the provisions of the act that added this section.
(h)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(i)This section shall not apply to entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(j) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute, that is enacted before January 1, 2018, deletes or extends that date.
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Date
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Status
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|---|---|
| May 17, 2016 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 22, 2016 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 170, Statutes of 2016. |
| Aug 22, 2016 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Aug 10, 2016 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 10 a.m. |
| Aug 4, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 75. Noes 1. Page 5705.) Ordered to the Senate. |
| Aug 4, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. Ordered to the Senate. |
| Aug 4, 2016 | In Senate. Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Jun 22, 2016 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| Jun 21, 2016 | From committee: Do pass. (Ayes 10. Noes 0.) (June 21). |
| Jun 6, 2016 | Referred to Com. on JUD. |
| May 26, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| May 26, 2016 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 3957.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| May 26, 2016 | In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. |
| Feb 10, 2016 | Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. |
| May 16, 2016 | Read third time and amended. |
| May 16, 2016 | Ordered to second reading. |
| May 10, 2016 | Read second time. Ordered to third reading. |
| May 9, 2016 | Withdrawn from committee. |
| May 9, 2016 | Ordered to second reading. |
| May 3, 2016 | Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS. |
| May 2, 2016 | From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on RLS. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0.) (April 26). |
| May 2, 2016 | From committee: Do pass as amended and re-refer to Com. on RLS. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 3700.) (April 26). |
| Apr 14, 2016 | Set for hearing April 26. |
| Mar 28, 2016 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on JUD. |
| Feb 18, 2016 | Referred to Coms. on JUD. and RLS. |
| Feb 11, 2016 | From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 12. |
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Date
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Description
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Location
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Votes
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 4, 2016 | SB 983 Morrell Senate Third Reading By WAGNER | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 21, 2016 | Do pass. | Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
|
| May 26, 2016 | Senate 3rd Reading SB983 Morrell | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 26, 2016 | Do pass as amended, but first amend, and re-refer to the Committee on [Rules] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
This list shows positions taken on this bill by organizations on the date displayed, which is linked to the original source.
Positions by individuals are not included.
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Organization
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Position
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Date
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|---|---|---|
| California Advocates on behalf of the United Trustees Association | * Support | Jun 21, 2016 |
| United Trustees Association | ** Support | Jun 21, 2016 |
SENATE THIRD READING
STR Bill Id:SB 983
Author:(Morrell)
As Amended Ver:May 16, 2016
Majority vote
SENATE VOTE: 39-0
Committee | Votes | Ayes | Noes |
Judiciary | 10-0 | Mark Stone, Wagner, Alejo, Chau, Chiu, Gallagher, Cristina Garcia, Holden, Maienschein, Ting |
SUMMARY: Increases by a total of $50 the statutory base fees that a trustee is allowed to charge for carrying out his or her duties in executing the nonjudicial foreclosure process. Specifically, this bill:
- Increases the base amount in the trustee's or attorney's fee that may be charged during the nonjudicial foreclosure process or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, from $300 to $350 if the unpaid principal sum of the loan is $150,000 or less, or from $250 to $300 if the unpaid principal sum of the loan exceeds $150,000.
- Increases the base amount in the trustee's or attorney's fee that may be charged for executing the trustee sale of the property through the nonjudicial foreclosure process, from $425 to $475 if the unpaid principal sum of the loan is $150,000 or less, or from $360 to $410 if the unpaid principal sum of the loan exceeds $150,000.
- Eliminates an unnecessary reference to rescission of a pending trustee's sale, and makes other clarifying and technical changes.
FISCAL EFFECT: None.
COMMENTS: This bill, sponsored by the United Trustees' Association, seeks a modest $50 increase to the base fees that trustees are allowed to charge for carrying out their duties in executing the nonjudicial foreclosure process. According to the author:
The purpose of SB 983 is to permit nonjudicial foreclosure trustees to regain a modest percentage of purchasing power eroded due to the effects of cost of living increases since the last increases authorized in 2001, by providing $50 dollar increases in base trustees' fees contained in Civil Code sections 2924c and 2924d. The bill makes no changes in the formulas establishing additions to the base fees based upon percentages on unpaid principal balances. ...These fees have not been increased since 2001 (effective January 1, 2002). Like all businesses, trustees have seen cost increases in the past 15 years, and we believe that modest increases in these fees are appropriate at this time.
Background on Non-Judicial Foreclosure. Non-judicial foreclosure (sometimes referred to as a "private trustee's sale") is the preferred method used by lenders in California to exercise the remedy of foreclosure when the loan is not repaid by the borrower according to the terms of a mortgage agreement. The procedural requirements for non-judicial foreclosure are set forth in Civil Code Sections 2924 to 2924(h). As the author notes, the procedures must be precisely complied with under existing case law because "substantial compliance" is not enough.
Ordinarily, the borrower will execute a deed of trust in favor of the lender which makes the real property the security for the loan and names someone to act as trustee. The function of this trustee under a deed of trust is either to initiate foreclosure at the lender's direction in the event of a breach, or to reconvey the trust deed once the obligation has been satisfied in full. The trustee initiates the foreclosure process by preparing, executing, and recording the Notice of Default. For the next three months, there is a redemption period in which the borrower may attempt to cure the default. If the borrower were unsuccessful, a Notice of Sale would be recorded and the process would culminate in a trustee's sale where the property would be sold to the highest bidder.
The auctioneer conducts this sale as instructed by the trustee and reports the results back to the trustee. The trustee notifies the beneficiary and prepares the Trustee's Deed, which vests title in the name of the successful bidder. If there are no bids for the property that exceed the opening bid, the property reverts to the beneficiary (in this case, the bank or lender) who then takes title to the property under the Trustee's Deed. Because there is no statutory right of redemption following a non-judicial foreclosure under California law, the property at this point becomes officially "bank-owned."
Existing law specifies statutory base fee amounts and the method for calculating the total amount of those fees. Existing law, specifically Civil Code Sections 2924c and 2924d, specifies the maximum allowable fees that a trustee may receive in compensation for executing his or her duties in the nonjudicial foreclosure process. According to the author, the law permits trustees to charge a base fee based upon the unpaid principal balance of the loan, which declines as the unpaid principal amount of the loan increases. The trustee may also charge a percentage of the unpaid principal balance, which again declines as the unpaid principal balance increases. Different fees are established based upon the stage of the foreclosure: one set covers foreclosures after the recording of notices of default but prior to notices of sale; a second set applies after notices of sale but prior to trustee's sales; a third set applies upon trustee's sales. This fee differentiation is intended to compensate for additional work performed by trustees as the foreclosure moves forward. It is important to note that these fees are not cumulative: each set of fees goes away and the new fees apply as the foreclosure process unfolds.
Under current law, allowable trustee fees are capped at various stages of the foreclosure process. For foreclosure proceedings that are resolved at the Notice of Default stage, a trustee may charge no more than $300 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less. If the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, a trustee may charge $250 plus one-half of 1% of the unpaid principal sum secured between $50,000 and $150,000, plus one-quarter of 1% of the unpaid principal sum secured between $150,000 and $500,000, plus one-eighth of 1% of the unpaid principal sum secured in excess of $500,000. For foreclosure proceedings that are resolved at or after the Notice of Sale stage, a trustee may charge no more than $425 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less. If the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, a trustee may charge $360 plus 1% of the unpaid principal sum secured between $50,000 and $150,000, plus one-half of 1% of the unpaid principal sum secured between $150,000 and $500,000, plus one-quarter of 1% of the unpaid principal sum secured in excess of $500,000.
This bill provides for a modest increase in the allowable base fees trustees may charge for executing the nonjudicial foreclosure process. This bill would increase each of the four base fee amounts, described above, by $50 (i.e. $300 to $350, $250 to $300, $425 to $475, and $360 to $410.) The author notes that these amounts represent the maximum permissible base fee amounts – trustees may impose fees that are less than these maximum amounts if they choose.
The current trustee rate structure became effective January 1, 2002, as enacted by SB 958 (Ackerman), Chapter 438, Statutes of 2001, and has not been increased in the 14 years since then. Committee staff notes that the cost of living, according to the California consumer price index (CPI), has increased by approximately 34% since 2002, the last year the trustee fees were adjusted. By contrast, the $50 fee increase proposed by this bill is substantially lower than the amount that would be allowed if the increase were based strictly on the California CPI. For example, this bill raises the $425 base fee to $475, an increase of 11.7%. If the $425 base fee were increased based on CPI alone (i.e. at a 34% rate), then the fee amount would be increased by $145.17 (instead of $50), to a total of $570.17 (instead of the proposed $475).
Staff also notes that while a consumer who seeks to redeem a property through non-judicial foreclosure would have to pay the trustee the increased base rate as part of the redemption process. However, the $50 increase almost assuredly will not comprise a significant part of the redemption price. For all of these reasons, the fee increases proposed under this bill seem to represent a modest and reasonable adjustment in the fees that trustees are authorized to charge for their duties in this process.
Analysis Prepared by: Anthony Lew / JUD. / (916) 319-2334 FN: 0003503
Date of Hearing: June 21, 2016
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Mark Stone, Chair
SBPCA Bill Id:SB 983
Author:(Morrell) – As Amended Ver:May 16, 2016
SENATE VOTE: 39-0
SUBJECT: MORTGAGES AND DEEDS OF TRUST: TRUSTEE FEES
KEY ISSUE: SHOULD THE statutory BASE FEES that A TRUSTEE MAY CHARGE FOR CONDUCTING THE NONJUDICIAL FORECLOSURE PROCESS BE INCREASED BY $50—the first such increase since 2002?
SYNOPSIS
This bill, sponsored by the United Trustees' Association, seeks a modest $50 increase to four base fee amounts that trustees are allowed to charge for carrying out their duties in executing the nonjudicial foreclosure process. The author notes that these particular fees have been capped at their current levels since 2002 and have not been increased in the 14 years since then, despite a corresponding increase of 34% in the California CPI. By contrast, the $50 increase in fees proposed by this bill represents an increase ranging from 12% to 20% of the four different base amounts—in every case, substantially lower than the 34% increase that would have been imposed if the increase were based strictly on the increase in the California CPI since 2002. Given the far greater increases in the costs of housing and size of home loans since 2002, the $50 fee increase seems modest and not unreasonable. After being significantly reduced in scope by amendments taken in the Senate Judiciary Committee, this bill was approved unanimously by the Senate and has no known opposition.
SUMMARY: Increases by a total of $50 the statutory base fees that a trustee is allowed to charge for carrying out his or her duties in executing the nonjudicial foreclosure process—a 12% to 20% increase in the fees, depending on the unpaid sum of the loan. Specifically, this bill:
- Increases the base amount in the trustee's or attorney's fee that may be charged during the nonjudicial foreclosure process or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, from $300 to $350 if the unpaid principal sum of the loan is $150,000 or less, or from $250 to $300 if the unpaid principal sum of the loan exceeds $150,000.
- Increases the base amount in the trustee's or attorney's fee that may be charged for executing the trustee sale of the property through the nonjudicial foreclosure process, from $425 to $475 if the unpaid principal sum of the loan is $150,000 or less, or from $360 to $410 if the unpaid principal sum of the loan exceeds $150,000.
- Eliminates an unnecessary reference to rescission of a pending trustee's sale, and makes other clarifying and technical changes.
EXISTING LAW:
- Provides that trustee’s or attorney’s fees which may be charged during the non-judicial foreclosure process or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor or at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, shall not exceed $300 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less, or $250 if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, plus a specified percentage of the unpaid principal sum. (Civil Code Section 2924c. All further references are to this code unless otherwise stated.)
- Provides that commencing with the date that the notice of sale is deposited in the mail and until the property is sold pursuant to the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust, a beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee may demand and receive from a trustor or mortgagor reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation, as specified, and trustee’s or attorney’s fees in an amount that does not exceed $425 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less, or $360 if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, plus a specified percentage of the unpaid principal sum. (Section 2924d.)
- Requires a mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent to record a rescission of a notice of default or cancel a pending trustee sale, if applicable, upon the borrower executing a permanent foreclosure prevention alternative, and then, in the case of a short sale, requires the rescission or cancellation of the pending trustee’s sale to occur when the short sale has been approved and proof of funds or financing has been provided, as specified. (Section 2924.11 (f).)
FISCAL EFFECT: As currently in print this bill is keyed non-fiscal.
COMMENTS: This bill, sponsored by the United Trustees' Association, seeks a modest $50 increase to the base fees that trustees are allowed to charge for carrying out their duties in executing the nonjudicial foreclosure process. According to the author:
The purpose of SB 983 is to permit nonjudicial foreclosure trustees to regain a modest percentage of purchasing power eroded due to the effects of cost of living increases since the last increases authorized in 2001, by providing $50 dollar increases in base trustees' fees contained in Civil Code sections 2924c and 2924d. The bill makes no changes in the formulas establishing additions to the base fees based upon percentages on unpaid principal balances. . . These fees have not been increased since 2001 (effective January 1, 2002). Like all businesses, trustees have seen cost increases in the past 15 years, and we believe that modest increases in these fees are appropriate at this time.
Background on Non-Judicial Foreclosure. Non-judicial foreclosure (sometimes referred to as a "private trustee's sale") is the preferred method used by lenders in California to exercise the remedy of foreclosure when the loan is not repaid by the borrower according to the terms of a mortgage agreement. The procedural requirements for non-judicial foreclosure are set forth in Civil Code Sections 2924 to 2924 (h). As the author notes, the procedures must be precisely complied with under existing case law because "substantial compliance" is not enough.
Ordinarily, the borrower will execute a deed of trust in favor of the lender which makes the real property the security for the loan and names someone to act as trustee. The function of this trustee under a deed of trust is either to initiate foreclosure at the lender's direction in the event of a breach, or to reconvey the trust deed once the obligation has been satisfied in full. The trustee initiates the foreclosure process by preparing, executing, and recording the Notice of Default. For the next three months, there is a redemption period in which the borrower may attempt to cure the default. If the borrower were unsuccessful, a Notice of Sale would be recorded and the process would culminate in a trustee’s sale where the property would be sold to the highest bidder.
The auctioneer conducts this sale as instructed by the trustee and reports the results back to the trustee. The trustee notifies the beneficiary and prepares the Trustee's Deed, which vests title inthe name of the successful bidder. If there are no bids for the property that exceed the opening bid, the property reverts to the beneficiary (in this case, the bank or lender) who then takes title to the property under the Trustee's Deed. Because there is no statutory right of redemption following a non-judicial foreclosure under California law, the property at this point becomes officially “bank-owned.”
Existing law specifies statutory base fee amounts and the method for calculating the total amount of those fees. Existing law, specifically Civil Code Sections 2924c and 2924d, specifies the maximum allowable fees that a trustee may receive in compensation for executing his or her duties in the nonjudicial foreclosure process. According to the author, the law permits trustees to charge a base fee based upon the unpaid principal balance of the loan, which declines as the unpaid principal amount of the loan increases. The trustee may also charge a percentage of the unpaid principal balance, which again declines as the unpaid principal balance increases. Different fees are established based upon the stage of the foreclosure: one set covers foreclosures after the recording of notices of default but prior to notices of sale; a second set applies after notices of sale but prior to trustee’s sales; a third set applies upon trustee’s sales. This fee differentiation is intended to compensate for additional work performed by trustees as the foreclosure moves forward. It is important to note that these fees are not cumulative: each set of fees goes away and the new fees apply as the foreclosure process unfolds.
Under current law, allowable trustee fees are capped at various stages of the foreclosure process. For foreclosure proceedings that are resolved at the Notice of Default stage, a trustee may charge no more than $300 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less. If the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, a trustee may charge $250 plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured between $50,000 and $150,000, plus one-quarter of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured between $150,000 and $500,000, plus one-eighth of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured in excess of $500,000. For foreclosure proceedings that are resolved at or after the Notice of Sale stage, a trustee may charge no more than $425 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less. If the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, a trustee may charge $360 plus 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured between $50,000 and $150,000, plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured between $150,000 and $500,000, plus one-quarter of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured in excess of $500,000.
This bill provides for a modest increase in the allowable base fees trustees may charge for executing the nonjudicial foreclosure process. This bill would increase each of the four base fee amounts, described above, by $50 (i.e. $300 to $350, $250 to $300, $425 to $475, and $360 to $410.) The author notes that these amounts represent the maximum permissible base fee amounts—trustees may impose fees that are less than these maximum amounts if they choose.
The current trustee rate structure became effective January 1, 2002, as enacted by SB 958 (Ackerman), Ch. 438, Stats. 2001, and has not been increased in the 14 years since then. Committee staff notes that the cost of living, according to the California CPI, has increased by approximately 34 percent since 2002, the last year the trustee fees were adjusted. By contrast, the $50 fee increase proposed by this bill is substantially lower than the amount that would be allowed if the increase were based strictly on the California CPI. For example, this bill raises the $425 base fee to $475, an increase of 11.7%. If the $425 base fee were increased based on CPI alone (i.e. at a 34% rate), then the fee amount would be increased by $145.17 (instead of $50), to a total of $570.17 (instead of the proposed $475).
Staff also notes that while a consumer who seeks to redeem a property through non-judicial foreclosure would have to pay the trustee the increased base rate as part of the redemption process. However, the $50 increase almost assuredly will not comprise a significant part of the redemption price. For all of these reasons, the fee increases proposed under this bill seem to represent a modest and reasonable adjustment in the fees that trustees are authorized to charge for their duties in this process.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
United Trustees Association
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Anthony Lew / JUD. / (916) 319-2334
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SB |
THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 983
:
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: 7-0, 4/26/16
AYES: Jackson, Moorlach, Anderson, Hertzberg, Leno, Monning, Wieckowski
SOURCE: United Trustee’s Association
DIGEST: This bill increases the statutory base rate trustees may charge at various stages in the non-judicial foreclosure process, and makes other clarifying and technical changes to existing law.
Senate Floor Amendments of 5/16/16 strike a provision that states, in limited circumstances, that a trustee is not the legal owner of property for purposes of the duty to maintain such property.
Existing law:
- Regulates the non-judicial foreclosure of properties pursuant to a power of sale clause contained within a mortgage contract. To commence the process, existing law requires the trustee, mortgagee, or beneficiary to record a Notice of Default and allow three months to lapse before setting a date for sale of the property. (Civ. Code Secs. 2924.)
- Provides that trustee’s or attorney’s fees which may be charged during the non-judicial foreclosure process or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor or at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, shall not exceed $300 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less, or $250 if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, plus a specified percentage of the unpaid principal sum. (Civ. Code Sec. 2924c.)
- States that commencing with the date that the notice of sale is deposited in the mail and until the property is sold pursuant to the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust, a beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee may demand and receive from a trustor or mortgagor reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation, as specified, and trustee’s or attorney’s fees in an amount that does not exceed $425 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less, or $360 if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, plus a specified percentage of the unpaid principal sum. (Civ. Code Sec. 2924d.)
This bill:
- Increases the base amount of trustee’s or attorney’s fees that may be charged pursuant to the above provisions by $50, resulting in new base fees of $350 and $300, and $475 and $410, respectively.
- Makes other technical and clarifying changes to existing law.
Background
In California, homes are typically purchased with a loan secured by a deed of trust against the subject property. A trustee holds legal title to the property in trust for the beneficiary, which is often the lender. Should the borrower (trustor) fail to meet his or her obligations under the loan, the trustee through a power of sale clause in the deed of trust can commence foreclosure, wherein the property is typically put up for auction by the trustee and title transfers to the highest bidder.
Foreclosures in California are generally non-judicial, meaning that they are accomplished without court involvement. The first step in the non-judicial foreclosure process is the filing of a Notice of Default, which generally occurs after three or more months of delinquency. The foreclosing entity, typically the trustee, must then generally wait at least three months before noticing the sale of the property, which is posted, published, and filed with the county recorder. Existing law requires a foreclosing entity to provide borrowers with a copy of the recorded Notice of Default that includes a summary of the notice, and similarly, a copy of a recorded Notice of Sale that also includes a summary.
During non-judicial foreclosure, existing law places certain duties on trustees and beneficiaries to maintain vacant properties, governs how trustee sales may be conducted, and limits the compensation rate trustees may charge. This bill increases the statutory base rate trustees may charge at various stages in the non-judicial foreclosure process, and makes other clarifying and technical changes to existing law.
Comments
The author writes:
When a borrower defaults in the payment of a real estate loan, California law provides lenders with two main remedies to recover the property: judicial and nonjudicial foreclosures. Judicial foreclosures require court action and are quite rare. Nearly every foreclosure in California is nonjudicial. Because courts are not involved, California law is extremely precise in prescribing foreclosure procedures. The entire process is provided in the Civil Code.
In order to obtain a real estate loan in California, a borrower executes a “deed of trust” (commonly referred to as a mortgage) in favor of the lender. Technically, the deed of trust transfers bare legal title to the trustee, a third party with only two duties: re-convey the deed of trust if the loan is paid off, and commence foreclosure if the borrower defaults. Trustees perform these functions in strict accordance with the Civil Code.
SB 983 addresses certain issues relating to nonjudicial foreclosures by trustees. Current provisions of the Civil Code prescribe maximum trustee’s fees for conducting foreclosures. The law provides base fees with additional percentages based upon the size of the loan in default. These base fees have not been increased since 2001. SB 983 provides for modest increases in the base fees, amounting to less than one percent per year since the last increase.
Related/Prior Legislation
SB 4 (Calderon, et al., Chapter 229, Statutes of 2011) required, among other things, that a notice of sale given pursuant to a deed of trust or mortgage secured by real property contain language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding on property at a trustee’s sale, as well as a notice to the property owner informing the owner about how to obtain information regarding any postponement of the sale.
SB 1137 (Perata, et al., Chapter 69, Statutes of 2008) enacted several changes to the procedures that must be followed before the holder of a mortgage may issue a notice of default or notice of trustee sale, required the holder of a mortgage to mail a specified notice to the tenant(s) of a property on which foreclosure proceedings have begun, and imposed penalties on property owners who failed to adequately maintain foreclosed properties, as specified.
SB 958 (Ackerman, Chapter 438, Statutes of 2001) implemented the current maximum levels of compensation a trustee may receive for executing the non-judicial foreclosure process.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
United Trustee’s Association (source)
OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/16/16)
None received
5/18/16 16:27:53
**** END ****
Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SB |
THIRD READING
Bill No: SB 983
:
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: 7-0, 4/26/16
AYES: Jackson, Moorlach, Anderson, Hertzberg, Leno, Monning, Wieckowski
SOURCE: United Trustee’s Association
DIGEST: This bill increases the statutory base rate trustees may charge at various stages in the non-judicial foreclosure process, states, in limited circumstances, that a trustee is not the legal owner of property for purposes of the duty to maintain such property, and makes other clarifying and technical changes.
Existing law:
- Regulates the non-judicial foreclosure of properties pursuant to a power of sale clause contained within a mortgage contract. To commence the process, existing law requires the trustee, mortgagee, or beneficiary to record a Notice of Default and allow three months to lapse before setting a date for sale of the property. (Civ. Code Secs. 2924.)
- Provides that trustee’s or attorney’s fees which may be charged during the non-judicial foreclosure process or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor or at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, shall not exceed $300 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less, or $250 if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, plus a specified percentage of the unpaid principal sum. (Civ. Code Sec. 2924c.)
- States that commencing with the date that the notice of sale is deposited in the mail and until the property is sold pursuant to the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust, a beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee may demand and receive from a trustor or mortgagor reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation, as specified, and trustee’s or attorney’s fees in an amount that does not exceed $425 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less, or $360 if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, plus a specified percentage of the unpaid principal sum. (Civ. Code Sec. 2924d.)
This bill:
- Increases the base amount of trustee’s or attorney’s fees that may be charged pursuant to the above provisions by $50, resulting in new base fees of $350 and $300, and $475 and $410, respectively.
- States that a trustee named in a recorded substitution of trustee shall not be a legal owner for purposes of any duty to maintain or register a property subject to foreclosure.
- Makes other technical and clarifying changes to existing law.
Background
In California, homes are typically purchased with a loan secured by a deed of trust against the subject property. A trustee holds legal title to the property in trust for the beneficiary, which is often the lender. Should the borrower (trustor) fail to meet his or her obligations under the loan, the trustee through a power of sale clause in the deed of trust can commence foreclosure, wherein the property is typically put up for auction by the trustee and title transfers to the highest bidder.
Foreclosures in California are generally non-judicial, meaning that they are accomplished without court involvement. The first step in the non-judicial foreclosure process is the filing of a Notice of Default, which generally occurs after three or more months of delinquency. The foreclosing entity, typically the trustee, must then generally wait at least three months before noticing the sale of the property, which is posted, published, and filed with the county recorder. Existing law requires a foreclosing entity to provide borrowers with a copy of the recorded Notice of Default that includes a summary of the notice, and similarly, a copy of a recorded Notice of Sale that also includes a summary.
During non-judicial foreclosure, existing law places certain duties on trustees and beneficiaries to maintain vacant properties, governs how trustee sales may be conducted, and limits the compensation rate trustees may charge. This bill states, in limited circumstances, that a trustee is not the legal owner of property for purposes of the duty to maintain such property, increases the statutory base rate trustees may charge at various stages in the non-judicial foreclosure process, and makes other clarifying and technical changes.
Comments
The author writes:
When a borrower defaults in the payment of a real estate loan, California law provides lenders with two main remedies to recover the property: judicial and nonjudicial foreclosures. Judicial foreclosures require court action and are quite rare. Nearly every foreclosure in California is nonjudicial. Because courts are not involved, California law is extremely precise in prescribing foreclosure procedures. The entire process is provided in the Civil Code.
In order to obtain a real estate loan in California, a borrower executes a “deed of trust” (commonly referred to as a mortgage) in favor of the lender. Technically, the deed of trust transfers bare legal title to the trustee, a third party with only two duties: re-convey the deed of trust if the loan is paid off, and commence foreclosure if the borrower defaults. Trustees perform these functions in strict accordance with the Civil Code.
SB 983 addresses certain issues relating to nonjudicial foreclosures by trustees. Those issues are as follows:
- Existing provisions of law require legal owners to maintain properties following foreclosure sales, in order to prevent blight. Although a trustee named in a deed of trust technically has a form of legal title to properties, they are not “owners” in any real sense. SB 983 clarifies that certain trustees are not owners for purposes of maintenance obligations.
- Current provisions of the Civil Code prescribe maximum trustee’s fees for conducting foreclosures. The law provides base fees with additional percentages based upon the size of the loan in default. These base fees have not been increased since 2001. SB 983 provides for modest increases in the base fees, amounting to less than one percent per year since the last increase.
Related/Prior Legislation
SB 4 (Calderon, et al., Chapter 229, Statutes of 2011) required, among other things, that a notice of sale given pursuant to a deed of trust or mortgage secured by real property contain language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding on property at a trustee’s sale, as well as a notice to the property owner informing the owner about how to obtain information regarding any postponement of the sale.
SB 1137 (Perata, et al., Chapter 69, Statutes of 2008) enacted several changes to the procedures that must be followed before the holder of a mortgage may issue a notice of default or notice of trustee sale, required the holder of a mortgage to mail a specified notice to the tenant(s) of a property on which foreclosure proceedings have begun, and imposed penalties on property owners who failed to adequately maintain foreclosed properties, as specified.
SB 958 (Ackerman, Chapter 438, Statutes of 2001) implemented the current maximum levels of compensation a trustee may receive for executing the non-judicial foreclosure process.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: Fiscal Com.: Local:
United Trustee’s Association (source)
OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/10/16)
None received
5/11/16 15:58:17
**** END ****
Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson, Chair
2015-2016 Regular Session
Bill No: SB 983 (Author:Morrell)
Version: March 28, 2016
Hearing Date: April 26, 2016
Fiscal: No
Urgency: No
Consultant: TH
SUBJECT
Mortgages and Deeds of Trust
DESCRIPTION
This bill would make the following changes to existing law pertaining to the non-judicial foreclosure process:
- during non-judicial foreclosure, trustees would be authorized to provide copies of notices of default listing the date of recordation, rather than an actual copy of the recorded notice of default;
- trustees would not be the legal owner of property going through the non-judicial foreclosure process for the purposes of registering or having a duty to maintain the property;
- the statutory base rate trustees may charge for executing the non-judicial foreclosure process would increase from either $250 to $300, or $300 to $350, depending on the unpaid principal sum of the loan;
- the statutory base rate trustees may charge for executing the sale of a property through non-judicial foreclosure would increase from either $360 to $410, or $425 to $475, depending on the unpaid principal sum of the loan;
- the “Notice to Bidders” provided at a trustee sale for property being auctioned would be re-worded to indicate that a bidder is bidding on the property itself rather than a lien on the property; and
- other clarifying and technical changes.
BACKGROUND
In California, homes are typically purchased with a loan secured by a deed of trust against the subject property. A trustee holds legal title to the property in trust for the beneficiary, which is often the lender. Should the borrower (trustor) fail to meet his or her obligations under the loan, the trustee through a power of sale clause in the deed of trust can commence foreclosure, wherein the property is typically put up for auction by the trustee and title transfers to the highest bidder.
Foreclosures in California are generally non-judicial, meaning that they are accomplished without court involvement. The first step in the non-judicial foreclosure process is the filing of a Notice of Default, which generally occurs after three or more months of delinquency. The foreclosing entity, typically the trustee, must then generally wait at least three months before noticing the sale of the property, which is posted, published, and filed with the county recorder. Existing law requires a foreclosing entity to provide borrowers with a copy of the recorded Notice of Default that includes a summary of the notice, and similarly, a copy of a recorded Notice of Sale that also includes a summary.
During non-judicial foreclosure, existing law places certain duties on trustees and beneficiaries to maintain vacant properties, governs how trustee sales may be conducted, and limits the compensation rate trustees may charge. This bill would alter existing law to allow trustees to provide copies of notices of default listing the date of recordation in lieu of an actual copy of the recorded notice of default, would state that a trustee is not the legal owner of property for purposes of the duty to maintain such property, would increase the statutory base rate trustees may charge at various stages in the non-judicial foreclosure process, would change the wording of an advisory provided to bidders at a trustee sale, and would make other clarifying and technical changes.
CHANGES TO EXISTING LAW
- Existing law regulates the non-judicial foreclosure of properties pursuant to a power of sale clause contained within a mortgage contract. To commence the process, existing law requires the trustee, mortgagee, or beneficiary to record a Notice of Default and allow three months to lapse before setting a date for sale of the property. (Civ. Code Secs. 2924.)
Existing law provides that with respect to residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units, a mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall provide to the mortgagor or trustor a copy of the recorded notice of default with a summary document of the notice of default, and a copy of the recorded notice of sale with a summary document of the information required to be contained in the notice of sale, as specified. (Civ. Code Sec. 2923.3.)
This bill would instead state that a mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall provide to the mortgagor or trustor a copy of the notice of default indicating the recording date with a summary document of the notice of default, and a copy of the notice of sale indicating the recording date with a summary document of the information required to be contained in the notice of sale.
- Existing law states that a legal owner shall maintain vacant residential property purchased by that owner at a foreclosure sale, or acquired by that owner through foreclosure under a mortgage or deed of trust. Existing law defines “failure to maintain” to mean failure to care for the exterior of the property, including, but not limited to, permitting excessive foliage growth that diminishes the value of surrounding properties, failing to take action to prevent trespassers or squatters from remaining on the property, or failing to take action to prevent mosquito larvae from growing in standing water, or other conditions that create a public nuisance. Existing law authorizes a governmental entity to impose a civil fine of up to $1,000 per day for a violation, as specified. (Civ. Code Sec. 2929.3.)
This bill would provide that a trustee under a deed of trust shall not be a legal owner or owner for purposes of the above provision, and shall not be responsible for any obligation or failure to maintain or register a property subject to foreclosure.
- Existing law provides that trustee’s or attorney’s fees which may be charged during the non-judicial foreclosure process or until the notice of sale is deposited in the mail to the trustor or at any time prior to the decree of foreclosure, shall not exceed $300 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less, or $250 if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, plus a specified percentage of the unpaid principal sum. (Civ. Code Sec. 2924c.)
This bill would increase the base amount that may be charged pursuant to the above provision to $350 and $300, respectively.
- Existing law states that commencing with the date that the notice of sale is deposited in the mail and until the property is sold pursuant to the power of sale contained in the mortgage or deed of trust, a beneficiary, trustee, or mortgagee may demand and receive from a trustor or mortgagor reasonable costs and expenses actually incurred in enforcing the terms of the obligation, as specified, and trustee’s or attorney’s fees in an amount that does not exceed $425 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less, or $360 if the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, plus a specified percentage of the unpaid principal sum. (Civ. Code Sec. 2924d.)
This bill would increase the base amount that may be charged pursuant to the above provision to $475 and $410, respectively.
- Existing law states that a notice of sale concerning a property undergoing non-judicial foreclosure must contain, among other things, the following statement:
NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. (Civ. Code Sec. 2924f.)
This bill would modify the above notice to state “NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction.” This bill would strike “you will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself” from the text of the notice.
COMMENT
- Stated need for the bill
According to the author:
When a borrower defaults in the payment of a real estate loan, California law provides lenders with two main remedies to recover the property: judicial and nonjudicial foreclosures. Judicial foreclosures require court action and are quite rare. Nearly every foreclosure in California is nonjudicial. Because courts are not involved, California law is extremely precise in prescribing foreclosure procedures. The entire process is provided in the Civil Code.
In order to obtain a real estate loan in California, a borrower executes a “deed of trust” (commonly referred to as a mortgage) in favor of the lender. Technically, the deed of trust transfers bare legal title to the trustee, a third party with only two duties: re-convey the deed of trust if the loan is paid off, and commence foreclosure if the borrower defaults. Trustees perform these functions in strict accordance with the Civil Code.
SB 983 addresses four issues relating to nonjudicial foreclosures by trustees. Those issues are as follows:
- The law requires trustees to provide borrowers with copies of foreclosure documents, including copies of recorded notices of default and notices of sale. After trustees record these documents, the actual recorded documents sometimes are not returned for weeks by counties. SB 983 instead requires trustees to provide copies of the documents with the recording date indicated.
- Existing Civil Code Section 2924f contains a notice to potential bidders at foreclosure sales, warning them that the loan in foreclosure may be a junior lien, making the bidder responsible for existing senior liens. There are technical inaccuracies in the notice being clarified in SB 983.
- Existing provisions of law require legal owners to maintain properties following foreclosure sales, in order to prevent blight. Although a trustee named in a deed of trust technically has a form of legal title to properties, they are not “owners” in any real sense. SB 983 clarifies that trustees are not owners for purposes of maintenance obligations.
- Current provisions of the Civil Code prescribe maximum trustee’s fees for conducting foreclosures. The law provides base fees with additional percentages based upon the size of the loan in default. These base fees have not been increased since 2001. SB 983 provides for modest increases in the base fees, amounting to less than one percent per year since the last increase.
- Providing copies of recorded documents
Foreclosures in California are generally non-judicial, meaning that they are accomplished without court involvement or oversight. This lack of judicial oversight has, in some cases, allowed fraudulent activity to occur. According to the California Department of Real Estate:
There are numerous types and scenarios of deed fraud, and they are only limited by the creativity, abilities, and tactics of the fraudsters. . . . A fraudster may forge a homeowner’s name on a quitclaim deed or another deed to a home. The deed is acknowledged and signed by a notary public (either legitimately based on false identification or illegitimately), and then recorded, effectively transferring the property to the scammer without the knowledge of the true homeowner. The bad actor then obtains a mortgage loan on the home and uses the loan proceeds for his or her own use. The loan payments are not made and the home goes into foreclosure. (Department of Real Estate, CONSUMER ALERT: What Should You Do If You Learn That a Forged and/or Fraudulent Deed Has Been Recorded Against Your Real Property? [Mar. 17, 2012].)
Recently, a California Court of Appeal found that JPMorgan Chase engaged in deed fraud when it created and recorded false documentation purportedly showing that the bank owned the mortgage of two California residents in order to foreclose on their home. (See Ben Lane, Chase’s Fraudulent Foreclosure: Court Finds for Plaintiffs (Jul. 2, 2014) <http://www.housingwire.com/articles/30540-chases-fraudulent-foreclosure-court-says-executive-falsified-documents> [as of Apr. 21, 2016].) The Legislature has responded to fraudulent activity of this type by, among other things, authorizing local government to provide copies of documents recorded against a property owner’s title directly to owners (see SB 827 [Liu, Ch. 65, Stats. 2014]), and requiring trustees to provide copies of certain recorded documents to homeowners who are going through non-judicial foreclosure (see Civ. Code Sec. 2923.3.).
This bill would authorize trustees to provide copies of notices of sale and notices of default with their date of recordation indicated in lieu of copies of documents that were actually recorded. Given the growth of deed-related fraud, many homeowners have come to rely on the endorsement of a county recorder to authenticate recorded title documents. While it does take additional time to receive copies of recorded documents, eliminating the responsibility of trustees to provide an actual copy in favor of another document indicating the date a notice was recorded may undermine confidence in California’s unsupervised non-judicial foreclosure process.
Recognizing this problem, the author offers the following amendment to strike this provision from the bill:
Author’s Amendment
On page 3, strike Section 1
- Duty to maintain vacant property
Existing law states that the “legal owner” of a property purchased at a foreclosure sale, or acquired through foreclosure under a mortgage or deed of trust has a duty to maintain that property. (Civ. Code Sec. 2929.3.) Failure to maintain a property, which includes failing to care for the exterior of the property, permitting excessive foliage growth that diminishes the value of surrounding properties, failing to take action to prevent trespassers or squatters from remaining on the property, or failing to take action to prevent mosquito larvae from growing in standing water, or other conditions that create a public nuisance, carries with it the possibility of a daily $1,000 fine. This duty of an owner to maintain foreclosed-upon properties was enacted after several localities experienced widespread blight during the height of the housing crisis. A Los Angeles Times story written during the crisis noted that “[h]ouses abandoned to foreclosure [were] beginning to breed trouble, adding neighbors to the growing ranks of victims,” and observed how:
Stagnant swimming pools spawn mosquitoes, which can carry the potentially deadly West Nile virus. Empty rooms lure squatters and vandals. And brown lawns and dead vegetation are creating eyesores in well-tended neighborhoods. (David Streitfeld, Blight Moves In After Foreclosures, Los Angeles Times <http://www.latimes.com/la-fi-vacant28aug28-story.html> [as of Apr. 21, 2016].)
Existing law does not differentiate between trustees and beneficiaries or lenders in placing the duty to maintain foreclosed property. As noted above, in California a trustee typically holds legal title to “mortgaged” properties in trust for a beneficiary, which is often the lender. Equitable title, in contrast, is held by the trustor or borrower, and title normally shifts to the beneficiary at the conclusion of the foreclosure process. While the law concerning the duty to maintain makes no differentiation between trustee and lender, in practice these parties often establish by contract which entity will be responsible for the maintenance of a property.
This bill states that, for purposes of the duty to maintain a foreclosed-upon property, a trustee shall not be considered the “legal owner” of the property. This provision would have the effect of insulating trustees from the duty to maintain such properties, and from enforcement actions brought by local governments for that failure to maintain. While it is likely the case that trustees are not typically responsible for the maintenance of vacant properties as a matter of contract, memorializing this arrangement in law removes a potentially responsible party local governments could pursue when combatting blight.
Recognizing this problem, the author offers the following amendment to strike this provision from the bill:
Author’s Amendment
On page 13, strike Section 2
- Notice to potential bidders during trustee sales
For individuals who seek to buy properties at trustee sales, the sale offers the potential for getting a good “deal” on a home, but carries significant risks if the would-be purchaser has not done extensive research on the property. Although purchasers may look at the home and its surrounding neighborhood, it is essential for them to also do a title search on the property to see if there are any other liens that are not going to be extinguished by the trustee sale. If a purchaser purchases a home subject to a senior lien, for example, the purchaser must satisfy that senior lien or face foreclosure of their junior interest by that lien. This precise scenario was described in a 2010 San Francisco Chronicle article entitled Winning Bid on Mortgage Buys Family Heartache. The Chronicle reported that:
Roberta and Randall Strand took $97,606 out of their paid-off house to buy a foreclosed home at a courthouse auction. Five months later, they found out they actually bought the second mortgage, and that the bank planned to foreclose on the first mortgage, leaving them out in the cold. The family received and recorded a “trustee’s deed upon sale” in November 2009, shortly after the auction, without realizing that they had bought a second mortgage.
. . .
“Apparently, unbeknownst to us, Wachovia sold us a worthless second mortgage that was part of a piggyback loan made to the previous owners,” Roberta Strand said. “Both loans were originated, signed and recorded on the same date. Rather than foreclose on both loans at the same time, Wachovia chose to foreclose, market and sell the worthless junior lien, purporting it to be the real property, which is what we purchased.” (Carolyn Said, Winning Bid on Mortgage Buys Family Heartache (Aug. 2, 2010) <http://www.sfgate.com/realestate/article/Winning-bid-on-mortgage-buys-family-heartache-3257031.php> [as of Apr. 21, 2016].)
Responding to events such as this, the Legislature enacted SB 4 (Calderon et. al., Ch. 229, Stats. 2011), which required consumers to be given a specific notice at a trustee sale stating:
NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS: If you are considering bidding on this property lien, you should understand that there are risks involved in bidding at a trustee auction. You will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself. Placing the highest bid at a trustee auction does not automatically entitle you to free and clear ownership of the property. You should also be aware that the lien being auctioned off may be a junior lien. If you are the highest bidder at the auction, you are or may be responsible for paying off all liens senior to the lien being auctioned off, before you can receive clear title to the property. You are encouraged to investigate the existence, priority, and size of outstanding liens that may exist on this property by contacting the county recorder’s office or a title insurance company, either of which may charge you a fee for this information. If you consult either of these resources, you should be aware that the same lender may hold more than one mortgage or deed of trust on the property.
This bill would modify the above notice to strike the sentence that reads “you will be bidding on a lien, not on the property itself,” and would change the opening sentence to state that a bid at a trustee sale would be on a property rather than a lien on a property.
When an individual places a bid at a trustee sale, they are neither bidding on a lien or on a piece of property. Rather, they are bidding to acquire certain rights to the subject property, which may ultimately result in the transfer of title and possession. Importantly, the notice provided to potential bidders by SB 4 was not intended to give legal advice. Rather, it was meant as a warning to consumers to investigate precisely what is being offered at auction before participating in the sale. Given this objective, changing the wording of the notice as proposed in this bill may undermine its efficacy.
Recognizing this problem, the author offers the following amendment to strike this provision from the bill:
Author’s Amendment
On page 25, strike Section 7
- Increase in allowable fees
Existing law limits the amount a trustee may receive in compensation for executing the non-judicial foreclosure process. Under current law, allowable trustee fees are capped at various stages of the foreclosure process. For foreclosure proceedings that are resolved at the Notice of Default stage, a trustee may charge no more than $300 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less. If the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, a trustee may charge $250 plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured between $50,000 and $150,000, plus one-quarter of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured between $150,000 and $500,000, plus one-eighth of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured in excess of $500,000. For foreclosure proceedings that are resolved at or after the Notice of Sale stage, a trustee may charge no more than $425 if the unpaid principal sum secured is $150,000 or less. If the unpaid principal sum secured exceeds $150,000, a trustee may charge $360 plus 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured between $50,000 and $150,000, plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured between $150,000 and $500,000, plus one-quarter of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured in excess of $500,000. This bill would increase each of the four authorized base rates by $50.
The current trustee rate structure was implemented in 2002 by SB 958 (Ackerman, Ch. 438, Stats. 2001) and has not been altered in the intervening 14 years. While the price of housing, and ostensibly the amounts secured by deeds of trust, have gone up in California in the intervening years, these base allowance rates have remained static. As a result, the amount trustees earn in compensation at the lower end of the tiered allowance structure has declined relative to consumer price indices. This bill would authorize a relatively minor adjustment upward for those base rates. While a consumer who seeks to redeem a property going through foreclosure would have to pay the trustee this increased base rate as part of the redemption process, the increase is not likely to comprise a significant part of the redemption price.
Support: None Known
Opposition: None Known
HISTORY
Source: United Trustee’s Association
Related Pending Legislation: None Known
Prior Legislation:
SB 4 (Calderon et. al., Ch. 229, Stats. 2011) required, among other things, that a notice of sale given pursuant to a deed of trust or mortgage secured by real property contain language notifying potential bidders of specified risks involved in bidding on property at a trustee’s sale, as well as a notice to the property owner informing the owner about how to obtain information regarding any postponement of the sale.
SB 1137 (Perata et. al., Ch. 69, Stats. 2008) enacted several changes to the procedures that must be followed before the holder of a mortgage may issue a notice of default or notice of trustee sale, required the holder of a mortgage to mail a specified notice to the tenant(s) of a property on which foreclosure proceedings have begun, and imposed penalties on property owners who failed to adequately maintain foreclosed properties, as specified.
SB 958 (Ackerman, Ch. 438, Stats. 2001) implemented the current maximum levels of compensation a trustee may receive for executing the non-judicial foreclosure process.
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Discussed in Hearing
Assembly Floor
Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary
Senate Floor
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):