SB 1146: Mortgages.
- Session Year: 2023-2024
- House: Senate
- Latest Version Date: 2024-09-25
Current Status:
Passed
(2024-09-25: Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 601, Statutes of 2024.)
Introduced
In Committee
First Chamber
In Committee
Second Chamber
Enacted
Existing law exempts from the usury limitation set forth in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution a loan or forbearance made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part on real property. Existing law provides that a loan or forbearance is arranged by a person licensed as a real estate broker when the broker takes any of specified actions, including (1) acting for compensation or in expectation of compensation for soliciting, negotiating, or arranging the loan for another, and (2) acting for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business for another and arranging a forbearance, extension, or refinancing of any loan in connection with that sale, purchase, lease, exchange of, or an improvement to, real property or a business. Existing law defines the term made or arranged to include any loan made by a person licensed as a real estate broker as a principal or as an agent for others, and whether or not the person is acting within the course and scope of such license.
This bill would include a forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan in the exception described above, as specified.
Existing law defines and regulates mortgages, including recording notices of default, applications for loan modification, foreclosure prevention alternatives, and recordation of the trustees deed upon sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage, also known as a trustees sale or foreclosure sale.
Existing law requires mortgage servicers to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Existing law exempts from these provisions certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California.
This bill would also exempt persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year from those provisions.
Existing law prohibits certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California from recording a notice of default, notice of sale, or conducting a trustees sale if the borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification, as specified.
This bill would subject persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year to those provisions.
Existing law provides that specified law only applies to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that meets either of 2 conditions: (1) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than 4 dwelling units, or (2) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by residential real property that is occupied by a tenant, that contains no more than 4 dwelling units, and that meets certain conditions.
This bill would remove the 2nd condition.
Existing law authorizes a trustor or mortgagor to cure a default in certain circumstances. Existing law requires the beneficiary or mortgagee, after a cure, to reinstate and, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice, as specified. Existing law requires the trustee to record the notice, as specified.
This bill would provide that a trustee is not required to record that notice if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is recorded, as specified.
Existing law imposes various requirements on trustees sales, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sale, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced.
This bill would require a sale to be postponed 7 calendar days at the same time and location if an act of force majeure, as defined, prevents access to the sale location for the conduct of the sale.
Existing law provides the trustee with specified rights at a trustees sale, including the right to require every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid, as specified. Existing law authorizes the trustee, in the event the trustee accepts a check or a cash equivalent, to withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right, as specified.
This bill would provide the trustee the right to require any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if that requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale. The bill would authorize the trustee to require the successful bidder to replace the check or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
Existing law provides a prospective owner-occupant and eligible tenant buyer various rights in connection with a trustees sale. Existing law provides that certain types of trustees sales are not deemed final until the earliest of various time periods, including 45 days after the trustees sale, except that during that 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit a specified bid to the trustee that meets certain requirements, including that the bid be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date, and that the bid be received by trustee by a specified date on time, except that on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee, the trustee is prohibited from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail or overnight mail.
This bill would recast that provision to prohibit the trustee, on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee pursuant to the provisions described above, from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Existing law exempts from the usury limitation set forth in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution a loan or forbearance made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part on real property. Existing law provides that a loan or forbearance is arranged by a person licensed as a real estate broker when the broker takes any of specified actions, including (1) acting for compensation or in expectation of compensation for soliciting, negotiating, or arranging the loan for another, and (2) acting for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business for another and arranging a forbearance, extension, or refinancing of any loan in connection with that sale, purchase, lease, exchange of, or an improvement to, real property or a business. Existing law defines the term made or arranged to include any loan made by a person licensed as a real estate broker as a principal or as an agent for others, and whether or not the person is acting within the course and scope of such license.
This bill would include a forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan in the exception described above, as specified.
Existing law defines and regulates mortgages, including recording notices of default, applications for loan modification, foreclosure prevention alternatives, and recordation of the trustees deed upon sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage, also known as a trustees sale or foreclosure sale.
Existing law requires mortgage servicers to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Existing law exempts from these provisions certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California.
This bill would also exempt persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year from those provisions.
Existing law prohibits certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California from recording a notice of default, notice of sale, or conducting a trustees sale if the borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification, as specified.
This bill would subject persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year to those provisions.
Existing law provides that specified law only applies to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that meets either of 2 conditions: (1) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than 4 dwelling units, or (2) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by residential real property that is occupied by a tenant, that contains no more than 4 dwelling units, and that meets certain conditions.
This bill would remove the 2nd condition.
Existing law authorizes a trustor or mortgagor to cure a default in certain circumstances. Existing law requires the beneficiary or mortgagee, after a cure, to reinstate and, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice, as specified. Existing law requires the trustee to record the notice, as specified.
This bill would provide that a trustee is not required to record that notice if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is recorded, as specified.
Existing law imposes various requirements on trustees sales, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sale, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced.
This bill would require a sale to be postponed 7 calendar days at the same time and location if an act of force majeure, as defined, prevents access to the sale location for the conduct of the sale.
Existing law provides the trustee with specified rights at a trustees sale, including the right to require every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid, as specified. Existing law authorizes the trustee, in the event the trustee accepts a check or a cash equivalent, to withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right, as specified.
This bill would provide the trustee the right to require any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if that requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale. The bill would authorize the trustee to require the successful bidder to replace the check or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
Existing law provides a prospective owner-occupant and eligible tenant buyer various rights in connection with a trustees sale. Existing law provides that certain types of trustees sales are not deemed final until the earliest of various time periods, including 45 days after the trustees sale, except that during that 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit a specified bid to the trustee that meets certain requirements, including that the bid be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date, and that the bid be received by trustee by a specified date on time, except that on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee, the trustee is prohibited from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail or overnight mail.
This bill would recast that provision to prohibit the trustee, on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee pursuant to the provisions described above, from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Existing law exempts from the usury limitation set forth in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution a loan or forbearance made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part on real property. Existing law provides that a loan or forbearance is arranged by a person licensed as a real estate broker when the broker takes any of specified actions, including (1) acting for compensation or in expectation of compensation for soliciting, negotiating, or arranging the loan for another, and (2) acting for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business for another and arranging a forbearance, extension, or refinancing of any loan in connection with that sale, purchase, lease, exchange of, or an improvement to, real property or a business. Existing law defines the term made or arranged to include any loan made by a person licensed as a real estate broker as a principal or as an agent for others, and whether or not the person is acting within the course and scope of such license.
This bill would include a forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan in the exception described above, as specified.
Existing law defines and regulates mortgages, including recording notices of default, applications for loan modification, foreclosure prevention alternatives, and recordation of the trustees deed upon sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage, also known as a trustees sale or foreclosure sale.
Existing law requires mortgage servicers to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Existing law exempts from these provisions certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California.
This bill would also exempt persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year from those provisions.
Existing law prohibits certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California from recording a notice of default, notice of sale, or conducting a trustees sale if the borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification, as specified.
This bill would subject persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year to those provisions.
Existing law provides that specified law only applies to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that meets either of 2 conditions: (1) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than 4 dwelling units, or (2) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by residential real property that is occupied by a tenant, that contains no more than 4 dwelling units, and that meets certain conditions.
This bill would remove the 2nd condition.
Existing law authorizes a trustor or mortgagor to cure a default in certain circumstances. Existing law requires the beneficiary or mortgagee, after a cure, to reinstate and, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice, as specified. Existing law requires the trustee to record the notice, as specified.
This bill would provide that a trustee is not required to record that notice if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is recorded, as specified.
Existing law imposes various requirements on trustees sales, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sale, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced.
This bill would require a sale to be postponed 7 calendar days at the same time and location if an act of force majeure, as defined, prevents access to the sale location for the conduct of the sale.
Existing law provides the trustee with specified rights at a trustees sale, including the right to require every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid, as specified. Existing law authorizes the trustee, in the event the trustee accepts a check or a cash equivalent, to withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right, as specified.
This bill would provide the trustee the right to require any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if that requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale. The bill would authorize the trustee to require the successful bidder to replace the check or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
Existing law provides a prospective owner-occupant and eligible tenant buyer various rights in connection with a trustees sale. Existing law provides that certain types of trustees sales are not deemed final until the earliest of various time periods, including 45 days after the trustees sale, except that during that 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit a specified bid to the trustee that meets certain requirements, including that the bid be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date, and that the bid be received by trustee by a specified date on time, except that on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee, the trustee is prohibited from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail or overnight mail.
This bill would recast that provision to prohibit the trustee, on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee pursuant to the provisions described above, from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Existing law exempts from the usury limitation set forth in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution a loan or forbearance made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part on real property. Existing law provides that a loan or forbearance is arranged by a person licensed as a real estate broker when the broker takes any of specified actions, including (1) acting for compensation or in expectation of compensation for soliciting, negotiating, or arranging the loan for another, and (2) acting for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business for another and arranging a forbearance, extension, or refinancing of any loan in connection with that sale, purchase, lease, exchange of, or an improvement to, real property or a business. Existing law defines the term made or arranged to include any loan made by a person licensed as a real estate broker as a principal or as an agent for others, and whether or not the person is acting within the course and scope of such license.
This bill would include a forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan in the exception described above, as specified.
Existing law defines and regulates mortgages, including recording notices of default, applications for loan modification, foreclosure prevention alternatives, and recordation of the trustees deed upon sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage, also known as a trustees sale or foreclosure sale.
Existing law requires mortgage servicers to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Existing law exempts from these provisions certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California.
This bill would also exempt persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year from those provisions.
Existing law prohibits certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California from recording a notice of default, notice of sale, or conducting a trustees sale if the borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification, as specified.
This bill would subject persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year to those provisions.
Existing law provides that specified law only applies to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that meets either of 2 conditions: (1) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than 4 dwelling units, or (2) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by residential real property that is occupied by a tenant, that contains no more than 4 dwelling units, and that meets certain conditions.
This bill would remove the 2nd condition.
Existing law authorizes a trustor or mortgagor to cure a default in certain circumstances. Existing law requires the beneficiary or mortgagee, after a cure, to reinstate and, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice, as specified. Existing law requires the trustee to record the notice, as specified.
This bill would provide that a trustee is not required to record that notice if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is recorded, as specified.
Existing law imposes various requirements on trustees sales, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sale, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced.
This bill would require a sale to be postponed 7 calendar days at the same time and location if an act of force majeure, as defined, prevents access to the sale location for the conduct of the sale.
Existing law provides the trustee with specified rights at a trustees sale, including the right to require every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid, as specified. Existing law authorizes the trustee, in the event the trustee accepts a check or a cash equivalent, to withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right, as specified.
This bill would provide the trustee the right to require any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if that requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale. The bill would authorize the trustee to require the successful bidder to replace the check or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
Existing law provides a prospective owner-occupant and eligible tenant buyer various rights in connection with a trustees sale. Existing law provides that certain types of trustees sales are not deemed final until the earliest of various time periods, including 45 days after the trustees sale, except that during that 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit a specified bid to the trustee that meets certain requirements, including that the bid be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date, and that the bid be received by trustee by a specified date on time, except that on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee, the trustee is prohibited from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail or overnight mail.
This bill would recast that provision to prohibit the trustee, on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee pursuant to the provisions described above, from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Existing law defines and regulates mortgages, including recording notices of default, applications for loan modification, foreclosure prevention alternatives, and recordation of the trustees deed upon sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage, also known as a trustees sale or foreclosure sale.
Existing law requires mortgage servicers to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Existing law exempts from these provisions certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California.
This bill would also exempt persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year from those provisions.
Existing law prohibits certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California from recording a notice of default, notice of sale, or conducting a trustees sale if the borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification, as specified.
This bill would subject persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year to those provisions.
Existing law provides that specified law only applies to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that meets either of 2 conditions: (1) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than 4 dwelling units, or (2) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by residential real property that is occupied by a tenant, that contains no more than 4 dwelling units, and that meets certain conditions.
This bill would remove the 2nd condition.
Existing law authorizes a trustor or mortgagor to cure a default in certain circumstances. Existing law requires the beneficiary or mortgagee, after a cure, to reinstate and, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice, as specified. Existing law requires the trustee to record the notice, as specified.
This bill would provide that a trustee is not required to record that notice if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is recorded, as specified.
Existing law imposes various requirements on trustees sales, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sale, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced.
This bill would require a sale to be postponed to the next business day 7 calendar days at the same time and location if an act of force majeure, as defined, prevents access to the sale location for the conduct of the sale.
Existing law provides the trustee with specified rights at a trustees sale, including the right to require every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid, as specified. Existing law authorizes the trustee, in the event the trustee accepts a check or a cash equivalent, to withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right, as specified.
This bill would provide the trustee the right to require any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if that requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale. The bill would authorize the trustee to require the successful bidder to replace the check or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
Existing law provides a prospective owner-occupant and eligible tenant buyer various rights in connection with a trustees sale. Existing law provides that certain types of trustees sales are not deemed final until the earliest of various time periods, including 45 days after the trustees sale, except that during that 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit a specified bid to the trustee that meets certain requirements, including that the bid be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date, and that the bid be received by trustee by a specified date on time, except that on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee, the trustee is prohibited from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail or overnight mail.
This bill would recast that provision to prohibit the trustee, on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee pursuant to the provisions described above, from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Existing law defines and regulates mortgages, including recording notices of default, applications for loan modification, foreclosure prevention alternatives, and recordation of the trustees deed upon sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage, also known as a trustees sale or foreclosure sale. Existing law provides that some of these provisions do or do not apply to specified entities.
This bill would provide that those provisions also do not apply to persons exempt from being licensed under the California Financing Law, the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or the Real Estate Law.Existing law requires mortgage servicers to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Existing law exempts from these provisions certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California.
This bill would also exempt persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year from those provisions.
Existing law prohibits certain entities and persons that, during their immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with their primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 of fewer residential real properties, containing no more than 4 dwelling units, that are located in California from recording a notice of default, notice of sale, or conducting a trustees sale if the borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification, as specified.
This bill would subject persons or entities that make and service 7 or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year to those provisions.
Existing law provides that specified law only applies to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that meets either of 2 conditions: (1) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than 4 dwelling units, or (2) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by residential real property that is occupied by a tenant, that contains no more than 4 dwelling units, and that meets certain conditions.
This bill would remove the 2nd condition.
Existing law authorizes a trustor or mortgagor to cure a default in certain circumstances. Existing law requires the beneficiary or mortgagee, after a cure, to reinstate and, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice, as specified. Existing law requires the trustee to record the notice, as specified.
This bill would provide that a trustee is not required to record that notice if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is recorded, as specified.
Existing law imposes various requirements on trustees sales, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sale, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced.
This bill would require a sale to be postponed to the next business day at the same time and location if an act of force majeure, as defined, prevents access to the sale location for the conduct of the sale.
Existing law provides the trustee with specified rights at a trustees sale, including the right to require every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid, as specified. Existing law authorizes the trustee, in the event the trustee accepts a check or a cash equivalent, to withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right, as specified.
This bill would provide the trustee the right to require any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if that requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale. The bill would authorize the trustee to require the successful bidder to replace the check or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
Existing law provides a prospective owner-occupant and eligible tenant buyer various rights in connection with a trustees sale. Existing law provides that certain types of trustees sales are not deemed final until the earliest of various time periods, including 45 days after the trustees sale, except that during that 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit a specified bid to the trustee that meets certain requirements, including that the bid be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date, and that the bid be received by trustee by a specified date on time, except that on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee, the trustee is prohibited from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail or overnight mail.
This bill would recast that provision to prohibit the trustee, on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee pursuant to the provisions described above, from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Existing law defines and regulates mortgages, including recording notices of default, applications for loan modification, foreclosure prevention alternatives, and recordation of the trustees deed upon sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage, also known as a trustees sale or foreclosure sale. Existing law provides that some of these provisions do or do not apply to specified entities.
This bill would provide that those provisions also do not apply to persons exempt from being licensed under the California Financing Law, the California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or the Real Estate Law.
Existing law provides that specified law only applies to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that meets either of 2 conditions: (1) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than 4 dwelling units, or (2) the first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by residential real property that is occupied by a tenant, that contains no more than 4 dwelling units, and that meets certain conditions.
This bill would remove the 2nd condition.
Existing law authorizes a trustor or mortgagor to cure a default in certain circumstances. Existing law requires the beneficiary or mortgagee, after a cure, to reinstate and, within 21 days following the reinstatement, execute and deliver to the trustee a notice, as specified. Existing law requires the trustee to record the notice, as specified.
This bill would provide that a trustee is not required to record that notice if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is recorded, as specified.
Existing law imposes various requirements on trustees sales, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sale, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced.
This bill would require a sale to be postponed to the next business day at the same time and location if an act of force majeure, as defined, prevents access to the sale location for the conduct of the sale.
Existing law provides the trustee with specified rights at a trustees sale, including the right to require every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid, as specified. Existing law authorizes the trustee, in the event the trustee accepts a check or a cash equivalent, to withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right, as specified.
This bill would provide the trustee the right to require any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if that requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale. The bill would authorize the trustee to require the successful bidder to replace the check or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
Existing law provides a prospective owner-occupant and eligible tenant buyer various rights in connection with a trustees sale. Existing law provides that certain types of trustees sales are not deemed final until the earliest of various time periods, including 45 days after the trustees sale, except that during that 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit a specified bid to the trustee that meets certain requirements, including that the bid be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date, and that the bid be received by trustee by a specified date on time, except that on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee, the trustee is prohibited from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail or overnight mail.
This bill would recast that provision to prohibit the trustee, on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee pursuant to the provisions described above, from receiving any bid not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
The restrictions upon rates of interest contained in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution shall not apply to any loan, or any forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part by liens on real property. For purposes of this section, a loan, or forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, is arranged by a person licensed as a real estate broker when a broker (1) acts for compensation or in expectation of compensation for soliciting, negotiating, or arranging the loan, or forbearance, extension, or modification of the loan, for another, (2) acts for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business for another and (A) arranges a loan to pay all or any portion of the purchase price of, or of an improvement to, that property or business or (B) arranges a forbearance, extension, modification, or refinancing of any loan in connection with that sale, purchase, lease, exchange of, or an improvement to, real property or a business, or (3) arranges or negotiates for another a forbearance, extension, modification, or refinancing of any loan secured by real property in connection with a past transaction in which a broker had acted for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business. The term made or arranged includes any loan, or any forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, made by a person licensed as a real estate broker as a principal or as an agent for others, and whether or not the person is acting within the course and scope of such license.
SEC. 2.Section 2923.7 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2923.7.(a)When a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall promptly establish a single point of contact and provide to the borrower one or more direct means of communication with the single point of contact.
(b)The single point of contact shall be responsible for doing all of the following:
(1)Communicating the process by which a borrower may apply for an available foreclosure prevention alternative and the deadline for any required submissions to be considered for these options.
(2)Coordinating receipt of all documents associated with available foreclosure prevention alternatives and notifying the borrower of any missing documents necessary to complete the application.
(3)Having access to current information and personnel sufficient to timely, accurately, and adequately inform the borrower of the current status of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
(4)Ensuring that a borrower is considered for all foreclosure prevention alternatives offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer, if any.
(5)Having access to individuals with the ability and authority to stop foreclosure proceedings when necessary.
(c)The single point of contact shall remain assigned to the borrowers account until the mortgage servicer determines that all loss mitigation options offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer have been exhausted or the borrowers account becomes current.
(d)The mortgage servicer shall ensure that a single point of contact refers and transfers a borrower to an appropriate supervisor upon request of the borrower, if the single point of contact has a supervisor.
(e)For purposes of this section, single point of contact means an individual or team of personnel each of whom has the ability and authority to perform the responsibilities described in subdivisions (b) to (d), inclusive. The mortgage servicer shall ensure that each member of the team is knowledgeable about the borrowers situation and current status in the alternatives to foreclosure process.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(g)(1)This section shall not apply to either of the following:
(A)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(B)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(2)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to this section, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
SEC. 3.Section 2924.15 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.15.(a)Unless otherwise provided, paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 2924 and Sections 2923.5, 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.18 shall apply only to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units.
(b)For purposes of this section, owner-occupied means that the property is the principal residence of the borrower and is security for a loan made for personal, family, or household purposes.
SEC. 4.Section 2924.18 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.18.(a)(1)If a borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification offered by, or through, the borrowers mortgage servicer at least five business days before a scheduled foreclosure sale, a mortgage servicer, trustee, mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default, notice of sale, or conduct a trustees sale while the complete first lien loan modification application is pending, and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination by the mortgage servicer regarding that borrowers eligibility for the requested loan modification.
(2)If a foreclosure prevention alternative has been 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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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.
(3)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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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)This section shall apply to both of the following:
(1)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(2)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(c)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to Sections 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.12, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
(d)For purposes of this section, an application shall be deemed complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.
(e)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of the 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.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
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 their 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, or will be incurred as a direct result of the payment being tendered, 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 Financial Protection and Innovation 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, unless the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
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, recording a notice of rescission under this section, postponement pursuant to Section 2924g not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) 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)(1)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 an amount as follows:
(A)If the unpaid principal sum secured is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less, then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).
(B)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) but does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(C)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) but does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(D)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(2)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 in this subdivision. 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.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 5 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)(A)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(B)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, (A) any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale, (B) the first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement, and (C) each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)Notwithstanding any other law, a sale of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be subject to the following restriction: a trustee shall not bundle properties for the purpose of sale and each property shall be bid on separately, unless the deed of trust or mortgage requires otherwise.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 7.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 6 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, all of the following conditions apply:
(A)Any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale.
(B)The first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement.
(C)Each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 8.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 142 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 21 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 21st day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 21st day. If an eligible bidder submits a written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 2924m, the trustees sale shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 60 calendar days after the sale or the next business day following the 60th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 60th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)Except as specifically provided in Section 2924m, in the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(i)The amendments made to this section by the bill adding this subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2022.
(j)The amendments made to this section by the act adding this subdivision are declaratory of existing law.
SEC. 9.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 8 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 15 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 15th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)In the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 10.Section 2924m of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924m.(a)For purposes of this section:
(1)Prospective owner-occupant means a natural person who presents to the trustee an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that:
(A)They will occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(B)They will maintain their occupancy for at least one year.
(C)They are not any of the following:
(i)The mortgagor or trustor.
(ii)The child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(iii)The grantor of a living trust that was named in the title to the property when the notice of default was recorded.
(iv)An employee, officer, or member of the mortgagor or trustor.
(v)A person with an ownership interest in the mortgagor, unless the mortgagor is a publicly traded company.
(D)They are not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property.
(2)Eligible tenant buyer means a natural person who at the time of the trustees sale:
(A)Is occupying the real property as their primary residence.
(B)Is occupying the real property under a rental or lease agreement entered into as the result of an arms-length transaction with the mortgagor or trustor, or with the mortgagor or trustors predecessor in interest, on a date prior to the recording of the notice of default against the property, and who attaches evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy to the affidavit or declaration required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(C)Is not the mortgagor or trustor, or the child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(D)Is not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property. Submission of a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) does not violate this subparagraph.
(E)Has not filed a petition under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code at any time during the period from the date of the trustees sale of the property to the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday.
(3)Eligible bidder means any of the following:
(A)An eligible tenant buyer.
(B)A prospective owner-occupant.
(C)A nonprofit association, nonprofit corporation, or cooperative corporation in which an eligible tenant buyer is a voting member or director.
(D)An eligible nonprofit corporation with all of the following attributes:
(i)It has a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service affirming its tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation as that term is defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(ii)It has its principal place of business in California.
(iii)The primary residences of all board members are located in California.
(iv)One of its primary activities is the development and preservation of affordable rental or home ownership housing in California.
(v)It is registered and in good standing with the Attorney Generals Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, pursuant to the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act (Article 7 (commencing with Section 12580) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(E)A limited liability company wholly owned by one or more eligible nonprofit corporations as described in subparagraph (C) or (D).
(F)A community land trust, as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(G)A limited-equity housing cooperative as defined in Section 817.
(H)The state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, or public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.
(4)Evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy means a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement or, if a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement is not available, then one of the following:
(A)Evidence of rent payments made for the property by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(B)Copies of utility bills for the property payable by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(b)This section does not prevent an eligible tenant buyer who meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) from being deemed a prospective owner-occupant.
(c)A trustees sale of property under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage on real property containing one to four residential units pursuant to Section 2924g shall not be deemed final until the earliest of the following:
(1)If a prospective owner-occupant is the last and highest bidder at the trustees sale, the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 2924h for the sale to become final are met. The prospective owner-occupant shall submit to the trustee the affidavit or declaration described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) at the trustees sale or to the trustee by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustees sale.
(2)Fifteen days after the trustees sale unless at least one eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder submits to the trustee either a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) or a nonbinding written notice of intent to place such a bid. The bid or written notice of intent to place a bid shall:
(A)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(B)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the person or entity submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent belongs and stating that the person meets the criteria for that category. If the winning bid is placed by an eligible bidder described in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the affidavit or declaration shall affirm the bidders duty to comply with subdivision (a) of Section 2924o for the benefit of tenants occupying the property.
(C)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(D)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent.
(3)(A)The date upon which a representative of all of the eligible tenant buyers submits to the trustee a bid in an amount equal to the full amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. This bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, stating that the persons represented meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), and that the persons represented are all of the eligible tenant buyers.
(iii)Meet either of the following criteria:
(I)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(II)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if at least one of the eligible tenant buyers submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to place a bid pursuant to paragraph (2).
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(B)If the conditions in this paragraph are satisfied, the eligible tenant buyers shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale.
(4)(A)Forty-five days after the trustees sale, except that during the 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit to the trustee a bid in an amount that exceeds the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. The bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs and stating that the eligible bidder meets the criteria for that category.
(iii)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if the eligible bidder submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2). Notwithstanding clause (i), on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee under this clause, the trustee shall not receive any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(v)Be limited to a single bid amount and not contain instructions for successive bid amounts.
(B)As of 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, if one or more eligible bidders has submitted a bid that meets the conditions in this paragraph, the eligible bidder that submitted the highest bid shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale. The trustee shall return any losing bid to the eligible bidder that submitted it.
(d)The trustee may reasonably rely on affidavits and declarations regarding bidder eligibility received under this section. The affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder shall be attached as an exhibit to the trustees deed and recorded. If the winning bidder is not required to submit an affidavit or declaration pursuant to this section, the trustee shall attach as an exhibit to the trustees deed a statement that no affidavit or declaration is required by this section, and the lack of an affidavit or declaration shall not prevent the deed from being recorded and shall not invalidate the transfer of title pursuant to the trustees deed.
(e)If the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) for a sale to be deemed final are not met, then:
(1)Not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g, the trustee or an authorized agent shall post on the internet website set forth on the notice of sale, as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f, the following information:
(A)The date on which the trustees sale took place.
(B)The amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale.
(C)An address at which the trustee can receive documents sent by United States mail and by a method of delivery providing for overnight delivery.
(2)The information required to be posted on the internet website under paragraph (1) shall also be made available not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g by calling the telephone number set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(3)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available using the file number assigned to the case that is set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(4)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available for a period of not less than 45 days after the sale of property under Section 2924g.
(5)A disruption of any of these methods of providing the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of this subdivision.
(6)The information to be provided by the trustee to eligible bidders or to persons considering whether to submit a bid or notice of intent to bid pursuant to this section is limited to the information set forth in paragraph (1).
(f)Title to the property shall remain with the mortgagor or trustor or successor in interest until the property sale is deemed final as provided in this section.
(g)A prospective owner-occupant shall not be in violation of this section if a legal owners compliance with the requirements of Section 2924n renders them unable to occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(h)This section shall prevail over any conflicting provision of Section 2924h.
(i)For trustees sales where the winning bidder is an eligible bidder under this section, the trustee or an authorized agent shall electronically send the following information to the office of the Attorney General within 15 days of the sale being deemed final:
(1)The dates when the trustees sale took place and when it was deemed final.
(2)The name of the winning bidder.
(3)The street address and assessors parcel number of the subject property.
(4)A copy of the trustees deed, as executed, including the attached affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder.
(5)The category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs.
(j)The Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a district attorney may bring an action for specific performance or any other remedy at equity or at law to enforce this section.
(k)The Department of Justice shall include a summary of information contained in the reports received pursuant to subdivision (i) in a searchable repository on its official internet website.
(l)The pendency of a determination of finality under subdivision (c) shall not cause termination of any hazard insurance coverage in effect at the time of the trustees sale.
(m)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
The restrictions upon rates of interest contained in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution shall not apply to any loan, or any forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part by liens on real property. For purposes of this section, a loan, or forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, is arranged by a person licensed as a real estate broker when a broker (1) acts for compensation or in expectation of compensation for soliciting, negotiating, or arranging the loan, or forbearance, extension, or modification of the loan, for another, (2) acts for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business for another and (A) arranges a loan to pay all or any portion of the purchase price of, or of an improvement to, that property or business or (B) arranges a forbearance, extension, modification, or refinancing of any loan in connection with that sale, purchase, lease, exchange of, or an improvement to, real property or a business, or (3) arranges or negotiates for another a forbearance, extension, modification, or refinancing of any loan secured by real property in connection with a past transaction in which a broker had acted for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business. The term made or arranged includes any loan, or any forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, made by a person licensed as a real estate broker as a principal or as an agent for others, and whether or not the person is acting within the course and scope of such license.
SEC. 2.Section 2923.7 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2923.7.(a)When a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall promptly establish a single point of contact and provide to the borrower one or more direct means of communication with the single point of contact.
(b)The single point of contact shall be responsible for doing all of the following:
(1)Communicating the process by which a borrower may apply for an available foreclosure prevention alternative and the deadline for any required submissions to be considered for these options.
(2)Coordinating receipt of all documents associated with available foreclosure prevention alternatives and notifying the borrower of any missing documents necessary to complete the application.
(3)Having access to current information and personnel sufficient to timely, accurately, and adequately inform the borrower of the current status of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
(4)Ensuring that a borrower is considered for all foreclosure prevention alternatives offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer, if any.
(5)Having access to individuals with the ability and authority to stop foreclosure proceedings when necessary.
(c)The single point of contact shall remain assigned to the borrowers account until the mortgage servicer determines that all loss mitigation options offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer have been exhausted or the borrowers account becomes current.
(d)The mortgage servicer shall ensure that a single point of contact refers and transfers a borrower to an appropriate supervisor upon request of the borrower, if the single point of contact has a supervisor.
(e)For purposes of this section, single point of contact means an individual or team of personnel each of whom has the ability and authority to perform the responsibilities described in subdivisions (b) to (d), inclusive. The mortgage servicer shall ensure that each member of the team is knowledgeable about the borrowers situation and current status in the alternatives to foreclosure process.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(g)(1)This section shall not apply to either of the following:
(A)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(B)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(2)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to this section, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
SEC. 3.Section 2924.15 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.15.(a)Unless otherwise provided, paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 2924 and Sections 2923.5, 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.18 shall apply only to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units.
(b)For purposes of this section, owner-occupied means that the property is the principal residence of the borrower and is security for a loan made for personal, family, or household purposes.
SEC. 4.Section 2924.18 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.18.(a)(1)If a borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification offered by, or through, the borrowers mortgage servicer at least five business days before a scheduled foreclosure sale, a mortgage servicer, trustee, mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default, notice of sale, or conduct a trustees sale while the complete first lien loan modification application is pending, and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination by the mortgage servicer regarding that borrowers eligibility for the requested loan modification.
(2)If a foreclosure prevention alternative has been 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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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.
(3)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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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)This section shall apply to both of the following:
(1)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(2)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(c)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to Sections 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.12, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
(d)For purposes of this section, an application shall be deemed complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.
(e)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of the 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.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
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 their 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, or will be incurred as a direct result of the payment being tendered, 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 Financial Protection and Innovation 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, unless the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
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, recording a notice of rescission under this section, postponement pursuant to Section 2924g not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) 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)(1)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 an amount as follows:
(A)If the unpaid principal sum secured is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less, then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).
(B)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) but does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(C)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) but does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(D)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(2)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 in this subdivision. 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.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 5 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)(A)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(B)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, (A) any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale, (B) the first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement, and (C) each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)Notwithstanding any other law, a sale of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be subject to the following restriction: a trustee shall not bundle properties for the purpose of sale and each property shall be bid on separately, unless the deed of trust or mortgage requires otherwise.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 7.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 6 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, all of the following conditions apply:
(A)Any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale.
(B)The first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement.
(C)Each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 8.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 142 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 21 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 21st day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 21st day. If an eligible bidder submits a written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 2924m, the trustees sale shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 60 calendar days after the sale or the next business day following the 60th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 60th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)Except as specifically provided in Section 2924m, in the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(i)The amendments made to this section by the bill adding this subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2022.
(j)The amendments made to this section by the act adding this subdivision are declaratory of existing law.
SEC. 9.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 8 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 15 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 15th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)In the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 10.Section 2924m of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924m.(a)For purposes of this section:
(1)Prospective owner-occupant means a natural person who presents to the trustee an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that:
(A)They will occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(B)They will maintain their occupancy for at least one year.
(C)They are not any of the following:
(i)The mortgagor or trustor.
(ii)The child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(iii)The grantor of a living trust that was named in the title to the property when the notice of default was recorded.
(iv)An employee, officer, or member of the mortgagor or trustor.
(v)A person with an ownership interest in the mortgagor, unless the mortgagor is a publicly traded company.
(D)They are not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property.
(2)Eligible tenant buyer means a natural person who at the time of the trustees sale:
(A)Is occupying the real property as their primary residence.
(B)Is occupying the real property under a rental or lease agreement entered into as the result of an arms-length transaction with the mortgagor or trustor, or with the mortgagor or trustors predecessor in interest, on a date prior to the recording of the notice of default against the property, and who attaches evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy to the affidavit or declaration required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(C)Is not the mortgagor or trustor, or the child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(D)Is not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property. Submission of a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) does not violate this subparagraph.
(E)Has not filed a petition under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code at any time during the period from the date of the trustees sale of the property to the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday.
(3)Eligible bidder means any of the following:
(A)An eligible tenant buyer.
(B)A prospective owner-occupant.
(C)A nonprofit association, nonprofit corporation, or cooperative corporation in which an eligible tenant buyer is a voting member or director.
(D)An eligible nonprofit corporation with all of the following attributes:
(i)It has a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service affirming its tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation as that term is defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(ii)It has its principal place of business in California.
(iii)The primary residences of all board members are located in California.
(iv)One of its primary activities is the development and preservation of affordable rental or home ownership housing in California.
(v)It is registered and in good standing with the Attorney Generals Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, pursuant to the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act (Article 7 (commencing with Section 12580) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(E)A limited liability company wholly owned by one or more eligible nonprofit corporations as described in subparagraph (C) or (D).
(F)A community land trust, as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(G)A limited-equity housing cooperative as defined in Section 817.
(H)The state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, or public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.
(4)Evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy means a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement or, if a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement is not available, then one of the following:
(A)Evidence of rent payments made for the property by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(B)Copies of utility bills for the property payable by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(b)This section does not prevent an eligible tenant buyer who meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) from being deemed a prospective owner-occupant.
(c)A trustees sale of property under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage on real property containing one to four residential units pursuant to Section 2924g shall not be deemed final until the earliest of the following:
(1)If a prospective owner-occupant is the last and highest bidder at the trustees sale, the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 2924h for the sale to become final are met. The prospective owner-occupant shall submit to the trustee the affidavit or declaration described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) at the trustees sale or to the trustee by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustees sale.
(2)Fifteen days after the trustees sale unless at least one eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder submits to the trustee either a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) or a nonbinding written notice of intent to place such a bid. The bid or written notice of intent to place a bid shall:
(A)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(B)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the person or entity submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent belongs and stating that the person meets the criteria for that category. If the winning bid is placed by an eligible bidder described in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the affidavit or declaration shall affirm the bidders duty to comply with subdivision (a) of Section 2924o for the benefit of tenants occupying the property.
(C)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(D)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent.
(3)(A)The date upon which a representative of all of the eligible tenant buyers submits to the trustee a bid in an amount equal to the full amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. This bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, stating that the persons represented meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), and that the persons represented are all of the eligible tenant buyers.
(iii)Meet either of the following criteria:
(I)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(II)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if at least one of the eligible tenant buyers submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to place a bid pursuant to paragraph (2).
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(B)If the conditions in this paragraph are satisfied, the eligible tenant buyers shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale.
(4)(A)Forty-five days after the trustees sale, except that during the 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit to the trustee a bid in an amount that exceeds the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. The bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs and stating that the eligible bidder meets the criteria for that category.
(iii)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if the eligible bidder submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2). Notwithstanding clause (i), on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee under this clause, the trustee shall not receive any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(v)Be limited to a single bid amount and not contain instructions for successive bid amounts.
(B)As of 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, if one or more eligible bidders has submitted a bid that meets the conditions in this paragraph, the eligible bidder that submitted the highest bid shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale. The trustee shall return any losing bid to the eligible bidder that submitted it.
(d)The trustee may reasonably rely on affidavits and declarations regarding bidder eligibility received under this section. The affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder shall be attached as an exhibit to the trustees deed and recorded. If the winning bidder is not required to submit an affidavit or declaration pursuant to this section, the trustee shall attach as an exhibit to the trustees deed a statement that no affidavit or declaration is required by this section, and the lack of an affidavit or declaration shall not prevent the deed from being recorded and shall not invalidate the transfer of title pursuant to the trustees deed.
(e)If the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) for a sale to be deemed final are not met, then:
(1)Not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g, the trustee or an authorized agent shall post on the internet website set forth on the notice of sale, as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f, the following information:
(A)The date on which the trustees sale took place.
(B)The amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale.
(C)An address at which the trustee can receive documents sent by United States mail and by a method of delivery providing for overnight delivery.
(2)The information required to be posted on the internet website under paragraph (1) shall also be made available not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g by calling the telephone number set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(3)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available using the file number assigned to the case that is set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(4)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available for a period of not less than 45 days after the sale of property under Section 2924g.
(5)A disruption of any of these methods of providing the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of this subdivision.
(6)The information to be provided by the trustee to eligible bidders or to persons considering whether to submit a bid or notice of intent to bid pursuant to this section is limited to the information set forth in paragraph (1).
(f)Title to the property shall remain with the mortgagor or trustor or successor in interest until the property sale is deemed final as provided in this section.
(g)A prospective owner-occupant shall not be in violation of this section if a legal owners compliance with the requirements of Section 2924n renders them unable to occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(h)This section shall prevail over any conflicting provision of Section 2924h.
(i)For trustees sales where the winning bidder is an eligible bidder under this section, the trustee or an authorized agent shall electronically send the following information to the office of the Attorney General within 15 days of the sale being deemed final:
(1)The dates when the trustees sale took place and when it was deemed final.
(2)The name of the winning bidder.
(3)The street address and assessors parcel number of the subject property.
(4)A copy of the trustees deed, as executed, including the attached affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder.
(5)The category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs.
(j)The Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a district attorney may bring an action for specific performance or any other remedy at equity or at law to enforce this section.
(k)The Department of Justice shall include a summary of information contained in the reports received pursuant to subdivision (i) in a searchable repository on its official internet website.
(l)The pendency of a determination of finality under subdivision (c) shall not cause termination of any hazard insurance coverage in effect at the time of the trustees sale.
(m)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
The restrictions upon rates of interest contained in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution shall not apply to any loan, or any forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part by liens on real property. For purposes of this section, a loan, or forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, is arranged by a person licensed as a real estate broker when a broker (1) acts for compensation or in expectation of compensation for soliciting, negotiating, or arranging the loan, or forbearance, extension, or modification of the loan, for another, (2) acts for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business for another and (A) arranges a loan to pay all or any portion of the purchase price of, or of an improvement to, that property or business or (B) arranges a forbearance, extension, modification, or refinancing of any loan in connection with that sale, purchase, lease, exchange of, or an improvement to, real property or a business, or (3) arranges or negotiates for another a forbearance, extension, modification, or refinancing of any loan secured by real property in connection with a past transaction in which a broker had acted for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business. The term made or arranged includes any loan, or any forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, made by a person licensed as a real estate broker as a principal or as an agent for others, and whether or not the person is acting within the course and scope of such license.
SEC. 2.Section 2923.7 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2923.7.(a)When a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall promptly establish a single point of contact and provide to the borrower one or more direct means of communication with the single point of contact.
(b)The single point of contact shall be responsible for doing all of the following:
(1)Communicating the process by which a borrower may apply for an available foreclosure prevention alternative and the deadline for any required submissions to be considered for these options.
(2)Coordinating receipt of all documents associated with available foreclosure prevention alternatives and notifying the borrower of any missing documents necessary to complete the application.
(3)Having access to current information and personnel sufficient to timely, accurately, and adequately inform the borrower of the current status of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
(4)Ensuring that a borrower is considered for all foreclosure prevention alternatives offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer, if any.
(5)Having access to individuals with the ability and authority to stop foreclosure proceedings when necessary.
(c)The single point of contact shall remain assigned to the borrowers account until the mortgage servicer determines that all loss mitigation options offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer have been exhausted or the borrowers account becomes current.
(d)The mortgage servicer shall ensure that a single point of contact refers and transfers a borrower to an appropriate supervisor upon request of the borrower, if the single point of contact has a supervisor.
(e)For purposes of this section, single point of contact means an individual or team of personnel each of whom has the ability and authority to perform the responsibilities described in subdivisions (b) to (d), inclusive. The mortgage servicer shall ensure that each member of the team is knowledgeable about the borrowers situation and current status in the alternatives to foreclosure process.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(g)(1)This section shall not apply to either of the following:
(A)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(B)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(2)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to this section, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
SEC. 3.Section 2924.15 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.15.(a)Unless otherwise provided, paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 2924 and Sections 2923.5, 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.18 shall apply only to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units.
(b)For purposes of this section, owner-occupied means that the property is the principal residence of the borrower and is security for a loan made for personal, family, or household purposes.
SEC. 4.Section 2924.18 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.18.(a)(1)If a borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification offered by, or through, the borrowers mortgage servicer at least five business days before a scheduled foreclosure sale, a mortgage servicer, trustee, mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default, notice of sale, or conduct a trustees sale while the complete first lien loan modification application is pending, and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination by the mortgage servicer regarding that borrowers eligibility for the requested loan modification.
(2)If a foreclosure prevention alternative has been 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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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.
(3)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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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)This section shall apply to both of the following:
(1)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(2)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(c)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to Sections 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.12, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
(d)For purposes of this section, an application shall be deemed complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.
(e)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of the 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.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
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 their 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 Financial Protection and Innovation 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, unless the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.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 isas 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)(1)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 an amount as follows:(A)If the unpaid principal sum secured is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less, then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).(B)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) but does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).(C)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) but does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).(D)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).(2)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 in this subdivision. 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. 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 their 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, or will be incurred as a direct result of the payment being tendered, 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 Financial Protection and Innovation 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. costs, unless the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
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, recording a notice of rescission under this section, postponement pursuant to Section 2924g not to exceed one hundred dollars ($100) 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)(1)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 an amount as follows:
(A)If the unpaid principal sum secured is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less, then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).
(B)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) but does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(C)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) but does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(D)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(2)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 in this subdivision. 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.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 5 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)(A)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(B)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, (A) any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale, (B) the first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement, and (C) each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)Notwithstanding any other law, a sale of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be subject to the following restriction: a trustee shall not bundle properties for the purpose of sale and each property shall be bid on separately, unless the deed of trust or mortgage requires otherwise.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 7.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 6 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, all of the following conditions apply:
(A)Any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale.
(B)The first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement.
(C)Each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 8.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 7 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 21 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 21st day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 21st day. If an eligible bidder submits a written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 2924m, the trustees sale shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 60 calendar days after the sale or the next business day following the 60th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 60th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.(f)Except as specifically provided in Section 2924m, in the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.(h)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.(i)The amendments made to this section by the bill adding this subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2022.SEC. 8.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 4 of Chapter 142 of the Statutes of 2024, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale the trustee shall have the right (1) to require every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale, and (2) to require the(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 21 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 21st day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 21st day. If an eligible bidder submits a written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2) of subdivision (c) of Section 2924m, the trustees sale shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 60 calendar days after the sale or the next business day following the 60th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 60th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)Except as specifically provided in Section 2924m, in the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(i)The amendments made to this section by the bill adding this subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2022.
(j)The amendments made to this section by the act adding this subdivision are declaratory of existing law.
SEC. 9.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 8 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 15 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 15th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)In the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 10.Section 2924m of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924m.(a)For purposes of this section:(1)Prospective owner-occupant means a natural person who presents to the trustee an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that:(A)They will occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.(B)They will maintain their occupancy for at least one year.(C)They are not any of the following:(i)The mortgagor or trustor.(ii)The child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.(iii)The grantor of a living trust that was named in the title to the property when the notice of default was recorded.(iv)An employee, officer, or member of the mortgagor or trustor.(v)A person with an ownership interest in the mortgagor, unless the mortgagor is a publicly traded company.(D)They are not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property.(2)Eligible tenant buyer means a natural person who at the time of the trustees sale:(A)Is occupying the real property as their primary residence.(B)Is occupying the real property under a rental or lease agreement entered into as the result of an arms-length transaction with the mortgagor or trustor, or with the mortgagor or trustors predecessor in interest, on a date prior to the recording of the notice of default against the property, and who attaches evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy to the affidavit or declaration required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).(C)Is not the mortgagor or trustor, or the child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.(D)Is not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property. Submission of a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) does not violate this subparagraph.(E)Has not filed a petition under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code at any time during the period from the date of the trustees sale of the property to the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday.(3)Eligible bidder means any of the following:(A)An eligible tenant buyer.(B)A prospective owner-occupant.(C)A nonprofit association, nonprofit corporation, or cooperative corporation in which an eligible tenant buyer is a voting member or director.(D)An eligible nonprofit corporation with all of the following attributes:(i)It has a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service affirming its tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation as that term is defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code.(ii)It has its principal place of business in California.(iii)The primary residences of all board members are located in California.(iv)One of its primary activities is the development and preservation of affordable rental or homeownership housing in California.(v)It is registered and in good standing with the Attorney Generals Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, pursuant to the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act (Article 7 (commencing with Section 12580) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).(E)A limited liability company wholly owned by one or more eligible nonprofit corporations as described in subparagraph (C) or (D).(F)A community land trust, as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.(G)A limited-equity housing cooperative as defined in Section 817.(H)The state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, or public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.(4)Evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy means a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement or, if a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement is not available, then one of the following:(A)Evidence of rent payments made for the property by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.(B)Copies of utility bills for the property payable by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.(b)This section does not prevent an eligible tenant buyer who meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) from being deemed a prospective owner-occupant.(c)A trustees sale of property under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage on real property containing one to four residential units pursuant to Section 2924g shall not be deemed final until the earliest of the following:(1)If a prospective owner-occupant is the last and highest bidder at the trustees sale, the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 2924h for the sale to become final are met. The prospective owner-occupant shall submit to the trustee the affidavit or declaration described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) at the trustees sale or to the trustee by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustees sale.(2)Fifteen days after the trustees sale unless at least one eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder submits to the trustee either a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) or a nonbinding written notice of intent to place such a bid. The bid or written notice of intent to place a bid shall:(A)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.(B)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the person or entity submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent belongs and stating that the person meets the criteria for that category. If the winning bid is placed by an eligible bidder described in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the affidavit or declaration shall affirm the bidders duty to comply with subdivision (a) of Section 2924o for the benefit of tenants occupying the property.(C)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.(D)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent.(3)(A)The date upon which a representative of all of the eligible tenant buyers submits to the trustee a bid in an amount equal to the full amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. This bid shall:(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, stating that the persons represented meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), and that the persons represented are all of the eligible tenant buyers.(iii)Meet either of the following criteria:(I)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.(II)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if at least one of the eligible tenant buyers submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to place a bid pursuant to paragraph (2).(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.(v)Be limited to a single bid amount and not contain instructions for successive bid amounts.(B)If the conditions in this paragraph are satisfied, the eligible tenant buyers shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale.(4)(A)Forty-five days after the trustees sale, except that during the 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit to the trustee a bid in an amount that exceeds the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. The bid shall:(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs and stating that the eligible bidder meets the criteria for that category.(iii)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if the eligible bidder submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2). Notwithstanding clause (i), on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee under this clause, the trustee shall not receive any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.(B)As of 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, if one or more eligible bidders has submitted a bid that meets the conditions in this paragraph, the eligible bidder that submitted the highest bid shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale. The trustee shall return any losing bid to the eligible bidder that submitted it.(d)The trustee may reasonably rely on affidavits and declarations regarding bidder eligibility received under this section. The affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder shall be attached as an exhibit to the trustees deed and recorded.(e)If the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) for a sale to be deemed final are not met, then:(1)Not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g, the trustee or an authorized agent shall post on the internet website set forth on the notice of sale, as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f, the following information:(A)The date on which the trustees sale took place.(B)The amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale.(C)An address at which the trustee can receive documents sent by United States mail and by a method of delivery providing for overnight delivery.(2)The information required to be posted on the internet website under paragraph (1) shall also be made available not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g by calling the telephone number set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.(3)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available using the file number assigned to the case that is set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.(4)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available for a period of not less than 45 days after the sale of property under Section 2924g.(5)A disruption of any of these methods of providing the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of this subdivision.(6)The information to be provided by the trustee to eligible bidders or to persons considering whether to submit a bid or notice of intent to bid pursuant to this section is limited to the information set forth in paragraph (1).(f)Title to the property shall remain with the mortgagor or trustor until the property sale is deemed final as provided in this section.(g)A prospective owner-occupant shall not be in violation of this section if a legal owners compliance with the requirements of Section 2924n renders them unable to occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.(h)This section shall prevail over any conflicting provision of Section 2924h.(i)For trustees sales where the winning bidder is an eligible bidder under this section, the trustee or an authorized agent shall electronically send the following information to the office of the Attorney General within 15 days of the sale being deemed final:(1)The dates when the trustees sale took place and when it was deemed final.(2)The name of the winning bidder.(3)The street address and assessors parcel number of the subject property.(4)A copy of the trustees deed, as recorded, including the attached affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder.(5)The category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs.(j)The Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a district attorney may bring an action for specific performance or any other remedy at equity or at law to enforce this section.(k)The Department of Justice shall include a summary of information contained in the reports received pursuant to subdivision (i) in a searchable repository on its official internet website.(l)The pendency of a determination of finality under subdivision (c) shall not cause termination of any hazard insurance coverage in effect at the time of the trustees sale.(m)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.SEC. 10.Section 2924m of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924m.(a)For purposes of this section:
(1)Prospective owner-occupant means a natural person who presents to the trustee an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that:
(A)They will occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(B)They will maintain their occupancy for at least one year.
(C)They are not any of the following:
(i)The mortgagor or trustor.
(ii)The child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(iii)The grantor of a living trust that was named in the title to the property when the notice of default was recorded.
(iv)An employee, officer, or member of the mortgagor or trustor.
(v)A person with an ownership interest in the mortgagor, unless the mortgagor is a publicly traded company.
(D)They are not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property.
(2)Eligible tenant buyer means a natural person who at the time of the trustees sale:
(A)Is occupying the real property as their primary residence.
(B)Is occupying the real property under a rental or lease agreement entered into as the result of an arms-length transaction with the mortgagor or trustor, or with the mortgagor or trustors predecessor in interest, on a date prior to the recording of the notice of default against the property, and who attaches evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy to the affidavit or declaration required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(C)Is not the mortgagor or trustor, or the child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(D)Is not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property. Submission of a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) does not violate this subparagraph.
(E)Has not filed a petition under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code at any time during the period from the date of the trustees sale of the property to the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday.
(3)Eligible bidder means any of the following:
(A)An eligible tenant buyer.
(B)A prospective owner-occupant.
(C)A nonprofit association, nonprofit corporation, or cooperative corporation in which an eligible tenant buyer is a voting member or director.
(D)An eligible nonprofit corporation with all of the following attributes:
(i)It has a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service affirming its tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation as that term is defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(ii)It has its principal place of business in California.
(iii)The primary residences of all board members are located in California.
(iv)One of its primary activities is the development and preservation of affordable rental or home ownership housing in California.
(v)It is registered and in good standing with the Attorney Generals Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, pursuant to the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act (Article 7 (commencing with Section 12580) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(E)A limited liability company wholly owned by one or more eligible nonprofit corporations as described in subparagraph (C) or (D).
(F)A community land trust, as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(G)A limited-equity housing cooperative as defined in Section 817.
(H)The state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, or public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.
(4)Evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy means a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement or, if a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement is not available, then one of the following:
(A)Evidence of rent payments made for the property by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(B)Copies of utility bills for the property payable by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(b)This section does not prevent an eligible tenant buyer who meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) from being deemed a prospective owner-occupant.
(c)A trustees sale of property under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage on real property containing one to four residential units pursuant to Section 2924g shall not be deemed final until the earliest of the following:
(1)If a prospective owner-occupant is the last and highest bidder at the trustees sale, the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 2924h for the sale to become final are met. The prospective owner-occupant shall submit to the trustee the affidavit or declaration described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) at the trustees sale or to the trustee by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustees sale.
(2)Fifteen days after the trustees sale unless at least one eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder submits to the trustee either a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) or a nonbinding written notice of intent to place such a bid. The bid or written notice of intent to place a bid shall:
(A)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or other another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(B)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the person or entity submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent belongs and stating that the person meets the criteria for that category. If the winning bid is placed by an eligible bidder described in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the affidavit or declaration shall affirm the bidders duty to comply with subdivision (a) of Section 2924o for the benefit of tenants occupying the property.
(C)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(D)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent.
(3)(A)The date upon which a representative of all of the eligible tenant buyers submits to the trustee a bid in an amount equal to the full amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. This bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or other another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, stating that the persons represented meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), and that the persons represented are all of the eligible tenant buyers.
(iii)Meet either of the following criteria:
(I)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(II)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if at least one of the eligible tenant buyers submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to place a bid pursuant to paragraph (2).
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(B)If the conditions in this paragraph are satisfied, the eligible tenant buyers shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale.
(4)(A)Forty-five days after the trustees sale, except that during the 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit to the trustee a bid in an amount that exceeds the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. The bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or other another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs and stating that the eligible bidder meets the criteria for that category.
(iii)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if the eligible bidder submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2). Notwithstanding clause (i), on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee under this clause, the trustee shall not receive any bid that is not sent by certified mail or overnight mail. with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(v)Be limited to a single bid amount and not contain instructions for successive bid amounts.
(B)As of 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, if one or more eligible bidders has submitted a bid that meets the conditions in this paragraph, the eligible bidder that submitted the highest bid shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale. The trustee shall return any losing bid to the eligible bidder that submitted it.
(d)The trustee may reasonably rely on affidavits and declarations regarding bidder eligibility received under this section. The affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder shall be attached as an exhibit to the trustees deed and recorded. If the winning bidder is not required to submit an affidavit or declaration pursuant to this section, the trustee shall attach as an exhibit to the trustees deed a statement that no affidavit or declaration is required by this section, and the lack of an affidavit or declaration shall not prevent the deed from being recorded and shall not invalidate the transfer of title pursuant to the trustees deed.
(e)If the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) for a sale to be deemed final are not met, then:
(1)Not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g, the trustee or an authorized agent shall post on the internet website set forth on the notice of sale, as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f, the following information:
(A)The date on which the trustees sale took place.
(B)The amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale.
(C)An address at which the trustee can receive documents sent by United States mail and by a method of delivery providing for overnight delivery.
(2)The information required to be posted on the internet website under paragraph (1) shall also be made available not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g by calling the telephone number set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(3)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available using the file number assigned to the case that is set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(4)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available for a period of not less than 45 days after the sale of property under Section 2924g.
(5)A disruption of any of these methods of providing the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of this subdivision.
(6)The information to be provided by the trustee to eligible bidders or to persons considering whether to submit a bid or notice of intent to bid pursuant to this section is limited to the information set forth in paragraph (1).
(f)Title to the property shall remain with the mortgagor or trustor or successor in interest until the property sale is deemed final as provided in this section.
(g)A prospective owner-occupant shall not be in violation of this section if a legal owners compliance with the requirements of Section 2924n renders them unable to occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(h)This section shall prevail over any conflicting provision of Section 2924h.
(i)For trustees sales where the winning bidder is an eligible bidder under this section, the trustee or an authorized agent shall electronically send the following information to the office of the Attorney General within 15 days of the sale being deemed final:
(1)The dates when the trustees sale took place and when it was deemed final.
(2)The name of the winning bidder.
(3)The street address and assessors parcel number of the subject property.
(4)A copy of the trustees deed, as executed, including the attached affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder.
(5)The category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs.
(j)The Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a district attorney may bring an action for specific performance or any other remedy at equity or at law to enforce this section.
(k)The Department of Justice shall include a summary of information contained in the reports received pursuant to subdivision (i) in a searchable repository on its official internet website.
(l)The pendency of a determination of finality under subdivision (c) shall not cause termination of any hazard insurance coverage in effect at the time of the trustees sale.
(m)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
The restrictions upon rates of interest contained in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution shall not apply to any loan or forbearance loan, or any forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part by liens on real property. For purposes of this section, a loan or forbearance loan, or forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, is arranged by a person licensed as a real estate broker when the a broker (1) acts for compensation or in expectation of compensation for soliciting, negotiating, or arranging the loan loan, or forbearance, extension, or modification of the loan, for another, (2) acts for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business for another and (A) arranges a loan to pay all or any portion of the purchase price of, or of an improvement to, that property or business or (B) arranges a forbearance, extension, modification, or refinancing of any loan in connection with that sale, purchase, lease, exchange of, or an improvement to, real property or a business, or (3) arranges or negotiates for another a forbearance, extension, modification, or refinancing of any loan secured by real property in connection with a past transaction in which the a broker had acted for compensation or in expectation of compensation for selling, buying, leasing, exchanging, or negotiating the sale, purchase, lease, or exchange of real property or a business. The term made or arranged includes any loan loan, or any forbearance, extension, or modification of a loan, made by a person licensed as a real estate broker as a principal or as an agent for others, and whether or not the person is acting within the course and scope of such license.
SECTION 1.SEC. 2.Section 2923.7 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2923.7.(a)When a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall promptly establish a single point of contact and provide to the borrower one or more direct means of communication with the single point of contact.
(b)The single point of contact shall be responsible for doing all of the following:
(1)Communicating the process by which a borrower may apply for an available foreclosure prevention alternative and the deadline for any required submissions to be considered for these options.
(2)Coordinating receipt of all documents associated with available foreclosure prevention alternatives and notifying the borrower of any missing documents necessary to complete the application.
(3)Having access to current information and personnel sufficient to timely, accurately, and adequately inform the borrower of the current status of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
(4)Ensuring that a borrower is considered for all foreclosure prevention alternatives offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer, if any.
(5)Having access to individuals with the ability and authority to stop foreclosure proceedings when necessary.
(c)The single point of contact shall remain assigned to the borrowers account until the mortgage servicer determines that all loss mitigation options offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer have been exhausted or the borrowers account becomes current.
(d)The mortgage servicer shall ensure that a single point of contact refers and transfers a borrower to an appropriate supervisor upon request of the borrower, if the single point of contact has a supervisor.
(e)For purposes of this section, single point of contact means an individual or team of personnel each of whom has the ability and authority to perform the responsibilities described in subdivisions (b) to (d), inclusive. The mortgage servicer shall ensure that each member of the team is knowledgeable about the borrowers situation and current status in the alternatives to foreclosure process.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(g)(1)This section shall not apply to either of the following:
(A)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(B)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(2)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to this section, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
SEC. 2.SEC. 3.Section 2924.15 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.15.(a)Unless otherwise provided, paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 2924 and Sections 2923.5, 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.18 shall apply only to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units.
(b)For purposes of this section, owner-occupied means that the property is the principal residence of the borrower and is security for a loan made for personal, family, or household purposes.
SEC. 3.SEC. 4.Section 2924.18 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.18.(a)(1)If a borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification offered by, or through, the borrowers mortgage servicer at least five business days before a scheduled foreclosure sale, a mortgage servicer, trustee, mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default, notice of sale, or conduct a trustees sale while the complete first lien loan modification application is pending, and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination by the mortgage servicer regarding that borrowers eligibility for the requested loan modification.
(2)If a foreclosure prevention alternative has been 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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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.
(3)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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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)This section shall apply to both of the following:
(1)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(2)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(c)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to Sections 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.12, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
(d)For purposes of this section, an application shall be deemed complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.
(e)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of the 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.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
SEC. 4.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 their 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 Financial Protection and Innovation 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, unless the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
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)(1)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 an amount as follows:
(A)If the unpaid principal sum secured is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less, then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).
(B)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) but does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(C)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) but does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(D)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(2)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 in this subdivision. 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. 5.SEC. 6.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 5 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)(A)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(B)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, (A) any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale, (B) the first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement, and (C) each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)Notwithstanding any other law, a sale of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be subject to the following restriction: a trustee shall not bundle properties for the purpose of sale and each property shall be bid on separately, unless the deed of trust or mortgage requires otherwise.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 6.SEC. 7.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 6 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, all of the following conditions apply:
(A)Any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale.
(B)The first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement.
(C)Each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 7.SEC. 8.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 7 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 21 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 21st day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 21st day. If an eligible bidder submits a written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 2924m, the trustees sale shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 60 calendar days after the sale or the next business day following the 60th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 60th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)Except as specifically provided in Section 2924m, in the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(i)The amendments made to this section by the bill adding this subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2022.
SEC. 8.SEC. 9.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 8 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 15 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 15th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)In the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 9.SEC. 10.Section 2924m of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924m.(a)For purposes of this section:
(1)Prospective owner-occupant means a natural person who presents to the trustee an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that:
(A)They will occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(B)They will maintain their occupancy for at least one year.
(C)They are not any of the following:
(i)The mortgagor or trustor.
(ii)The child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(iii)The grantor of a living trust that was named in the title to the property when the notice of default was recorded.
(iv)An employee, officer, or member of the mortgagor or trustor.
(v)A person with an ownership interest in the mortgagor, unless the mortgagor is a publicly traded company.
(D)They are not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property.
(2)Eligible tenant buyer means a natural person who at the time of the trustees sale:
(A)Is occupying the real property as their primary residence.
(B)Is occupying the real property under a rental or lease agreement entered into as the result of an arms-length transaction with the mortgagor or trustor, or with the mortgagor or trustors predecessor in interest, on a date prior to the recording of the notice of default against the property, and who attaches evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy to the affidavit or declaration required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(C)Is not the mortgagor or trustor, or the child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(D)Is not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property. Submission of a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) does not violate this subparagraph.
(E)Has not filed a petition under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code at any time during the period from the date of the trustees sale of the property to the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday.
(3)Eligible bidder means any of the following:
(A)An eligible tenant buyer.
(B)A prospective owner-occupant.
(C)A nonprofit association, nonprofit corporation, or cooperative corporation in which an eligible tenant buyer is a voting member or director.
(D)An eligible nonprofit corporation with all of the following attributes:
(i)It has a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service affirming its tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation as that term is defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(ii)It has its principal place of business in California.
(iii)The primary residences of all board members are located in California.
(iv)One of its primary activities is the development and preservation of affordable rental or homeownership housing in California.
(v)It is registered and in good standing with the Attorney Generals Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, pursuant to the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act (Article 7 (commencing with Section 12580) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(E)A limited liability company wholly owned by one or more eligible nonprofit corporations as described in subparagraph (C) or (D).
(F)A community land trust, as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(G)A limited-equity housing cooperative as defined in Section 817.
(H)The state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, or public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.
(4)Evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy means a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement or, if a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement is not available, then one of the following:
(A)Evidence of rent payments made for the property by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(B)Copies of utility bills for the property payable by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(b)This section does not prevent an eligible tenant buyer who meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) from being deemed a prospective owner-occupant.
(c)A trustees sale of property under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage on real property containing one to four residential units pursuant to Section 2924g shall not be deemed final until the earliest of the following:
(1)If a prospective owner-occupant is the last and highest bidder at the trustees sale, the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 2924h for the sale to become final are met. The prospective owner-occupant shall submit to the trustee the affidavit or declaration described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) at the trustees sale or to the trustee by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustees sale.
(2)Fifteen days after the trustees sale unless at least one eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder submits to the trustee either a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) or a nonbinding written notice of intent to place such a bid. The bid or written notice of intent to place a bid shall:
(A)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(B)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the person or entity submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent belongs and stating that the person meets the criteria for that category. If the winning bid is placed by an eligible bidder described in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the affidavit or declaration shall affirm the bidders duty to comply with subdivision (a) of Section 2924o for the benefit of tenants occupying the property.
(C)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(D)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent.
(3)(A)The date upon which a representative of all of the eligible tenant buyers submits to the trustee a bid in an amount equal to the full amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. This bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, stating that the persons represented meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), and that the persons represented are all of the eligible tenant buyers.
(iii)Meet either of the following criteria:
(I)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(II)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if at least one of the eligible tenant buyers submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to place a bid pursuant to paragraph (2).
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(v)Be limited to a single bid amount and not contain instructions for successive bid amounts.
(B)If the conditions in this paragraph are satisfied, the eligible tenant buyers shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale.
(4)(A)Forty-five days after the trustees sale, except that during the 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit to the trustee a bid in an amount that exceeds the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. The bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs and stating that the eligible bidder meets the criteria for that category.
(iii)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if the eligible bidder submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2). Notwithstanding clause (i), on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee under this clause, the trustee shall not receive any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(B)As of 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, if one or more eligible bidders has submitted a bid that meets the conditions in this paragraph, the eligible bidder that submitted the highest bid shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale. The trustee shall return any losing bid to the eligible bidder that submitted it.
(d)The trustee may reasonably rely on affidavits and declarations regarding bidder eligibility received under this section. The affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder shall be attached as an exhibit to the trustees deed and recorded.
(e)If the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) for a sale to be deemed final are not met, then:
(1)Not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g, the trustee or an authorized agent shall post on the internet website set forth on the notice of sale, as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f, the following information:
(A)The date on which the trustees sale took place.
(B)The amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale.
(C)An address at which the trustee can receive documents sent by United States mail and by a method of delivery providing for overnight delivery.
(2)The information required to be posted on the internet website under paragraph (1) shall also be made available not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g by calling the telephone number set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(3)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available using the file number assigned to the case that is set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(4)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available for a period of not less than 45 days after the sale of property under Section 2924g.
(5)A disruption of any of these methods of providing the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of this subdivision.
(6)The information to be provided by the trustee to eligible bidders or to persons considering whether to submit a bid or notice of intent to bid pursuant to this section is limited to the information set forth in paragraph (1).
(f)Title to the property shall remain with the mortgagor or trustor until the property sale is deemed final as provided in this section.
(g)A prospective owner-occupant shall not be in violation of this section if a legal owners compliance with the requirements of Section 2924n renders them unable to occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(h)This section shall prevail over any conflicting provision of Section 2924h.
(i)For trustees sales where the winning bidder is an eligible bidder under this section, the trustee or an authorized agent shall electronically send the following information to the office of the Attorney General within 15 days of the sale being deemed final:
(1)The dates when the trustees sale took place and when it was deemed final.
(2)The name of the winning bidder.
(3)The street address and assessors parcel number of the subject property.
(4)A copy of the trustees deed, as recorded, including the attached affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder.
(5)The category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs.
(j)The Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a district attorney may bring an action for specific performance or any other remedy at equity or at law to enforce this section.
(k)The Department of Justice shall include a summary of information contained in the reports received pursuant to subdivision (i) in a searchable repository on its official internet website.
(l)The pendency of a determination of finality under subdivision (c) shall not cause termination of any hazard insurance coverage in effect at the time of the trustees sale.
(m)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(a)When a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall promptly establish a single point of contact and provide to the borrower one or more direct means of communication with the single point of contact.
(b)The single point of contact shall be responsible for doing all of the following:
(1)Communicating the process by which a borrower may apply for an available foreclosure prevention alternative and the deadline for any required submissions to be considered for these options.
(2)Coordinating receipt of all documents associated with available foreclosure prevention alternatives and notifying the borrower of any missing documents necessary to complete the application.
(3)Having access to current information and personnel sufficient to timely, accurately, and adequately inform the borrower of the current status of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
(4)Ensuring that a borrower is considered for all foreclosure prevention alternatives offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer, if any.
(5)Having access to individuals with the ability and authority to stop foreclosure proceedings when necessary.
(c)The single point of contact shall remain assigned to the borrowers account until the mortgage servicer determines that all loss mitigation options offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer have been exhausted or the borrowers account becomes current.
(d)The mortgage servicer shall ensure that a single point of contact refers and transfers a borrower to an appropriate supervisor upon request of the borrower, if the single point of contact has a supervisor.
(e)For purposes of this section, single point of contact means an individual or team of personnel each of whom has the ability and authority to perform the responsibilities described in subdivisions (b) to (d), inclusive. The mortgage servicer shall ensure that each member of the team is knowledgeable about the borrowers situation and current status in the alternatives to foreclosure process.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(g)(1)This section shall not apply to either of the following:
(A)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(B)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(2)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to this section, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
SEC. 2.Section 2924.15 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.15.(a)Unless otherwise provided, paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 2924 and Sections 2923.5, 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.18 shall apply only to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units.
(b)For purposes of this section, owner-occupied means that the property is the principal residence of the borrower and is security for a loan made for personal, family, or household purposes.
SEC. 3.Section 2924.18 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.18.(a)(1)If a borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification offered by, or through, the borrowers mortgage servicer at least five business days before a scheduled foreclosure sale, a mortgage servicer, trustee, mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default, notice of sale, or conduct a trustees sale while the complete first lien loan modification application is pending, and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination by the mortgage servicer regarding that borrowers eligibility for the requested loan modification.
(2)If a foreclosure prevention alternative has been 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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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.
(3)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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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)This section shall apply to both of the following:
(1)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(2)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(c)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to Sections 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.12, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
(d)For purposes of this section, an application shall be deemed complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.
(e)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of the 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.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
SEC. 4.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 their 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 Financial Protection and Innovation 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, unless the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
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)(1)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 an amount as follows:
(A)If the unpaid principal sum secured is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less, then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).
(B)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) but does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(C)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) but does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(D)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(2)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 in this subdivision. 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. 5.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 5 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)(A)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(B)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed to the next business day seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, (A) any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale, (B) the first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement, and (C) each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)Notwithstanding any other law, a sale of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be subject to the following restriction: a trustee shall not bundle properties for the purpose of sale and each property shall be bid on separately, unless the deed of trust or mortgage requires otherwise.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 6.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 6 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, all of the following conditions apply:
(A)Any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale.
(B)The first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement.
(C)Each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed to the next business day seven calendar days at the same time and location.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 7.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 7 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 21 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 21st day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 21st day. If an eligible bidder submits a written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 2924m, the trustees sale shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 60 calendar days after the sale or the next business day following the 60th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 60th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)Except as specifically provided in Section 2924m, in the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(i)The amendments made to this section by the bill adding this subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2022.
SEC. 8.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 8 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 15 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 15th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)In the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 9.Section 2924m of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924m.(a)For purposes of this section:
(1)Prospective owner-occupant means a natural person who presents to the trustee an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that:
(A)They will occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(B)They will maintain their occupancy for at least one year.
(C)They are not any of the following:
(i)The mortgagor or trustor.
(ii)The child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(iii)The grantor of a living trust that was named in the title to the property when the notice of default was recorded.
(iv)An employee, officer, or member of the mortgagor or trustor.
(v)A person with an ownership interest in the mortgagor, unless the mortgagor is a publicly traded company.
(D)They are not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property.
(2)Eligible tenant buyer means a natural person who at the time of the trustees sale:
(A)Is occupying the real property as their primary residence.
(B)Is occupying the real property under a rental or lease agreement entered into as the result of an arms-length transaction with the mortgagor or trustor, or with the mortgagor or trustors predecessor in interest, on a date prior to the recording of the notice of default against the property, and who attaches evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy to the affidavit or declaration required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(C)Is not the mortgagor or trustor, or the child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(D)Is not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property. Submission of a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) does not violate this subparagraph.
(E)Has not filed a petition under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code at any time during the period from the date of the trustees sale of the property to the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday.
(3)Eligible bidder means any of the following:
(A)An eligible tenant buyer.
(B)A prospective owner-occupant.
(C)A nonprofit association, nonprofit corporation, or cooperative corporation in which an eligible tenant buyer is a voting member or director.
(D)An eligible nonprofit corporation with all of the following attributes:
(i)It has a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service affirming its tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation as that term is defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(ii)It has its principal place of business in California.
(iii)The primary residences of all board members are located in California.
(iv)One of its primary activities is the development and preservation of affordable rental or homeownership housing in California.
(v)It is registered and in good standing with the Attorney Generals Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, pursuant to the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act (Article 7 (commencing with Section 12580) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(E)A limited liability company wholly owned by one or more eligible nonprofit corporations as described in subparagraph (C) or (D).
(F)A community land trust, as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(G)A limited-equity housing cooperative as defined in Section 817.
(H)The state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, or public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.
(4)Evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy means a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement or, if a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement is not available, then one of the following:
(A)Evidence of rent payments made for the property by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(B)Copies of utility bills for the property payable by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(b)This section does not prevent an eligible tenant buyer who meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) from being deemed a prospective owner-occupant.
(c)A trustees sale of property under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage on real property containing one to four residential units pursuant to Section 2924g shall not be deemed final until the earliest of the following:
(1)If a prospective owner-occupant is the last and highest bidder at the trustees sale, the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 2924h for the sale to become final are met. The prospective owner-occupant shall submit to the trustee the affidavit or declaration described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) at the trustees sale or to the trustee by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustees sale.
(2)Fifteen days after the trustees sale unless at least one eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder submits to the trustee either a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) or a nonbinding written notice of intent to place such a bid. The bid or written notice of intent to place a bid shall:
(A)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(B)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the person or entity submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent belongs and stating that the person meets the criteria for that category. If the winning bid is placed by an eligible bidder described in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the affidavit or declaration shall affirm the bidders duty to comply with subdivision (a) of Section 2924o for the benefit of tenants occupying the property.
(C)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(D)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent.
(3)(A)The date upon which a representative of all of the eligible tenant buyers submits to the trustee a bid in an amount equal to the full amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. This bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date and shall date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, stating that the persons represented meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), and that the persons represented are all of the eligible tenant buyers.
(iii)Meet either of the following criteria:
(I)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(II)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if at least one of the eligible tenant buyers submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to place a bid pursuant to paragraph (2).
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(v)Be limited to a single bid amount and not contain instructions for successive bid amounts.
(B)If the conditions in this paragraph are satisfied, the eligible tenant buyers shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale.
(4)(A)Forty-five days after the trustees sale, except that during the 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit to the trustee a bid in an amount that exceeds the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. The bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs and stating that the eligible bidder meets the criteria for that category.
(iii)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if the eligible bidder submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2). Notwithstanding clause (i), on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee under this clause, the trustee shall not receive any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(B)As of 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, if one or more eligible bidders has submitted a bid that meets the conditions in this paragraph, the eligible bidder that submitted the highest bid shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale. The trustee shall return any losing bid to the eligible bidder that submitted it.
(d)The trustee may reasonably rely on affidavits and declarations regarding bidder eligibility received under this section. The affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder shall be attached as an exhibit to the trustees deed and recorded.
(e)If the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) for a sale to be deemed final are not met, then:
(1)Not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g, the trustee or an authorized agent shall post on the internet website set forth on the notice of sale, as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f, the following information:
(A)The date on which the trustees sale took place.
(B)The amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale.
(C)An address at which the trustee can receive documents sent by United States mail and by a method of delivery providing for overnight delivery.
(2)The information required to be posted on the internet website under paragraph (1) shall also be made available not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g by calling the telephone number set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(3)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available using the file number assigned to the case that is set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(4)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available for a period of not less than 45 days after the sale of property under Section 2924g.
(5)A disruption of any of these methods of providing the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of this subdivision.
(6)The information to be provided by the trustee to eligible bidders or to persons considering whether to submit a bid or notice of intent to bid pursuant to this section is limited to the information set forth in paragraph (1).
(f)Title to the property shall remain with the mortgagor or trustor until the property sale is deemed final as provided in this section.
(g)A prospective owner-occupant shall not be in violation of this section if a legal owners compliance with the requirements of Section 2924n renders them unable to occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(h)This section shall prevail over any conflicting provision of Section 2924h.
(i)For trustees sales where the winning bidder is an eligible bidder under this section, the trustee or an authorized agent shall electronically send the following information to the office of the Attorney General within 15 days of the sale being deemed final:
(1)The dates when the trustees sale took place and when it was deemed final.
(2)The name of the winning bidder.
(3)The street address and assessors parcel number of the subject property.
(4)A copy of the trustees deed, as recorded, including the attached affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder.
(5)The category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs.
(j)The Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a district attorney may bring an action for specific performance or any other remedy at equity or at law to enforce this section.
(k)The Department of Justice shall include a summary of information contained in the reports received pursuant to subdivision (i) in a searchable repository on its official internet website.
(l)The pendency of a determination of finality under subdivision (c) shall not cause termination of any hazard insurance coverage in effect at the time of the trustees sale.
(m)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(a)When a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall promptly establish a single point of contact and provide to the borrower one or more direct means of communication with the single point of contact.
(b)The single point of contact shall be responsible for doing all of the following:
(1)Communicating the process by which a borrower may apply for an available foreclosure prevention alternative and the deadline for any required submissions to be considered for these options.
(2)Coordinating receipt of all documents associated with available foreclosure prevention alternatives and notifying the borrower of any missing documents necessary to complete the application.
(3)Having access to current information and personnel sufficient to timely, accurately, and adequately inform the borrower of the current status of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
(4)Ensuring that a borrower is considered for all foreclosure prevention alternatives offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer, if any.
(5)Having access to individuals with the ability and authority to stop foreclosure proceedings when necessary.
(c)The single point of contact shall remain assigned to the borrowers account until the mortgage servicer determines that all loss mitigation options offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer have been exhausted or the borrowers account becomes current.
(d)The mortgage servicer shall ensure that a single point of contact refers and transfers a borrower to an appropriate supervisor upon request of the borrower, if the single point of contact has a supervisor.
(e)For purposes of this section, single point of contact means an individual or team of personnel each of whom has the ability and authority to perform the responsibilities described in subdivisions (b) to (d), inclusive. The mortgage servicer shall ensure that each member of the team is knowledgeable about the borrowers situation and current status in the alternatives to foreclosure process.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(g)(1)This section shall not apply to any either of the following:
(A)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(B)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.(C)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.(D)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.(B)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(2)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in subparagraph (A) of paragraph (1), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to this section, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
SEC. 4.Section 2924.9 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.9.(a)Unless a borrower has previously exhausted the first lien loan modification process offered by, or through, their mortgage servicer described in Section 2923.6, within five business days after recording a notice of default pursuant to Section 2924, a mortgage servicer that offers one or more foreclosure prevention alternatives shall send a written communication to the borrower that includes all of the following information:(1)That the borrower may be evaluated for a foreclosure prevention alternative or, if applicable, foreclosure prevention alternatives.(2)Whether an application is required to be submitted by the borrower in order to be considered for a foreclosure prevention alternative.(3)The means and process by which a borrower may obtain an application for a foreclosure prevention alternative.(b)This section shall not apply to any of the following:(1)Entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.(2)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.(3)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.(4)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.(c)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.SEC. 5.Section 2924.10 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.10.(a)When a borrower submits a complete first lien modification application or any document in connection with a first lien modification application, the mortgage servicer shall provide written acknowledgment of the receipt of the documentation within five business days of receipt. In its initial acknowledgment of receipt of the loan modification application, the mortgage servicer shall include the following information:(1)A description of the loan modification process, including an estimate of when a decision on the loan modification will be made after a complete application has been submitted by the borrower and the length of time the borrower will have to consider an offer of a loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative.(2)Any deadlines, including deadlines to submit missing documentation, that would affect the processing of a first lien loan modification application.(3)Any expiration dates for submitted documents.(4)Any deficiency in the borrowers first lien loan modification application.(b)For purposes of this section, a borrowers first lien loan modification application shall be deemed to be complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.(c)This section shall not apply to any of the following:(1)Entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.(2)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.(3)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.(4)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.(d)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.SEC. 6.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code 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 any of the following:(1)Entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.(2)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.(3)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.(4)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.SEC. 7.Section 2924.12 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.12.(a)(1)If a trustees deed upon sale has not been recorded, a borrower may bring an action for injunctive relief to enjoin a material violation of Section 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, or 2924.17.(2)Any injunction shall remain in place and any trustees sale shall be enjoined until the court determines that the mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent has corrected and remedied the violation or violations giving rise to the action for injunctive relief. An enjoined entity may move to dissolve an injunction based on a showing that the material violation has been corrected and remedied.(b)After a trustees deed upon sale has been recorded, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall be liable to a borrower for actual economic damages pursuant to Section 3281, resulting from a material violation of Section 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, or 2924.17 by that mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent where the violation was not corrected and remedied prior to the recordation of the trustees deed upon sale. If the court finds that the material violation was intentional or reckless, or resulted from willful misconduct by a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent, the court may award the borrower the greater of treble actual damages or statutory damages of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).(c)A mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not be liable for any violation that it has corrected and remedied prior to the recordation of the trustees deed upon sale, or that has been corrected and remedied by third parties working on its behalf prior to the recordation of the trustees deed upon sale.(d)A violation of Section 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, or 2924.17 by a person licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation or the Department of Real Estate shall be deemed to be a violation of that persons licensing law.(e)No violation of this article shall affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser and any of its encumbrancers for value without notice.(f)A third-party encumbrancer shall not be relieved of liability resulting from violations of Section 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, or 2924.17 committed by that third-party encumbrancer, that occurred prior to the sale of the subject property to the bona fide purchaser.(g)The rights, remedies, and procedures provided by this section are in addition to and independent of any other rights, remedies, or procedures under any other law. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter, limit, or negate any other rights, remedies, or procedures provided by law.(h)A court may award a prevailing borrower reasonable attorneys fees and costs in an action brought pursuant to this section. A borrower shall be deemed to have prevailed for purposes of this subdivision if the borrower obtained injunctive relief or was awarded damages pursuant to this section.(i)This section shall not apply to any of the following:(1)Entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.(2)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.(3)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.(4)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.SEC. 8.SEC. 2.Section 2924.15 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.15.(a)Unless otherwise provided, paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 2924 and Sections 2923.5, 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.18 shall apply only to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units.
(b)For purposes of this section, owner-occupied means that the property is the principal residence of the borrower and is security for a loan made for personal, family, or household purposes.
SEC. 9.SEC. 3.Section 2924.18 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.18.(a)(1)If a borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification offered by, or through, the borrowers mortgage servicer at least five business days before a scheduled foreclosure sale, a mortgage servicer, trustee, mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default, notice of sale, or conduct a trustees sale while the complete first lien loan modification application is pending, and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination by the mortgage servicer regarding that borrowers eligibility for the requested loan modification.
(2)If a foreclosure prevention alternative has been 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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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.
(3)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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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)(1)This section shall apply only to a to both of the following:
(1)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(2)This section shall not apply to persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to any of the following:(A)Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.(B)Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.(C)Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.(2)A person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
(c)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to Sections 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.12, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
(d)For purposes of this section, an application shall be deemed complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.
(e)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of the 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.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
SEC. 10.SEC. 4.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 their 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 Financial Protection and Innovation 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, unless the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
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)(1)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 an amount as follows:
(A)If the unpaid principal sum secured is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less, then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).
(B)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) but does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(C)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) but does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(D)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(2)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 in this subdivision. 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. 11.SEC. 5.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 5 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)(A)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(B)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed to the next business day at the same time and location.
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, (A) any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale, (B) the first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement, and (C) each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)Notwithstanding any other law, a sale of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be subject to the following restriction: a trustee shall not bundle properties for the purpose of sale and each property shall be bid on separately, unless the deed of trust or mortgage requires otherwise.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 12.SEC. 6.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 6 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, all of the following conditions apply:
(A)Any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale.
(B)The first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement.
(C)Each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed to the next business day at the same time and location.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 13.SEC. 7.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 7 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 21 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 21st day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 21st day. If an eligible bidder submits a written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 2924m, the trustees sale shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 60 calendar days after the sale or the next business day following the 60th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 60th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)Except as specifically provided in Section 2924m, in the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(i)The amendments made to this section by the bill adding this subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2022.
SEC. 14.SEC. 8.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 8 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale, the trustee shall have the right to require any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 15 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 15th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)In the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 15.SEC. 9.Section 2924m of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924m.(a)For purposes of this section:
(1)Prospective owner-occupant means a natural person who presents to the trustee an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that:
(A)They will occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(B)They will maintain their occupancy for at least one year.
(C)They are not any of the following:
(i)The mortgagor or trustor.
(ii)The child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(iii)The grantor of a living trust that was named in the title to the property when the notice of default was recorded.
(iv)An employee, officer, or member of the mortgagor or trustor.
(v)A person with an ownership interest in the mortgagor, unless the mortgagor is a publicly traded company.
(D)They are not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property.
(2)Eligible tenant buyer means a natural person who at the time of the trustees sale:
(A)Is occupying the real property as their primary residence.
(B)Is occupying the real property under a rental or lease agreement entered into as the result of an arms-length transaction with the mortgagor or trustor, or with the mortgagor or trustors predecessor in interest, on a date prior to the recording of the notice of default against the property, and who attaches evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy to the affidavit or declaration required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(C)Is not the mortgagor or trustor, or the child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(D)Is not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property. Submission of a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) does not violate this subparagraph.
(E)Has not filed a petition under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code at any time during the period from the date of the trustees sale of the property to the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday.
(3)Eligible bidder means any of the following:
(A)An eligible tenant buyer.
(B)A prospective owner-occupant.
(C)A nonprofit association, nonprofit corporation, or cooperative corporation in which an eligible tenant buyer is a voting member or director.
(D)An eligible nonprofit corporation with all of the following attributes:
(i)It has a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service affirming its tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation as that term is defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(ii)It has its principal place of business in California.
(iii)The primary residences of all board members are located in California.
(iv)One of its primary activities is the development and preservation of affordable rental or homeownership housing in California.
(v)It is registered and in good standing with the Attorney Generals Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, pursuant to the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act (Article 7 (commencing with Section 12580) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(E)A limited liability company wholly owned by one or more eligible nonprofit corporations as described in subparagraph (C) or (D).
(F)A community land trust, as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(G)A limited-equity housing cooperative as defined in Section 817.
(H)The state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, or public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.
(4)Evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy means a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement or, if a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement is not available, then one of the following:
(A)Evidence of rent payments made for the property by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(B)Copies of utility bills for the property payable by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(b)This section does not prevent an eligible tenant buyer who meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) from being deemed a prospective owner-occupant.
(c)A trustees sale of property under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage on real property containing one to four residential units pursuant to Section 2924g shall not be deemed final until the earliest of the following:
(1)If a prospective owner-occupant is the last and highest bidder at the trustees sale, the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 2924h for the sale to become final are met. The prospective owner-occupant shall submit to the trustee the affidavit or declaration described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) at the trustees sale or to the trustee by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustees sale.
(2)Fifteen days after the trustees sale unless at least one eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder submits to the trustee either a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) or a nonbinding written notice of intent to place such a bid. The bid or written notice of intent to place a bid shall:
(A)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(B)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the person or entity submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent belongs and stating that the person meets the criteria for that category. If the winning bid is placed by an eligible bidder described in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the affidavit or declaration shall affirm the bidders duty to comply with subdivision (a) of Section 2924o for the benefit of tenants occupying the property.
(C)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(D)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent.
(3)(A)The date upon which a representative of all of the eligible tenant buyers submits to the trustee a bid in an amount equal to the full amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. This bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date and shall
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, stating that the persons represented meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), and that the persons represented are all of the eligible tenant buyers.
(iii)Meet either of the following criteria:
(I)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(II)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if at least one of the eligible tenant buyers submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to place a bid pursuant to paragraph (2).
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(v)Be limited to a single bid amount and not contain instructions for successive bid amounts.
(B)If the conditions in this paragraph are satisfied, the eligible tenant buyers shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale.
(4)(A)Forty-five days after the trustees sale, except that during the 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit to the trustee a bid in an amount that exceeds the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. The bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs and stating that the eligible bidder meets the criteria for that category.
(iii)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if the eligible bidder submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2). Notwithstanding clause (i), on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee under this clause, the trustee shall not receive any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(B)As of 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, if one or more eligible bidders has submitted a bid that meets the conditions in this paragraph, the eligible bidder that submitted the highest bid shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale. The trustee shall return any losing bid to the eligible bidder that submitted it.
(d)The trustee may reasonably rely on affidavits and declarations regarding bidder eligibility received under this section. The affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder shall be attached as an exhibit to the trustees deed and recorded.
(e)If the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) for a sale to be deemed final are not met, then:
(1)Not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g, the trustee or an authorized agent shall post on the internet website set forth on the notice of sale, as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f, the following information:
(A)The date on which the trustees sale took place.
(B)The amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale.
(C)An address at which the trustee can receive documents sent by United States mail and by a method of delivery providing for overnight delivery.
(2)The information required to be posted on the internet website under paragraph (1) shall also be made available not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g by calling the telephone number set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(3)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available using the file number assigned to the case that is set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(4)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available for a period of not less than 45 days after the sale of property under Section 2924g.
(5)A disruption of any of these methods of providing the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of this subdivision.
(6)The information to be provided by the trustee to eligible bidders or to persons considering whether to submit a bid or notice of intent to bid pursuant to this section is limited to the information set forth in paragraph (1).
(f)Title to the property shall remain with the mortgagor or trustor until the property sale is deemed final as provided in this section.
(g)A prospective owner-occupant shall not be in violation of this section if a legal owners compliance with the requirements of Section 2924n renders them unable to occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(h)This section shall prevail over any conflicting provision of Section 2924h.
(i)For trustees sales where the winning bidder is an eligible bidder under this section, the trustee or an authorized agent shall electronically send the following information to the office of the Attorney General within 15 days of the sale being deemed final:
(1)The dates when the trustees sale took place and when it was deemed final.
(2)The name of the winning bidder.
(3)The street address and assessors parcel number of the subject property.
(4)A copy of the trustees deed, as recorded, including the attached affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder.
(5)The category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs.
(j)The Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a district attorney may bring an action for specific performance or any other remedy at equity or at law to enforce this section.
(k)The Department of Justice shall include a summary of information contained in the reports received pursuant to subdivision (i) in a searchable repository on its official internet website.
(l)The pendency of a determination of finality under subdivision (c) shall not cause termination of any hazard insurance coverage in effect at the time of the trustees sale.
(m)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(a)A mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default pursuant to Section 2924 until all of the following:
(1)The mortgage servicer has satisfied the requirements of paragraph (1) of subdivision (b).
(2)Either 30 days after initial contact is made as required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (b) or 30 days after satisfying the due diligence requirements as described in subdivision (f).
(3)The mortgage servicer complies with subdivision (c) of Section 2923.6, if the borrower has provided a complete application as defined in subdivision (h) of Section 2923.6.
(b)(1)As specified in subdivision (a), a mortgage servicer shall send the following information in writing to the borrower:
(A)A statement that if the borrower is a servicemember or a dependent of a servicemember, he or she they may be entitled to certain protections under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (50 U.S.C. Sec. 3901 et seq.) regarding the servicemembers interest rate and the risk of foreclosure, and counseling for covered servicemembers that is available at agencies such as Military OneSource and Armed Forces Legal Assistance.
(B)A statement that the borrower may request the following:
(i)A copy of the borrowers promissory note or other evidence of indebtedness.
(ii)A copy of the borrowers deed of trust or mortgage.
(iii)A copy of any assignment, if applicable, of the borrowers mortgage or deed of trust required to demonstrate the right of the mortgage servicer to foreclose.
(iv)A copy of the borrowers payment history since the borrower was last less than 60 days past due.
(2)A mortgage servicer shall contact the borrower in person or by telephone in order to assess the borrowers financial situation and explore options for the borrower to avoid foreclosure. During the initial contact, the mortgage servicer shall advise the borrower that he or she has they have the right to request a subsequent meeting and, if requested, the mortgage servicer shall schedule the meeting to occur within 14 days. The assessment of the borrowers financial situation and discussion of options may occur during the first contact, or at the subsequent meeting scheduled for that purpose. In either case, the borrower shall be provided the toll-free telephone number made available by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to find a HUD-certified housing counseling agency. Any meeting may occur telephonically.
(c)A notice of default recorded pursuant to Section 2924 shall include a declaration that the mortgage servicer has contacted the borrower, has tried with due diligence to contact the borrower as required by this section, or that no contact was required because the individual did not meet the definition of borrower pursuant to subdivision (c) of Section 2920.5.
(d)A mortgage servicers loss mitigation personnel may participate by telephone during any contact required by this section.
(e)A borrower may designate, with consent given in writing, a HUD-certified housing counseling agency, attorney, or other adviser to discuss with the mortgage servicer, on the borrowers behalf, the borrowers financial situation and options for the borrower to avoid foreclosure. That contact made at the direction of the borrower shall satisfy the contact requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (b). Any foreclosure prevention alternative offered at the meeting by the mortgage servicer is subject to approval by the borrower.
(f)A notice of default may be recorded pursuant to Section 2924 when a mortgage servicer has not contacted a borrower as required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), provided that the failure to contact the borrower occurred despite the due diligence of the mortgage servicer. For purposes of this section, due diligence shall require and mean all of the following:
(1)A mortgage servicer shall first attempt to contact a borrower by sending a first-class letter that includes the toll-free telephone number made available by HUD to find a HUD-certified housing counseling agency.
(2)(A)After the letter has been sent, the mortgage servicer shall attempt to contact the borrower by telephone at least three times at different hours and on different days. Telephone calls shall be made to the primary telephone number on file.
(B)A mortgage servicer may attempt to contact a borrower using an automated system to dial borrowers, provided that, if the telephone call is answered, the call is connected to a live representative of the mortgage servicer.
(C)A mortgage servicer satisfies the telephone contact requirements of this paragraph:
(i)If it determines, after attempting contact pursuant to this paragraph, that the borrowers primary telephone number and secondary telephone number or numbers on file, if any, have been disconnected.
(ii)If the borrower or his or her their authorized agent notifies the mortgage servicer in writing to cease further communication with the borrower. The cease communication notification shall explicitly pertain to the mortgage loan account to be effective. The cease communication notification shall be effective until the borrower or his or her their authorized agent rescinds it in writing.
(3)If the borrower does not respond within two weeks after the telephone call requirements of paragraph (2) have been satisfied, the mortgage servicer shall then send a certified letter, with return receipt requested, that includes the toll-free telephone number made available by HUD to find a HUD-certified housing counseling agency.
(4)The mortgage servicer shall provide a means for the borrower to contact it in a timely manner, including a toll-free telephone number that will provide access to a live representative during business hours.
(5)The mortgage servicer has posted a prominent link on the homepage of its Internet Web site, internet website, if any, to the following information:
(A)Options that may be available to borrowers who are unable to afford their mortgage payments and who wish to avoid foreclosure, and instructions to borrowers advising them on steps to take to explore those options.
(B)A list of financial documents borrowers should collect and be prepared to present to the mortgage servicer when discussing options for avoiding foreclosure.
(C)A toll-free telephone number for borrowers who wish to discuss options for avoiding foreclosure with their mortgage servicer.
(D)The toll-free telephone number made available by HUD to find a HUD-certified housing counseling agency.
(g)This section shall not apply to entities any of the following:
(1)Entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(2)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.
(3)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.
(4)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.
(h)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
SEC. 2.Section 2923.6 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2923.6.(a)The Legislature finds and declares that any duty mortgage servicers may have to maximize net present value under their pooling and servicing agreements is owed to all parties in a loan pool, or to all investors under a pooling and servicing agreement, not to any particular party in the loan pool or investor under a pooling and servicing agreement, and that a mortgage servicer acts in the best interests of all parties to the loan pool or investors in the pooling and servicing agreement if it agrees to or implements a loan modification or workout plan for which both of the following apply:
(1)The loan is in payment default, or payment default is reasonably foreseeable.
(2)Anticipated recovery under the loan modification or workout plan exceeds the anticipated recovery through foreclosure on a net present value basis.
(b)It is the intent of the Legislature that the mortgage servicer offer the borrower a loan modification or workout plan if such a modification or plan is consistent with its contractual or other authority.
(c)If a borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification offered by, or through, the borrowers mortgage servicer at least five business days before a scheduled foreclosure sale, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default or notice of sale, or conduct a trustees sale, while the complete first lien loan modification application is pending. A mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default or notice of sale or conduct a trustees sale until any of the following occurs:
(1)The mortgage servicer makes a written determination that the borrower is not eligible for a first lien loan modification, and any appeal period pursuant to subdivision (d) has expired.
(2)The borrower does not accept an offered first lien loan modification within 14 days of the offer.
(3)The borrower accepts a written first lien loan modification, but defaults on, or otherwise breaches the borrowers obligations under, the first lien loan modification.
(d)If the borrowers application for a first lien loan modification is denied, the borrower shall have at least 30 days from the date of the written denial to appeal the denial and to provide evidence that the mortgage servicers determination was in error.
(e)If the borrowers application for a first lien loan modification is denied, the mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default or, if a notice of default has already been recorded, record a notice of sale or conduct a trustees sale until the later of:
(1)Thirty-one days after the borrower is notified in writing of the denial.
(2)If the borrower appeals the denial pursuant to subdivision (d), the later of 15 days after the denial of the appeal or 14 days after a first lien loan modification is offered after appeal but declined by the borrower, or, if a first lien loan modification is offered and accepted after appeal, the date on which the borrower fails to timely submit the first payment or otherwise breaches the terms of the offer.
(f)Following the denial of a first lien loan modification application, the mortgage servicer shall send a written notice to the borrower identifying the reasons for denial, including the following:
(1)The amount of time from the date of the denial letter in which the borrower may request an appeal of the denial of the first lien loan modification and instructions regarding how to appeal the denial.
(2)If the denial was based on investor disallowance, the specific reasons for the investor disallowance.
(3)If the denial is the result of a net present value calculation, the monthly gross income and property value used to calculate the net present value and a statement that the borrower may obtain all of the inputs used in the net present value calculation upon written request to the mortgage servicer.
(4)If applicable, a finding that the borrower was previously offered a first lien loan modification and failed to successfully make payments under the terms of the modified loan.
(5)If applicable, a description of other foreclosure prevention alternatives for which the borrower may be eligible, and a list of the steps the borrower must take in order to be considered for those options. If the mortgage servicer has already approved the borrower for another foreclosure prevention alternative, information necessary to complete the foreclosure prevention alternative.
(g)In order to minimize the risk of borrowers submitting multiple applications for first lien loan modifications for the purpose of delay, the mortgage servicer shall not be obligated to evaluate applications from borrowers who have been evaluated or afforded a fair opportunity to be evaluated consistent with the requirements of this section, unless there has been a material change in the borrowers financial circumstances since the date of the borrowers previous application and that change is documented by the borrower and submitted to the mortgage servicer.
(h)For purposes of this section, an application shall be deemed complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.
(i)(1)Subdivisions (c) to (h), inclusive, shall not apply to entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(2)This section shall not apply to persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to any of the following:
(A)Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.
(B)Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.
(C)Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.
(j)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
SEC. 3.Section 2923.7 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2923.7.(a)When a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer shall promptly establish a single point of contact and provide to the borrower one or more direct means of communication with the single point of contact.
(b)The single point of contact shall be responsible for doing all of the following:
(1)Communicating the process by which a borrower may apply for an available foreclosure prevention alternative and the deadline for any required submissions to be considered for these options.
(2)Coordinating receipt of all documents associated with available foreclosure prevention alternatives and notifying the borrower of any missing documents necessary to complete the application.
(3)Having access to current information and personnel sufficient to timely, accurately, and adequately inform the borrower of the current status of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
(4)Ensuring that a borrower is considered for all foreclosure prevention alternatives offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer, if any.
(5)Having access to individuals with the ability and authority to stop foreclosure proceedings when necessary.
(c)The single point of contact shall remain assigned to the borrowers account until the mortgage servicer determines that all loss mitigation options offered by, or through, the mortgage servicer have been exhausted or the borrowers account becomes current.
(d)The mortgage servicer shall ensure that a single point of contact refers and transfers a borrower to an appropriate supervisor upon request of the borrower, if the single point of contact has a supervisor.
(e)For purposes of this section, single point of contact means an individual or team of personnel each of whom has the ability and authority to perform the responsibilities described in subdivisions (b) to (d), inclusive. The mortgage servicer shall ensure that each member of the team is knowledgeable about the borrowers situation and current status in the alternatives to foreclosure process.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
(g)(1)This section shall not apply to a any of the following:
(A)A depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(B)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.
(C)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.
(D)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.
(2)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in paragraph (1) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in paragraph (1), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to this section, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
SEC. 4.Section 2924.9 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.9.(a)Unless a borrower has previously exhausted the first lien loan modification process offered by, or through, his or her their mortgage servicer described in Section 2923.6, within five business days after recording a notice of default pursuant to Section 2924, a mortgage servicer that offers one or more foreclosure prevention alternatives shall send a written communication to the borrower that includes all of the following information:
(1)That the borrower may be evaluated for a foreclosure prevention alternative or, if applicable, foreclosure prevention alternatives.
(2)Whether an application is required to be submitted by the borrower in order to be considered for a foreclosure prevention alternative.
(3)The means and process by which a borrower may obtain an application for a foreclosure prevention alternative.
(b)This section shall not apply to entities any of the following:
(1)Entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(2)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.
(3)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.
(4)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.
(c)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
SEC. 5.Section 2924.10 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.10.(a)When a borrower submits a complete first lien modification application or any document in connection with a first lien modification application, the mortgage servicer shall provide written acknowledgment of the receipt of the documentation within five business days of receipt. In its initial acknowledgment of receipt of the loan modification application, the mortgage servicer shall include the following information:
(1)A description of the loan modification process, including an estimate of when a decision on the loan modification will be made after a complete application has been submitted by the borrower and the length of time the borrower will have to consider an offer of a loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative.
(2)Any deadlines, including deadlines to submit missing documentation, that would affect the processing of a first lien loan modification application.
(3)Any expiration dates for submitted documents.
(4)Any deficiency in the borrowers first lien loan modification application.
(b)For purposes of this section, a borrowers first lien loan modification application shall be deemed to be complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.
(c)This section shall not apply to entities any of the following:
(1)Entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(2)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.
(3)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.
(4)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.
(d)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
SEC. 6.Section 2924.11 of the Civil Code 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 any of the following:
(1)Entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(2)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.
(3)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.
(4)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.
SEC. 7.Section 2924.12 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.12.(a)(1)If a trustees deed upon sale has not been recorded, a borrower may bring an action for injunctive relief to enjoin a material violation of Section 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, or 2924.17.
(2)Any injunction shall remain in place and any trustees sale shall be enjoined until the court determines that the mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent has corrected and remedied the violation or violations giving rise to the action for injunctive relief. An enjoined entity may move to dissolve an injunction based on a showing that the material violation has been corrected and remedied.
(b)After a trustees deed upon sale has been recorded, a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall be liable to a borrower for actual economic damages pursuant to Section 3281, resulting from a material violation of Section 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, or 2924.17 by that mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent where the violation was not corrected and remedied prior to the recordation of the trustees deed upon sale. If the court finds that the material violation was intentional or reckless, or resulted from willful misconduct by a mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent, the court may award the borrower the greater of treble actual damages or statutory damages of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(c)A mortgage servicer, mortgagee, trustee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not be liable for any violation that it has corrected and remedied prior to the recordation of the trustees deed upon sale, or that has been corrected and remedied by third parties working on its behalf prior to the recordation of the trustees deed upon sale.
(d)A violation of Section 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, or 2924.17 by a person licensed by the Department of Financial Protection and Innovation or the Department of Real Estate shall be deemed to be a violation of that persons licensing law.
(e)No violation of this article shall affect the validity of a sale in favor of a bona fide purchaser and any of its encumbrancers for value without notice.
(f)A third-party encumbrancer shall not be relieved of liability resulting from violations of Section 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, or 2924.17 committed by that third-party encumbrancer, that occurred prior to the sale of the subject property to the bona fide purchaser.
(g)The rights, remedies, and procedures provided by this section are in addition to and independent of any other rights, remedies, or procedures under any other law. Nothing in this section shall be construed to alter, limit, or negate any other rights, remedies, or procedures provided by law.
(h)A court may award a prevailing borrower reasonable attorneys fees and costs in an action brought pursuant to this section. A borrower shall be deemed to have prevailed for purposes of this subdivision if the borrower obtained injunctive relief or was awarded damages pursuant to this section.
(i)This section shall not apply to entities any of the following:
(1)Entities described in subdivision (b) of Section 2924.18.
(2)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.
(3)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.
(4)Persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.
SEC. 8.Section 2924.15 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.15.(a)Unless otherwise provided, paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 2924 and Sections 2923.5, 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.18 shall apply only to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that meets either of the following conditions: is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units.
(1)(A)The first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units.(B)For purposes of this paragraph, owner-occupied means that the property is the principal residence of the borrower and is security for a loan made for personal, family, or household purposes.(2)The first lien mortgage or deed of trust is secured by residential real property that is occupied by a tenant and that contains no more than four dwelling units and meets all of the conditions described in subparagraph (B) and one of the conditions described in subparagraph (C).(A)For purposes of this paragraph:(i)Applicable lease means a lease entered pursuant to an arms length transaction before, and in effect on, March 4, 2020.(ii)Arms length transaction means a lease entered into in good faith and for valuable consideration that reflects the fair market value in the open market between informed and willing parties.(iii)Occupied by a tenant means that the property is the principal residence of a tenant.(B)To meet the conditions of this paragraph, a first lien mortgage or deed of trust shall have all of the following characteristics:(i)The property is owned by an individual who owns no more than three residential real properties, each of which contains no more than four dwelling units.(ii)The property shall have been occupied by a tenant pursuant to an applicable lease.(iii)A tenant occupying the property shall have been unable to pay rent due to a reduction in income resulting from COVID-19.(C)For a first lien mortgage or deed of trust to meet the conditions of this paragraph, the borrower shall satisfy either of the following characteristics:(i)The borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative before January 1, 2023.(ii)The borrower submits a completed application for a first lien loan modification before January 1, 2023, and, as of January 1, 2023, either the mortgage servicer has not yet determined whether the applicant is eligible for a first lien loan modification, or the appeal period for the mortgage servicers denial of the application has not yet expired.(D)Relief shall be available pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 2924 and Sections 2923.5, 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.18 for so long as the property remains occupied by a tenant pursuant to a lease entered into an arms length transaction.(b)This section shall become operative on January 1, 2023.(b)For purposes of this section, owner-occupied means that the property is the principal residence of the borrower and is security for a loan made for personal, family, or household purposes.
SEC. 9.Section 2924.18 of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924.18.(a)(1)If a borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification offered by, or through, the borrowers mortgage servicer at least five business days before a scheduled foreclosure sale, a mortgage servicer, trustee, mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not record a notice of default, notice of sale, or conduct a trustees sale while the complete first lien loan modification application is pending, and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination by the mortgage servicer regarding that borrowers eligibility for the requested loan modification.
(2)If a foreclosure prevention alternative has been 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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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.
(3)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:
(A)The borrower is in compliance with the terms of a written trial or permanent loan modification, forbearance, or repayment plan.
(B)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)(1)This section shall apply only to a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) or Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code, or a person licensed pursuant to Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code, that, during its immediately preceding annual reporting period, as established with its primary regulator, foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties, containing no more than four dwelling units, that are located in California.
(2)This section shall not apply to persons exempt from being licensed pursuant to any of the following:
(A)Division 9 (commencing with Section 22000) of the Financial Code.
(B)Division 20 (commencing with Section 50000) of the Financial Code.
(C)Part 1 (commencing with Section 10000) of Division 4 of the Business and Professions Code.
(c)Within three months after the close of any calendar year or annual reporting period as established with its primary regulator during which an entity or person described in subdivision (b) exceeds the threshold of 175 specified in subdivision (b), that entity shall notify its primary regulator, in a manner acceptable to its primary regulator, and any mortgagor or trustor who is delinquent on a residential mortgage loan serviced by that entity of the date on which that entity will be subject to Sections 2923.55, 2923.6, 2923.7, 2924.9, 2924.10, 2924.11, and 2924.12, which date shall be the first day of the first month that is six months after the close of the calendar year or annual reporting period during which that entity exceeded the threshold.
(d)For purposes of this section, an application shall be deemed complete when a borrower has supplied the mortgage servicer with all documents required by the mortgage servicer within the reasonable timeframes specified by the mortgage servicer.
(e)If a borrower has been approved in writing for a first lien loan modification or other foreclosure prevention alternative, and the servicing of the 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.
(f)This section shall apply only to mortgages or deeds of trust described in Section 2924.15.
SEC. 10.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 their 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 Financial Protection and Innovation 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. costs, unless the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
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)(1)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 an amount as follows:
(A)If the unpaid principal sum secured is fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or less, then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350).
(B)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) but does not exceed one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred fifty dollars ($350) plus one-half of 1 percent of the unpaid principal sum secured exceeding fifty thousand dollars ($50,000).
(C)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) but does not exceed five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(D)If the unpaid principal sum secured is greater than five hundred thousand dollars ($500,000), then in a base amount that does not exceed three hundred dollars ($300) 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).
(2)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 in this subdivision. 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. 11.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 5 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2)(A)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(B)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed to the next business day at the same time and location.
(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, (A) any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale, (B) the first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement, and (C) each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)Notwithstanding any other law, a sale of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be subject to the following restriction: a trustee shall not bundle properties for the purpose of sale and each property shall be bid on separately, unless the deed of trust or mortgage requires otherwise.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(f)(g)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
SEC. 12.Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 6 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924g.(a)(1)All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
The(2)The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
If(3)If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, (1) any all of the following conditions apply:
(A)Any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale, (2) the sale.
(B)The first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement, and (3) each postponement.
(C)Each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4)A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed to the next business day at the same time and location.
(b)When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c)(1)There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A)Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B)If stayed by operation of law.
(C)By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D)At the discretion of the trustee.
(E)If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2)In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d)(1)The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2)The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e)Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f)For purposes of this section, an act of force majeure means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustees control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(f)(g)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 13.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 7 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale sale, the trustee shall have the right (1) to require every any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale, and (2) to require the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 21 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 21st day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 21st day. If an eligible bidder submits a written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 2924m, the trustees sale shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 60 calendar days after the sale or the next business day following the 60th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 60th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)Except as specifically provided in Section 2924m, in the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
(i)The amendments made to this section by the bill adding this subdivision shall become operative on January 1, 2022.
SEC. 14.Section 2924h of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 8 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:2924h.(a)Each and every bid made by a bidder at a trustees sale under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage shall be deemed to be an irrevocable offer by that bidder to purchase the property being sold by the trustee under the power of sale for the amount of the bid. Any second or subsequent bid by the same bidder or any other bidder for a higher amount shall be a cancellation of the prior bid.
(b)At the trustees sale sale, the trustee shall have the right (1) to require every any of the following:
(1)Every bidder to show evidence of the bidders ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee prior to, and as a condition to, the recognizing of the bid, and to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale, and (2) to require the sale.
(2)Any bid that is not cash to be made directly payable to the trustee, if the requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale.
(3)The last and highest bidder to deposit, if not deposited previously, the full amount of the bidders final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, immediately prior to the completion of the sale, the completion of the sale being so announced by the fall of the hammer or in another customary manner. The present beneficiary of the deed of trust under foreclosure shall have the right to offset their bid or bids only to the extent of the total amount due the beneficiary including the trustees fees and expenses.
(c)In the event the trustee accepts a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association pursuant to this subdivision or a cash equivalent designated in the notice of sale, the trustee may withhold the issuance of the trustees deed to the successful bidder submitting the check drawn by a state or federal credit union or savings and loan association or the cash equivalent until funds become available to the payee or endorsee as a matter of right. The trustee may require the successful bidder to replace the check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent pursuant to this subdivision with a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent to this subdivision made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
For the purposes of this subdivision, the trustees sale shall be deemed final upon the acceptance of the last and highest bid, and shall be deemed perfected as of 8 a.m. on the actual date of sale if the trustees deed is recorded within 15 calendar days after the sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the county recorder in which the property is located is closed on the 15th day. However, the sale is subject to an automatic rescission for a failure of consideration in the event the funds are not available for withdrawal as defined in Section 12413.1 of the Insurance Code. The trustee shall send a notice of rescission for a failure of consideration to the last and highest bidder submitting the check or alternative instrument, if the address of the last and highest bidder is known to the trustee.
If a sale results in an automatic right of rescission for failure of consideration pursuant to this subdivision, the interest of any lienholder shall be reinstated in the same priority as if the previous sale had not occurred.
(d)If the trustee has not required the last and highest bidder to deposit the cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee in the manner set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (b), the trustee shall complete the sale. If the last and highest bidder then fails to deliver to the trustee, when demanded, the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be liable to the trustee for all damages which the trustee may sustain by the refusal to deliver to the trustee the amount of the final bid, including any court costs and reasonable attorneys fees.
If the last and highest bidder willfully fails to deliver to the trustee the amount of their final bid in cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent which has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, or if the last and highest bidder cancels a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state, or a cash equivalent that has been designated in the notice of sale as acceptable to the trustee, that bidder shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500).
In the event the last and highest bidder cancels an instrument submitted to the trustee as a cash equivalent, the trustee shall provide a new notice of sale in the manner set forth in Section 2924f and shall be entitled to recover the costs of the new notice of sale as provided in Section 2924c.
(e)Any postponement or discontinuance of the sale proceedings shall be a cancellation of the last bid.
(f)In the event that this section conflicts with any other statute, then this section shall prevail.
(g)It shall be unlawful for any person, acting alone or in concert with others, (1) to offer to accept or accept from another, any consideration of any type not to bid, or (2) to fix or restrain bidding in any manner, at a sale of property conducted pursuant to a power of sale in a deed of trust or mortgage. However, it shall not be unlawful for any person, including a trustee, to state that a property subject to a recorded notice of default or subject to a sale conducted pursuant to this chapter is being sold in an as-is condition.
In addition to any other remedies, any person committing any act declared unlawful by this subdivision or any act which would operate as a fraud or deceit upon any beneficiary, trustor, or junior lienor shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than ten thousand dollars ($10,000) or imprisoned in the county jail for not more than one year, or be punished by both that fine and imprisonment.
(h)This section shall be operative January 1, 2031.
SEC. 15.Section 2924m of the Civil Code is amended to read:2924m.(a)For purposes of this section:
(1)Prospective owner-occupant means a natural person who presents to the trustee an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, that:
(A)They will occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(B)They will maintain their occupancy for at least one year.
(C)They are not any of the following:
(i)The mortgagor or trustor.
(ii)The child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(iii)The grantor of a living trust that was named in the title to the property when the notice of default was recorded.
(iv)An employee, officer, or member of the mortgagor or trustor.
(v)A person with an ownership interest in the mortgagor, unless the mortgagor is a publicly traded company.
(D)They are not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property.
(2)Eligible tenant buyer means a natural person who at the time of the trustees sale:
(A)Is occupying the real property as their primary residence.
(B)Is occupying the real property under a rental or lease agreement entered into as the result of an arms-length transaction with the mortgagor or trustor, or with the mortgagor or trustors predecessor in interest, on a date prior to the recording of the notice of default against the property, and who attaches evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy to the affidavit or declaration required pursuant to subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c).
(C)Is not the mortgagor or trustor, or the child, spouse, or parent of the mortgagor or trustor.
(D)Is not acting as the agent of any other person or entity in purchasing the real property. Submission of a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) does not violate this subparagraph.
(E)Has not filed a petition under Chapter 7, 11, 12, or 13 of Title 11 of the United States Code at any time during the period from the date of the trustees sale of the property to the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday.
(3)Eligible bidder means any of the following:
(A)An eligible tenant buyer.
(B)A prospective owner-occupant.
(C)A nonprofit association, nonprofit corporation, or cooperative corporation in which an eligible tenant buyer is a voting member or director.
(D)An eligible nonprofit corporation with all of the following attributes:
(i)It has a determination letter from the Internal Revenue Service affirming its tax-exempt status pursuant to Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is not a private foundation as that term is defined in Section 509 of the Internal Revenue Code.
(ii)It has its principal place of business in California.
(iii)The primary residences of all board members are located in California.
(iv)One of its primary activities is the development and preservation of affordable rental or homeownership housing in California.
(v)It is registered and in good standing with the Attorney Generals Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, pursuant to the Supervision of Trustees and Fundraisers for Charitable Purposes Act (Article 7 (commencing with Section 12580) of Chapter 6 of Part 2 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code).
(E)A limited liability company wholly owned by one or more eligible nonprofit corporations as described in subparagraph (C) or (D).
(F)A community land trust, as defined in clause (ii) of subparagraph (C) of paragraph (11) of subdivision (a) of Section 402.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code.
(G)A limited-equity housing cooperative as defined in Section 817.
(H)The state, the Regents of the University of California, a county, city, district, public authority, or public agency, and any other political subdivision or public corporation in the state.
(4)Evidence demonstrating the existence of the tenancy means a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement or, if a copy of the dated and signed rental or lease agreement is not available, then one of the following:
(A)Evidence of rent payments made for the property by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(B)Copies of utility bills for the property payable by the person asserting that they are an eligible tenant buyer for the six months prior to the recording of the notice of default.
(b)This section does not prevent an eligible tenant buyer who meets the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) from being deemed a prospective owner-occupant.
(c)A trustees sale of property under a power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage on real property containing one to four residential units pursuant to Section 2924g shall not be deemed final until the earliest of the following:
(1)If a prospective owner-occupant is the last and highest bidder at the trustees sale, the date upon which the conditions set forth in Section 2924h for the sale to become final are met. The prospective owner-occupant shall submit to the trustee the affidavit or declaration described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) at the trustees sale or to the trustee by 5 p.m. on the next business day following the trustees sale.
(2)Fifteen days after the trustees sale unless at least one eligible tenant buyer or eligible bidder submits to the trustee either a bid pursuant to paragraph (3) or (4) or a nonbinding written notice of intent to place such a bid. The bid or written notice of intent to place a bid shall:
(A)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or other another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(B)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the person or entity submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent belongs and stating that the person meets the criteria for that category. If the winning bid is placed by an eligible bidder described in subparagraphs (C) to (G), inclusive, of paragraph (3) of subdivision (a), the affidavit or declaration shall affirm the bidders duty to comply with subdivision (a) of Section 2924o for the benefit of tenants occupying the property.
(C)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(D)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid or nonbinding written notice of intent.
(3)(A)The date upon which a representative of all of the eligible tenant buyers submits to the trustee a bid in an amount equal to the full amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. This bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or other another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date and shall
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, stating that the persons represented meet the criteria set forth in paragraph (2) of subdivision (a), and that the persons represented are all of the eligible tenant buyers.
(iii)Meet either of the following criteria:
(I)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 15th day after the trustees sale, the next business day following the 15th day if the 15th day is a weekend or holiday.
(II)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if at least one of the eligible tenant buyers submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to place a bid pursuant to paragraph (2).
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(v)Be limited to a single bid amount and not contain instructions for successive bid amounts.
(B)If the conditions in this paragraph are satisfied, the eligible tenant buyers shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale.
(4)(A)Forty-five days after the trustees sale, except that during the 45-day period, an eligible bidder may submit to the trustee a bid in an amount that exceeds the last and highest bid at the trustees sale, in the form of cash, a cashiers check drawn on a state or national bank, a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal credit union, or a cashiers check drawn by a state or federal savings and loan association, savings association, or savings bank specified in Section 5102 of the Financial Code and authorized to do business in this state. The bid shall:
(i)Be sent to the trustee by certified mail, overnight delivery, or other another method that allows for confirmation of the delivery date.
(ii)Be accompanied by an affidavit or declaration, pursuant to Section 2015.5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, identifying the category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs and stating that the eligible bidder meets the criteria for that category.
(iii)Be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, or the next business day following the 45th day if the 45th day is a weekend or holiday, if the eligible bidder submitted a nonbinding written notice of intent to bid pursuant to paragraph (2). Notwithstanding clause (i), on the last day that bids are eligible to be received by the trustee under this clause, the trustee shall not receive any bid that is not sent by certified mail or overnight mail. with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipients signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
(iv)Contain a current telephone number and return mailing address for the person submitting the bid.
(B)As of 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustees sale, if one or more eligible bidders has submitted a bid that meets the conditions in this paragraph, the eligible bidder that submitted the highest bid shall be deemed the last and highest bidder pursuant to the power of sale. The trustee shall return any losing bid to the eligible bidder that submitted it.
(d)The trustee may reasonably rely on affidavits and declarations regarding bidder eligibility received under this section. The affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder shall be attached as an exhibit to the trustees deed and recorded.
(e)If the conditions set forth in paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) for a sale to be deemed final are not met, then:
(1)Not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g, the trustee or an authorized agent shall post on the internet website set forth on the notice of sale, as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f, the following information:
(A)The date on which the trustees sale took place.
(B)The amount of the last and highest bid at the trustees sale.
(C)An address at which the trustee can receive documents sent by United States mail and by a method of delivery providing for overnight delivery.
(2)The information required to be posted on the internet website under paragraph (1) shall also be made available not later than 48 hours after the trustees sale of property under Section 2924g by calling the telephone number set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(3)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available using the file number assigned to the case that is set forth on the notice of sale as required under paragraph (8) of subdivision (b) of Section 2924f.
(4)The information required to be provided under paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be made available for a period of not less than 45 days after the sale of property under Section 2924g.
(5)A disruption of any of these methods of providing the information required under paragraphs (1) and (2) to allow for reasonable maintenance or due to a service outage shall not be deemed to be a violation of this subdivision.
(6)The information to be provided by the trustee to eligible bidders or to persons considering whether to submit a bid or notice of intent to bid pursuant to this section is limited to the information set forth in paragraph (1).
(f)Title to the property shall remain with the mortgagor or trustor until the property sale is deemed final as provided in this section.
(g)A prospective owner-occupant shall not be in violation of this section if a legal owners compliance with the requirements of Section 2924n renders them unable to occupy the property as their primary residence within 60 days of the trustees deed being recorded.
(h)This section shall prevail over any conflicting provision of Section 2924h.
(i)For trustees sales where the winning bidder is an eligible bidder under this section, the trustee or an authorized agent shall electronically send the following information to the office of the Attorney General within 15 days of the sale being deemed final:
(1)The dates when the trustees sale took place and when it was deemed final.
(2)The name of the winning bidder.
(3)The street address and assessors parcel number of the subject property.
(4)A copy of the trustees deed, as recorded, including the attached affidavit or declaration of the winning bidder.
(5)The category set forth in paragraph (3) of subdivision (a) to which the eligible bidder belongs.
(j)The Attorney General, a county counsel, a city attorney, or a district attorney may bring an action for specific performance or any other remedy at equity or at law to enforce this section.
(k)The Department of Justice shall include a summary of information contained in the reports received pursuant to subdivision (i) in a searchable repository on its official internet website.
(l)The pendency of a determination of finality under subdivision (c) shall not cause termination of any hazard insurance coverage in effect at the time of the trustees sale.
(m)This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
|
Date
|
Status
|
|---|---|
| Sep 25, 2024 | Chaptered by Secretary of State. Chapter 601, Statutes of 2024. |
| Sep 25, 2024 | Approved by the Governor. |
| Sep 4, 2024 | Enrolled and presented to the Governor at 4 p.m. |
| Aug 28, 2024 | Assembly amendments concurred in. (Ayes 39. Noes 0. Page 5614.) Ordered to engrossing and enrolling. |
| Aug 27, 2024 | Ordered to special consent calendar. |
| Aug 26, 2024 | In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending. |
| Aug 26, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 77. Noes 0. Page 6511.) Ordered to the Senate. |
| Aug 19, 2024 | Read third time and amended. |
| Aug 19, 2024 | Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 15, 2024 | Ordered to third reading. |
| Aug 15, 2024 | Action rescinded whereby bill was read third time, passed, and ordered to Senate. |
| Aug 5, 2024 | In Assembly. Held at Desk. |
| Aug 5, 2024 | Ordered to the Assembly. |
| Jul 1, 2024 | In Senate. Concurrence in Assembly amendments pending. |
| Jul 1, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 72. Noes 0. Page 6117.) Ordered to the Senate. |
| Jun 26, 2024 | Read second time. Ordered to consent calendar. |
| Jun 25, 2024 | From committee: Do pass. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0.) (June 25). |
| Jun 18, 2024 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. (Ayes 8. Noes 0.) (June 17). Re-referred to Com. on JUD. |
| Jun 3, 2024 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B. & F. |
| May 20, 2024 | Referred to Coms. on B. & F. and JUD. |
| May 9, 2024 | In Assembly. Read first time. Held at Desk. |
| May 9, 2024 | Read third time. Passed. (Ayes 37. Noes 0. Page 3872.) Ordered to the Assembly. |
| May 2, 2024 | Read second time and amended. Ordered to consent calendar. |
| May 1, 2024 | From committee: Do pass as amended. Ordered to consent calendar. (Ayes 11. Noes 0. Page 3820.) (April 30). |
| Apr 22, 2024 | Set for hearing April 30. |
| Apr 17, 2024 | From committee: Do pass and re-refer to Com. on JUD. with recommendation: To consent calendar. (Ayes 7. Noes 0. Page 3658.) (April 17). Re-referred to Com. on JUD. |
| Apr 5, 2024 | Set for hearing April 17. |
| Apr 1, 2024 | From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on B. & F.I. |
| Feb 21, 2024 | Referred to Coms. on B. & F.I. and JUD. |
| Feb 15, 2024 | From printer. May be acted upon on or after March 16. |
| Feb 14, 2024 | Introduced. Read first time. To Com. on RLS. for assignment. To print. |
|
Date
|
Description
|
Location
|
Votes
|
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 28, 2024 | Special Consent SB1146 Wilk | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Aug 26, 2024 | SB 1146 Wilk Senate Third Reading By Chen | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jul 1, 2024 | SB 1146 Wilk Consent Calendar Second Day Regular Session | Assembly Floor |
Passed |
|
| Jun 25, 2024 | Do pass. To Consent Calendar. | Assembly Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
|
| Jun 17, 2024 | Do pass and be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary] | Assembly Standing Committee on Banking and Finance |
Passed |
|
| May 9, 2024 | Consent Calendar 2nd SB1146 Wilk | Senate Floor |
Passed |
|
| Apr 30, 2024 | Do pass as amended, and be ordered to the Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Judiciary |
Passed |
|
| Apr 17, 2024 | Do pass, but first be re-referred to the Committee on [Judiciary] with the recommendation: To Consent Calendar | Senate Standing Committee on Banking and Financial Institutions |
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.
|
Organization
|
Position
|
Date
|
|---|---|---|
| California Association Of Realtors | ** Support | |
| California Mortgage Association | ** Support | |
| United Trustees Association | ** Support |
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SB 1146 |
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 1146
Author: Wilk (R)
Amended: 8/19/24
Vote: 21
SENATE BANKING & F.I. COMMITTEE: 7-0, 4/17/24
AYES: Limón, Niello, Bradford, Caballero, Min, Nguyen, Portantino
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: 11-0, 4/30/24
AYES: Umberg, Wilk, Allen, Blakespear, Caballero, Dodd, Durazo, Laird, Min, Niello, Wiener
SENATE FLOOR: 37-0, 5/9/24 (Consent)
AYES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
NO VOTE RECORDED: Grove, Min, Padilla
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 7/1/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Mortgages
SOURCE: California Mortgage Association
DIGEST:
This bill makes technical and clarifying changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and non-judicial foreclosure processes.
Assembly Amendments
clarify an ambiguity related to how state usury law applies to the modification of a real estate loan and make technical changes to conform with a recently enacted urgency measure that amended code sections included in the bill.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Requires a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Exempts from this requirement the following categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2923.7)
- Prohibits certain mortgage servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the servicer from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative. This section applies to categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2924.18)
- Extended specified protections provided by the Homeowner Bill of Rights to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023. (Civil Code Section 2924.15(a)(2))
- Requires a trustee to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default. (Civil Code Section 2924c(a)(2))
- Specifies the process for a trustee’s sale, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sales, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced. (Civil Code Section 2924g)
- Authorizes a trustee to require specified conditions related to bidders at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924h(b) and (c))
- Provides a process for a specified eligible bidder or eligible tenant buyer to meet or exceed the highest bid at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924m)
This bill:
- Adds the following exemption to the provision requiring a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified: a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
- Provides that a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential property in a calendar year is prohibited from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the person or entity from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
- Deletes specified provisions of the Homeowner Bill of Rights that pertained to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023.
- Clarifies that a trustee is not required to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default, if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
- Authorizes a trustee to postpone a sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale.
- Provides that such a sale be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
- Defines “an act of force majeure” to mean an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustee’s control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
- Exempts a sale postponed because of an act of force majeure from requiring a trustee to give a specified public declaration.
- Authorizes a trustee, in conducting a trustee’s sale:
- To require a noncash bid to be made directly to the trustee, if that requirement is set for by the trustee in the notice of sale.
- To require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
- Prohibits a trustee, in relation to a bid from an eligible bidder during the 45 days after a trustee’s sale, from receiving any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the U.S. Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Comments
Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 6 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale. This bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HBOR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California.”
Background
This bill makes disparate technical changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and to the procedures governing a trustee sale, which is one of the last steps in California’s non-judicial foreclosure process. The provisions of this bill are intended to be noncontroversial and clarifying. This bill proposes the following changes to existing law.
HBOR clarifications. In the aftermath of the 2007 subprime mortgage meltdown, California enacted various protections intended to prevent avoidable foreclosures. These protections generally took the form of procedural requirements placed on mortgage servicers before the completion of a non-judicial foreclosure. Some requirements applied to all mortgage servicers, while others applied differentially based on whether a mortgage servicer had foreclosed on more than 175 homes in the past year (“larger servicers”).
The drafting of the 175-foreclosure threshold presumed that any person subject to the law would be either a chartered depository institution or a licensed lender. This presumption failed to recognize that California law allows for de minimis mortgage lending that does not require a person to first obtain a license. For example, the Real Estate Law establishes a threshold of eight or more loans in a calendar year as one condition that could trigger a real estate broker to be required to have a license.
This bill clarifies that two HBOR provisions apply to unlicensed lenders who make and service fewer than eight loans per year in the same manner as those provisions apply to licensed mortgage servicers who foreclose on no more than 175 properties in year (“smaller servicers”). The first provision is a requirement that larger servicers must assign a single point of contact to a borrower when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative. Like smaller servicers, a person making seven or fewer loans would not be required to comply with this requirement. The second provision is a prohibition on smaller servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process when a loan modification request is being processed or when a borrower is in compliance with a foreclosure prevention alternative. These tiny unlicensed servicers would similarly be prohibited from the same activity.
This bill also deletes vestigial provisions that temporarily extended HBOR protections to properties owned by small landlords during the pandemic. Those provisions were enacted in 2020 with a sunset date of January 1, 2023.
Force majeure. This bill establishes procedures for the postponement of a trustee sale if an act of force majeure prevents access to the location of the sale. The doctrine of force majeure refers to an unexpected, impossible to overcome interference that effectively prevents at least one party to a contract from performing their duties under the contract. Such interference includes acts of God, like fire or flood, but can also include civil disorder or infrastructure failures (e.g., transportation delay or failure).
Trustee sales take place at the time and location specified in the notice of sale, as required by state law. In many cases, these sales take place on the courthouse steps in the county where the property is located. Any postponement is required to be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. So, what happens if a trustee is unable to access the sale location at the time of sale? As an example, protests have disrupted a scheduled trustee sale, making it impossible to conduct the required auction. It is also easy to imagine a fire, flood, or earthquake making it impossible to conduct a sale at the specified time and place. To address these unexpected events that cannot be avoided or prevented, this bill specifies that, if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale, then the sale is postponed seven days at the same time and location.
Method of payment. Existing law provides that a trustee, in conducting a trustee sale, may require a bidder to show evidence of the bidder’s ability to pay the full amount of their bid in cash or check and for the trustee to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale. Under procedures in place today, a bidder may provide checks or cashier’s checks made payable to the bidder themselves or to “cash.” Some financial institutions have been reluctant to accept checks made payable to the bidder or to cash, making it difficult for the trustee to access funds, likely due to fraud mitigation practices employed by those financial institutions. This bill proposes to authorize a trustee to require that such checks be made payable to the trustee, so that the trustee does not have problems accessing funds necessary to complete the sale process.
Eligible bids in the post-auction bidding window. The state of California recently enacted laws that allow certain tenant buyers, prospective owner-occupants, and certain nonprofits to match or exceed the highest bid at a trustee sale, providing opportunities for homeownership or the preservation of affordable rental housing that would otherwise be unlikely if the trustee sale concluded with the highest bid at auction. The process for post-auction bids is relatively new, established through legislation in 2020 that was subsequently clarified and added to in 2022.
According to the United Trustees Association, these new laws have created an environment “where trustee’s sale bidders, alleged nonprofits, and prospective owner-occupants are parsing every word of the statute, seeking to advantage themselves and suing or threatening to sue the trustee over any perceived ambiguity.” This bill seeks to address one remaining source of ambiguity: the methods by which a trustee may accept a bid on the last day that bids are eligible to be received. The amendment clarifies that the bid must be sent by certified mail with the US Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Clarification of how usury law applies to certain mortgage loan modifications. A recently decided court case, in an unpublished decision, found that an exemption in state usury law does not apply to a mortgage loan modification that is arranged by a real estate broker that is different from the real estate broker who arranged the purchase of the property. This bill clarifies that a statutory exemption from state usury law applies to a forbearance of a real estate loan arranged by a licensed real estate broker who differs from the broker who previously made or arranged the loan.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 8/23/24)
California Mortgage Association (co-source)
United Trustees Association (co-source)
California Association of Realtors
OPPOSITION: (Verified 8/23/24)
None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 7/1/24
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cervantes, Jones-Sawyer, Mathis, McCarty, Rendon, Waldron, Weber
Prepared by: Michael Burdick / B. & F.I. /
8/27/24 12:54:26
**** END ****
SENATE THIRD READING
STR Bill Id:SB 1146
Author:(Wilk)
As Amended Ver:August 19, 2024
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Makes technical and clarifying changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and non-judicial foreclosure processes.
Major Provisions
- Clarifies that a specified exemption from the California Constitution's usury limit related to the forbearance of loans secured by real property includes a forbearance arranged by a licensed real estate broker who may differ from the broker who previously made or arranged the loan. Adds to the existing exemption the extension or modification of a loan secured by real property made or arranged by a real estate broker.
- Deletes specified provisions of the Homeowner Bill of Rights that pertained to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023.
- Clarifies that a trustee is not required to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
- Authorizes a trustee to postpone a sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale.
- Authorizes a trustee, in conducting a trustee's sale to require a noncash bid to be made directly to the trustee, if that requirement is set for by the trustee in the notice of sale, and to require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
- Prohibits a trustee, in relation to a bid from an eligible bidder during the 45 days after a trustee's sale, from receiving any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the U.S. Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient's signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
COMMENTS
- How do foreclosure sales work?
Broadly speaking, foreclosure is the process by which a lender (the mortgagee) forces the sale of a home after the borrower (the mortgagor) fails to make housing payments. A deed of trust contains a power of sale clause allowing the lender to sell the home without going to court. This nonjudicial foreclosure process, while occurring outside of the court system, nevertheless requires lenders and the foreclosure trustee (the third party managing the foreclosure process) to comply with a number of timeline and notification requirements meant to create an orderly process for all parties.
Generally, the nonjudicial foreclosure process works like this: A lender records a Notice of Default with the county registrar, and this notice tells the borrower the amount owed. Once the Notice of Default is recorded, the borrower has 90 days to pay what is owed. If the borrower is unable to pay that amount, the next step is the recording of a Notice of Trustee Sale, which establishes the date and location where the auction will occur. The Notice of Trustee Sale also starts new timelines for the borrower to pay off the loan or reach an agreement with the lender. If no agreement is made, the trustee sale will take place, bids will be collected, and the home will be sold to a third party. The homeowner receives any surplus balance that exists, if there is any, once the foreclosure trustee, the lender, or any other creditors with priority liens on the property are paid.
California's three-stepped non-judicial foreclosure process (Notice of Default, Notice of Trustee Sale, and Trustee Sale/Auction) added a fourth step in 2021 with the passage of SB 1079 (Skinner), Chapter 202, Statutes of 2020. SB 1079 establishes a post-auction sale that gives eligible bidders, including nonprofits or potential owner-occupants, an opportunity to match or exceed the last and highest bid made on single-family homes. This process, which must happen within 45 days of the foreclosure sale, is intended to increase owner occupancy of single-family homes, safeguard against tenant displacement, and protect communities from corporate investors buying up large quantities of foreclosed homes.
- Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR).
The California HBOR protects homeowners facing foreclosure by establishing notification requirements. When the HBOR first went into effect in 2013 following the passage of SB 900 (Leno), Chapter 87, Statutes of 2012, the effects of the 2008 mortgage crisis still lingered, and distressed homeowners were still plagued by a number of procedural and administrative challenges that stacked the deck against them in the foreclosure process. Borrowers complained about what was called “dual tracking,” which occurred when the foreclosure process proceeded even while the borrower was separately discussing loan modification options with their servicer, the entity handling the day-to-day tasks of managing the loan. Other notable problems were the lack of a single person they could talk to about their specific situation, lost paperwork, and a lack of written commitments from servicers despite verbal promises made over the phone. While in theory borrowers may have had access to interventions such as loan modifications or loan forbearance that could help keep them in their homes, in practice homeowners experienced a maze of procedural hurdles that made success extraordinarily difficult.
The HBOR, revised and extended by SB 818 (Beall), Chapter 404, Statues of 2018, contains a number of important procedural protections, including:
- Restrictions on dual tracking: A mortgage servicer must generally pause the foreclosure process while it is deciding on a loan modification application and until after a period during which the homeowner can appeal a denial. Moreover, HBOR prohibits foreclosure while the borrower remains compliant with the terms of a loan modification or another foreclosure-prevention option.
- Notification of foreclosure-prevention options: HBOR requires a loan servicer to try to contact a borrower at least 30 days before starting the foreclosure process to discuss options to avoid foreclosure.
- Rules related to customer service. HBOR also contains rules meant to prevent servicers from evading or misleading distressed homeowners. For example, a servicer must assign the borrower a single point of contact when the borrower requests a loan modification or other foreclosure prevention option. Also, the servicer must notify the applicant if there is missing or incorrect information in the application.
According to the Author
"SB 1146 is an omnibus style, cleanup measure to California's non-judicial foreclosure and mortgage laws. Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 6 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee's sale. Specifically, this bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HBOR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California.
Arguments in Support
The United Trustees Association and the California Mortgage Association writes:
"[Under the Homeowner Bill of Rights], unlicensed tiny lenders and servicers must comply with the more substantial requirements intended for the larger entities. Unfortunately, these tiny lenders do not have the robust loss mitigation departments, policies, or procedures to comply with these substantial requirements. SB 1146 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that these tiny lenders and servicers shall comply with the more streamlined HOBR obligations.
When a borrower goes into foreclosure, the lender or the trustee may sell the property at a trustee's sale. Trustees who conduct nonjudicial foreclosures of real estate loans must strictly conform with the requirements of the California Civil Code. If a trustee fails to strictly adhere then the foreclosure may be invalidated; thus, it is important that nonjudicial foreclosure laws are precise. The fair and equal administration of the foreclosure statutes is critical to maintaining lender and borrower confidence in our system of real estate finance. SB 1146 seeks to make various clarifying and technical changes to these nonjudicial foreclosure laws."
Arguments in Opposition
None received.
FISCAL COMMENTS
No state costs. This bill is keyed Nonfiscal.
VOTES
SENATE FLOOR: 37-0-3
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
ABS, ABST OR NV: Grove, Min, Padilla
ASM BANKING AND FINANCE: 8-0-1
YES: Grayson, Cervantes, Dixon, Mike Fong, Maienschein, Petrie-Norris, Blanca Rubio, Soria
ABS, ABST OR NV: Chen
ASM JUDICIARY: 11-0-1
YES: Kalra, Dixon, Bauer-Kahan, Bryan, Connolly, Haney, Maienschein, McKinnor, Pacheco, Reyes, Sanchez
ABS, ABST OR NV: Joe Patterson
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0-7
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas
ABS, ABST OR NV: Cervantes, Jones-Sawyer, Mathis, McCarty, Rendon, Waldron, Weber
UPDATED
VERSION: August 19, 2024
CONSULTANT: Luke Reidenbach / B. & F. / (916) 319-3081 FN: 0003886
SENATE THIRD READING
STR Bill Id:SB 1146
Author:(Wilk)
As Amended Ver:June 3, 2024
Majority vote
SUMMARY
Makes technical and clarifying changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and non-judicial foreclosure processes.
Major Provisions
- Clarifies that a specified exemption from the California Constitution's usury limit related to the forbearance of loans secured by real property includes a forbearance arranged by a licensed real estate broker who may differ from the broker who previously made or arranged the loan. Adds to the existing exemption the extension or modification of a loan secured by real property made or arranged by a real estate broker.
- Deletes specified provisions of the Homeowner Bill of Rights that pertained to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023.
- Clarifies that a trustee is not required to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
- Authorizes a trustee to postpone a sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale.
- Authorizes a trustee, in conducting a trustee's sale to require a noncash bid to be made directly to the trustee, if that requirement is set for by the trustee in the notice of sale, and to require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
- Prohibits a trustee, in relation to a bid from an eligible bidder during the 45 days after a trustee's sale, from receiving any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the U.S. Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient's signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
COMMENTS
- How do foreclosure sales work?
Broadly speaking, foreclosure is the process by which a lender (the mortgagee) forces the sale of a home after the borrower (the mortgagor) fails to make housing payments. A deed of trust contains a power of sale clause allowing the lender to sell the home without going to court. This nonjudicial foreclosure process, while occurring outside of the court system, nevertheless requires lenders and the foreclosure trustee (the third party managing the foreclosure process) to comply with a number of timeline and notification requirements meant to create an orderly process for all parties.
Generally, the nonjudicial foreclosure process works like this: A lender records a Notice of Default with the county registrar, and this notice tells the borrower the amount owed. Once the Notice of Default is recorded, the borrower has 90 days to pay what is owed. If the borrower is unable to pay that amount, the next step is the recording of a Notice of Trustee Sale, which establishes the date and location where the auction will occur. The Notice of Trustee Sale also starts new timelines for the borrower to pay off the loan or reach an agreement with the lender. If no agreement is made, the trustee sale will take place, bids will be collected, and the home will be sold to a third party. The homeowner receives any surplus balance that exists, if there is any, once the foreclosure trustee, the lender, or any other creditors with priority liens on the property are paid.
California's three-stepped non-judicial foreclosure process (Notice of Default, Notice of Trustee Sale, and Trustee Sale/Auction) added a fourth step in 2021 with the passage of SB 1079 (Skinner), Chapter 202, Statutes of 2020. SB 1079 establishes a post-auction sale that gives eligible bidders, including nonprofits or potential owner-occupants, an opportunity to match or exceed the last and highest bid made on single-family homes. This process, which must happen within 45 days of the foreclosure sale, is intended to increase owner occupancy of single-family homes, safeguard against tenant displacement, and protect communities from corporate investors buying up large quantities of foreclosed homes.
- Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR).
The California HBOR protects homeowners facing foreclosure by establishing notification requirements. When the HBOR first went into effect in 2013 following the passage of SB 900 (Leno), Chapter 87, Statutes of 2012, the effects of the 2008 mortgage crisis still lingered, and distressed homeowners were still plagued by a number of procedural and administrative challenges that stacked the deck against them in the foreclosure process. Borrowers complained about what was called "dual tracking," which occurred when the foreclosure process proceeded even while the borrower was separately discussing loan modification options with their servicer, the entity handling the day-to-day tasks of managing the loan. Other notable problems were the lack of a single person they could talk to about their specific situation, lost paperwork, and a lack of written commitments from servicers despite verbal promises made over the phone. While in theory borrowers may have had access to interventions such as loan modifications or loan forbearance that could help keep them in their homes, in practice homeowners experienced a maze of procedural hurdles that made success extraordinarily difficult.
The HBOR, revised and extended by SB 818 (Beall), Chapter 404, Statues of 2018, contains a number of important procedural protections, including:
- Restrictions on dual tracking: A mortgage servicer must generally pause the foreclosure process while it is deciding on a loan modification application and until after a period during which the homeowner can appeal a denial. Moreover, HBOR prohibits foreclosure while the borrower remains compliant with the terms of a loan modification or another foreclosure-prevention option.
- Notification of foreclosure-prevention options: HBOR requires a loan servicer to try to contact a borrower at least 30 days before starting the foreclosure process to discuss options to avoid foreclosure.
- Rules related to customer service. HBOR also contains rules meant to prevent servicers from evading or misleading distressed homeowners. For example, a servicer must assign the borrower a single point of contact when the borrower requests a loan modification or other foreclosure prevention option. Also, the servicer must notify the applicant if there is missing or incorrect information in the application.
According to the Author
"SB 1146 is an omnibus style, cleanup measure to California's non-judicial foreclosure and mortgage laws. Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 6 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee's sale. Specifically, this bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HBOR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California."
Arguments in Support
The United Trustees Association and the California Mortgage Association writes:
"[Under the Homeowner Bill of Rights], unlicensed tiny lenders and servicers must comply with the more substantial requirements intended for the larger entities. Unfortunately, these tiny lenders do not have the robust loss mitigation departments, policies, or procedures to comply with these substantial requirements. SB 1146 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that these tiny lenders and servicers shall comply with the more streamlined HOBR obligations.
When a borrower goes into foreclosure, the lender or the trustee may sell the property at a trustee's sale. Trustees who conduct nonjudicial foreclosures of real estate loans must strictly conform with the requirements of the California Civil Code. If a trustee fails to strictly adhere then the foreclosure may be invalidated; thus, it is important that nonjudicial foreclosure laws are precise. The fair and equal administration of the foreclosure statutes is critical to maintaining lender and borrower confidence in our system of real estate finance. SB 1146 seeks to make various clarifying and technical changes to these nonjudicial foreclosure laws."
Arguments in Opposition
None on file.
FISCAL COMMENTS
No state costs. This bill is keyed Nonfiscal.
VOTES
SENATE FLOOR: 37-0-3
YES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
ABS, ABST OR NV: Grove, Min, Padilla
ASM BANKING AND FINANCE: 8-0-1
YES: Grayson, Cervantes, Dixon, Mike Fong, Maienschein, Petrie-Norris, Blanca Rubio, Soria
ABS, ABST OR NV: Chen
ASM JUDICIARY: 11-0-1
YES: Kalra, Dixon, Bauer-Kahan, Bryan, Connolly, Haney, Maienschein, McKinnor, Pacheco, Reyes, Sanchez
ABS, ABST OR NV: Joe Patterson
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0-7
YES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas
ABS, ABST OR NV: Cervantes, Jones-Sawyer, Mathis, McCarty, Rendon, Waldron, Weber
UPDATED
VERSION: June 3, 2024
CONSULTANT: Luke Reidenbach / B. & F. / (916) 319-3081 FN: 0004031
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SB 1146 |
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
Bill No: SB 1146
Author: Wilk (R)
Amended: 6/3/24
Vote: 21
SENATE BANKING & F.I. COMMITTEE: 7-0, 4/17/24
AYES: Limón, Niello, Bradford, Caballero, Min, Nguyen, Portantino
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: 11-0, 4/30/24
AYES: Umberg, Wilk, Allen, Blakespear, Caballero, Dodd, Durazo, Laird, Min, Niello, Wiener
SENATE FLOOR: 37-0, 5/9/24 (Consent)
AYES: Allen, Alvarado-Gil, Archuleta, Ashby, Atkins, Becker, Blakespear, Bradford, Caballero, Cortese, Dahle, Dodd, Durazo, Eggman, Glazer, Gonzalez, Hurtado, Jones, Laird, Limón, McGuire, Menjivar, Newman, Nguyen, Niello, Ochoa Bogh, Portantino, Roth, Rubio, Seyarto, Skinner, Smallwood-Cuevas, Stern, Umberg, Wahab, Wiener, Wilk
NO VOTE RECORDED: Grove, Min, Padilla
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 7/1/24 (Consent) - See last page for vote
SUBJECT: Mortgages
SOURCE: California Mortgage Association
United Trustees Association
DIGEST:
This bill makes technical and clarifying changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and non-judicial foreclosure processes.
Assembly Amendments
clarify an ambiguity related to how state usury law applies to the modification of a real estate loan.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Requires a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Exempts from this requirement the following categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2923.7)
- Prohibits certain mortgage servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the servicer from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative. This section applies to categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2924.18)
- Extended specified protections provided by the Homeowner Bill of Rights to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023. (Civil Code Section 2924.15(a)(2))
- Requires a trustee to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default. (Civil Code Section 2924c(a)(2))
- Specifies the process for a trustee’s sale, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sales, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced. (Civil Code Section 2924g)
- Authorizes a trustee to require specified conditions related to bidders at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924h(b) and (c))
- Provides a process for a specified eligible bidder or eligible tenant buyer to meet or exceed the highest bid at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924m)
This bill:
- Adds the following exemption to the provision requiring a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified: a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
- Provides that a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential property in a calendar year is prohibited from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the person or entity from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
- Deletes specified provisions of the Homeowner Bill of Rights that pertained to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023.
- Clarifies that a trustee is not required to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default, if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
- Authorizes a trustee to postpone a sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale.
- Provides that such a sale be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
- Defines “an act of force majeure” to mean an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustee’s control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
- Exempts a sale postponed because of an act of force majeure from requiring a trustee to give a specified public declaration.
- Authorizes a trustee, in conducting a trustee’s sale:
- To require a noncash bid to be made directly to the trustee, if that requirement is set for by the trustee in the notice of sale.
- To require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
- Prohibits a trustee, in relation to a bid from an eligible bidder during the 45 days after a trustee’s sale, from receiving any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the U.S. Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Comments
Purpose of the bill. According to the author, “Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 6 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale. This bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HBOR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California.”
Background
This bill makes disparate technical changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and to the procedures governing a trustee sale, which is one of the last steps in California’s non-judicial foreclosure process. The provisions of this bill are intended to be noncontroversial and clarifying. This bill proposes the following changes to existing law.
HBOR clarifications. In the aftermath of the 2007 subprime mortgage meltdown, California enacted various protections intended to prevent avoidable foreclosures. These protections generally took the form of procedural requirements placed on mortgage servicers before the completion of a non-judicial foreclosure. Some requirements applied to all mortgage servicers, while others applied differentially based on whether a mortgage servicer had foreclosed on more than 175 homes in the past year (“larger servicers”).
The drafting of the 175-foreclosure threshold presumed that any person subject to the law would be either a chartered depository institution or a licensed lender. This presumption failed to recognize that California law allows for de minimis mortgage lending that does not require a person to first obtain a license. For example, the Real Estate Law establishes a threshold of eight or more loans in a calendar year as one condition that could trigger a real estate broker to be required to have a license.
This bill clarifies that two HBOR provisions apply to unlicensed lenders who make and service fewer than eight loans per year in the same manner as those provisions apply to licensed mortgage servicers who foreclose on no more than 175 properties in year (“smaller servicers”). The first provision is a requirement that larger servicers must assign a single point of contact to a borrower when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative. Like smaller servicers, a person making seven or fewer loans would not be required to comply with this requirement. The second provision is a prohibition on smaller servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process when a loan modification request is being processed or when a borrower is in compliance with a foreclosure prevention alternative. These tiny unlicensed servicers would similarly be prohibited from the same activity.
This bill also deletes vestigial provisions that temporarily extended HBOR protections to properties owned by small landlords during the pandemic. Those provisions were enacted in 2020 with a sunset date of January 1, 2023.
Force majeure. This bill establishes procedures for the postponement of a trustee sale if an act of force majeure prevents access to the location of the sale. The doctrine of force majeure refers to an unexpected, impossible to overcome interference that effectively prevents at least one party to a contract from performing their duties under the contract. Such interference includes acts of God, like fire or flood, but can also include civil disorder or infrastructure failures (e.g., transportation delay or failure).
Trustee sales take place at the time and location specified in the notice of sale, as required by state law. In many cases, these sales take place on the courthouse steps in the county where the property is located. Any postponement is required to be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. So, what happens if a trustee is unable to access the sale location at the time of sale? As an example, protests have disrupted a scheduled trustee sale, making it impossible to conduct the required auction. It is also easy to imagine a fire, flood, or earthquake making it impossible to conduct a sale at the specified time and place. To address these unexpected events that cannot be avoided or prevented, this bill specifies that, if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale, then the sale is postponed seven days at the same time and location.
Method of payment. Existing law provides that a trustee, in conducting a trustee sale, may require a bidder to show evidence of the bidder’s ability to pay the full amount of their bid in cash or check and for the trustee to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale. Under procedures in place today, a bidder may provide checks or cashier’s checks made payable to the bidder themselves or to “cash.” Some financial institutions have been reluctant to accept checks made payable to the bidder or to cash, making it difficult for the trustee to access funds, likely due to fraud mitigation practices employed by those financial institutions. This bill proposes to authorize a trustee to require that such checks be made payable to the trustee, so that the trustee does not have problems accessing funds necessary to complete the sale process.
Eligible bids in the post-auction bidding window. The state of California recently enacted laws that allow certain tenant buyers, prospective owner-occupants, and certain nonprofits to match or exceed the highest bid at a trustee sale, providing opportunities for homeownership or the preservation of affordable rental housing that would otherwise be unlikely if the trustee sale concluded with the highest bid at auction. The process for post-auction bids is relatively new, established through legislation in 2020 that was subsequently clarified and added to in 2022.
According to the United Trustees Association, these new laws have created an environment “where trustee’s sale bidders, alleged nonprofits, and prospective owner-occupants are parsing every word of the statute, seeking to advantage themselves and suing or threatening to sue the trustee over any perceived ambiguity.” This bill seeks to address one remaining source of ambiguity: the methods by which a trustee may accept a bid on the last day that bids are eligible to be received. The amendment clarifies that the bid must be sent by certified mail with the US Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Clarification of how usury law applies to certain mortgage loan modifications. A recently decided court case, in an unpublished decision, found that an exemption in state usury law does not apply to a mortgage loan modification that is arranged by a real estate broker that is different from the real estate broker who arranged the purchase of the property. This bill clarifies that a statutory exemption from state usury law applies to a forbearance of a real estate loan arranged by a licensed real estate broker who differs from the broker who previously made or arranged the loan.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 7/2/24)
California Mortgage Association (co-source)
United Trustees Association (co-source)
California Association of Realtors
OPPOSITION: (Verified 7/2/24)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The California Mortgage Association and United Trustees Association, as co-sponsors, support the bill for the clarifying reasons explained in the comments above.
ARGUMENTS IN OPPOSITION: None received
ASSEMBLY FLOOR: 72-0, 7/1/24
AYES: Addis, Aguiar-Curry, Alanis, Alvarez, Arambula, Bains, Bauer-Kahan, Bennett, Berman, Boerner, Bonta, Bryan, Calderon, Juan Carrillo, Wendy Carrillo, Chen, Connolly, Megan Dahle, Davies, Dixon, Essayli, Flora, Mike Fong, Friedman, Gabriel, Gallagher, Garcia, Gipson, Grayson, Haney, Hart, Holden, Hoover, Irwin, Jackson, Kalra, Lackey, Lee, Low, Lowenthal, Maienschein, McKinnor, Muratsuchi, Stephanie Nguyen, Ortega, Pacheco, Papan, Jim Patterson, Joe Patterson, Pellerin, Petrie-Norris, Quirk-Silva, Ramos, Reyes, Luz Rivas, Rodriguez, Blanca Rubio, Sanchez, Santiago, Schiavo, Soria, Ta, Ting, Valencia, Villapudua, Wallis, Ward, Wicks, Wilson, Wood, Zbur, Robert Rivas
NO VOTE RECORDED: Cervantes, Jones-Sawyer, Mathis, McCarty, Rendon, Waldron, Weber
Prepared by: Michael Burdick / B. & F.I. /
7/2/24 15:16:54
**** END ****
Date of Hearing: June 25, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Ash Kalra, Chair
SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1146
Author:(Wilk) – As Amended Ver:June 3, 2024
PROPOSED CONSENT
SENATE VOTE: 37-0
SUBJECT: Mortgages
KEY ISSUE: SHOULD THE LEGISLATURE MAKE TECHNICAL AND CLARIFYING CHANGES TO THE LAWS RELATED TO MORTGAGE SERVICING, THE NON-JUDICIAL FORECLOSURE PROCESS, AND CALIFORNIA’S USURY LIMIT?
SYNOPSIS
As explained by the author, “SB 1146 is an omnibus style, cleanup measure to California’s non-judicial foreclosure and mortgage laws. Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 7 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale. Specifically, this bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HOBR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California.”
This bill, as recently amended in the Assembly Committee on Banking and Finance, also seeks to clarify recent ambiguities in usury law resulting from a recent decision by the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel for the Ninth Circuit: (1) that a real estate loan, and any forbearance, extension, or modification of such real estate loan is afforded the exemption from the California Constitution’s usury limit, and (2) the usury limit exemption applies even if the broker for the loan modification/extension/forbearance is a different broker from the one who arranged the original loan. This measure has no known opposition and was recently approved by the Assembly Banking & Finance Committee by a vote of 8-0.
SUMMARY: Makes technical and clarifying changes to laws related to mortgage servicing, non-judicial foreclosure processes, and California’s usury limit. Specifically, this bill:
- Clarifies that a specified exemption from the California Constitution’s usury limit related to the forbearance of loans secured by real property includes a forbearance arranged by a licensed real estate broker who may differ from the broker who previously made or arranged the loan.
- Adds the extension or modification of a loan secured by real property that is made or arranged by a real estate broker to the existing exemption from the usury limits.
- Adds the following exemption to the provision requiring a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified: a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
- Provides that a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential property in a calendar year is prohibited from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the person or entity from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
- Deletes specified provisions of the Homeowner Bill of Rights that pertained to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023.
- Clarifies that a trustee is not required to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
- Authorizes a trustee to postpone a sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale.
- Authorizes a trustee, in conducting a trustee’s sale to require a noncash bid to be made directly to the trustee, if that requirement is set for by the trustee in the notice of sale, and to require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
- Prohibits a trustee, in relation to a bid from an eligible bidder during the 45 days after a trustee’s sale, from receiving any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the U.S. Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
EXISTING LAW:
- Exempts from the usury limitation set forth in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution a loan or forbearance made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part on real property. (Civil Code Section 1916.1.)
- Requires a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Exempts from this requirement the following categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2923.7.)
- Prohibits certain mortgage servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the servicer from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative. This section applies to categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2924.18.)
- Extended specified protections provided by the Homeowner Bill of Rights to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023. (Civil Code Section 2924.15 (a)(2).)
- Requires a trustee to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default. (Civil Code Section 2924c (a)(2).)
- Specifies the process for a trustee’s sale, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sales, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced. (Civil Code Section 2924g.)
- Authorizes a trustee to require specified conditions related to bidders at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924h (b), (c).)
- Provides a process for a specified eligible bidder or eligible tenant buyer to meet or exceed the highest bid at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924m.)
FISCAL EFFECT: As currently in print this bill is keyed non-fiscal.
COMMENTS: As explained by the author:
SB 1146 is an omnibus style, cleanup measure to California’s non-judicial foreclosure and mortgage laws. Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 7 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale. Specifically, this bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HOBR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California.
This bill makes technical changes to laws governing mortgage servicing, trustee sales, California’s usury limit, and the post-auction sale allowed under SB 1079.
Homeowner Bill of Rights Clarification. In 2012, California enacted a comprehensive set of protections for homeowners, which were intended to prevent avoidable foreclosures on owner-occupied principal residences (AB 278, Eng et al., Chapter 86, Statutes of 2012 and SB 900, Leno et al., Chapter 87, Statutes of 2012). California made those provisions permanent in 2018 (SB 818, Beall, Chapter 404, Statutes of 2018). The Homeowner Bill of Rights applies to owners of residential property containing up to four units facing foreclosure, offering them certain protections:
- At least 30 days before filing a Notice of Default, the mortgage servicer must contact the borrower to explore foreclosure prevention alternatives.
- The servicer must provide a “single point of contact,” who is knowledgeable about the borrower’s situation, to any borrower seeking a foreclosure prevention alternative.
- If the borrower submits a first lien modification application or supporting documents, the servicer must provide written acknowledgement of receipt and provide important additional information, such as an estimate of how long it will take to make a decision regarding the application, the amount of time the borrower will have to consider a loan modification offer, a description of any omissions in the application, and deadlines for submitting missing documents.
- If the borrower submits a complete first lien loan modification application, the foreclosure process must halt while the application is being considered.
- If a borrower is denied a loan modification, the borrower has a right of appeal.
- If the servicing rights on the loan are transferred, the new servicer must honor any foreclosure prevention alternative offered by the previous servicer.
- The borrower must be notified of any postponement in a foreclosure sale that lasts ten business days or longer.
Existing law exempts small licensed lenders (those who in the preceding year foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties) from the Homeowner Bill of Rights obligations relating to establishing a single point of contact. SB 1146 extends this exemption to unlicensed lenders who make and service fewer than eight loans per year. Existing law requires small licensed lenders to delay foreclosure while a loan modification request is pending or when a borrower is in compliance with a foreclosure prevention alternative. SB 1146 extends this prohibition to small unlicensed lenders.
According to the bill’s sponsor, these Homeowner Bill of Rights changes are necessary because under the Homeowner Bill of Rights, “unlicensed tiny lenders and servicers must comply with the more substantial requirements intended for the larger entities. Unfortunately, these tiny lenders do not have the robust loss mitigation departments, policies, or procedures to comply with these substantial requirements. SB 1146 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that these tiny lenders and servicers shall comply with the more streamlined HOBR obligations.”
Amendments to SB 1079 - Eligible bids in the post-auction bidding window. This measure also seeks to clarify an ambiguity in the post-trustee sale bid process created by SB 1079. In 2020, as one means of mitigating the trend towards increased corporate ownership of single-family homes in California, the Legislature enacted SB 1079 (Skinner) Chap. 202, Stats. 2020. SB 1079 created a process (now known in the real estate industry as the “SB 1079 process”) through which three categories of eligible bidders—prospective owner-occupants; existing tenants living in the property; and designated entities, including nonprofit affordable housing providers, community land trusts, limited-equity housing cooperatives, and public entities—get a 45-day window to purchase residential properties of 1-4 units if they are able to match or exceed the highest bid at a preceding foreclosure auction. Existing law provides that a bid submitted on the last day must be delivered by certified or overnight mail. SB 1146 clarifies that the certified mail must be with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Amendments to SB 1079 - Force Majeure. SB 1079 specifies how a foreclosure sale must be conducted and noticed. The time and place for the sale must be specified in the notice of sale, and any postponement of the sale must be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. SB 1079 prescribes specific circumstances when a foreclosure sale may be postponed, including upon order of any court or by mutual agreement between the trustor and beneficiary. SB 1146 adds one additional circumstance: when force majeure (act of god) prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale. Examples of circumstances that would trigger this postponement are things such as natural disasters, but can also include civil disorder or infrastructure failures, if they are unforeseeable, outside of the trustee’s control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical. SB 1146 specifies that a sale postposed pursuant to force majeure shall be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
Amendments to SB 1079 – Methods of payment. SB 1146 clarifies that a trustee, in completing the sale and requiring deposit of the winning bid by the bidder, may require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary. According to the author, trustees report difficulty depositing “third party checks” of successful bidders; thus, this change is designed to ease the process by which the trustee deposits successful bidders’ winning bids and issues the deed to that bidder.
Eliminates certain COVID-19-related provisions. In the aftermath of the COVID pandemic the Legislature extended certain Homeowner Bill of Rights protections available to owner-occupied homes facing foreclosure to residential real property occupied by a tenant where the tenant was unable to pay rent due to the pandemic. These provisions were extended in such instances to protect small landlords who were having difficulty paying their mortgages due to reduced rental income from tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This extension expired on January 1, 2023. This bill eliminates the extension of the specified protections for first lien mortgages to situations where the property’s owner is unable to pay rent due to COVID-19, as those provisions are no longer operative.
Amendment to usury exemption. Article 15 of the California Constitution addresses usury laws, which regulate the maximum interest rates that can be charged on loans. It establishes a general limit on interest rates to prevent lenders from charging excessively high rates, thus protecting borrowers from predatory lending practices. The article specifies that the maximum allowable interest rate for loans is 10% per annum for personal, family, or household purposes, subject to a variety of exemptions. The Civil Code clarifies that exemption for loans secured by real property and the forbearance of those loans, so long as those loans and that forbearance are made and arranged by a licensed real estate broker.
Until recently it was understood that exempt loans would retain their exemption upon their modification (known broadly under the law as a “forbearance”). That understanding changed abruptly in January 2022 when a local bankruptcy court issued a decision that quite narrowly interpreted Section 1916.1 to mean that a loan that was exempt when originated since it was arranged by a licensed real estate broker will lose its exemption upon a modification unless a very rare circumstance is met – where the modification is separately arranged by a real estate broker who also was the same real estate broker who arranged the purchase or exchange of the property itself.
On April 16, 2024, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, in an unpublished decision, affirmed the Bankruptcy Appellate Panel’s earlier decision. In the aftermath of that court decision, SB 1146 seeks to clarify existing law by establishing: (1) that a real estate loan, and any forbearance, extension, or modification of such real estate loan is afforded the exemption from the California Constitution’s usury limit, and (2) the usury limit exemption applies even if the broker for the loan modification/extension/forbearance is a different broker from the one who arranged the original loan.
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The California Association of Realtors explains the need for this measure:
SB 1146 is a commonsense measure that will incorporate loan forbearances, extensions, or modifications into the statutory exception to California’s usury law that applies when a licensed real estate broker “makes or arranges” a loan secured by real property. It also clarifies that that the broker does not have to be the same person who originally arranged the loan.
Without this language codified into law, consumers who would otherwise qualify for mortgage loan forbearances or extensions that would allow them to remain in their homes, may not be able to receive them due to the limitation on the interest rate available for the loan. Today’s interest rates for a healthy risk home loan borrower hover around 7.5-8.5 percent. Loan extensions or forbearances, by their nature, involve dealing with higher risk borrowers which justify higher interest rates. While paying higher interest is never ideal, it is far superior to facing foreclosure and the very real risk of losing one’s home. REALTORS® support keeping homeowners in their homes and opportunities to create generational wealth. This bill is a simple fix that will do just that.
The California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, the co-sponsors of this measure, further explain:
California enacted the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HOBR) in 2012 as a set of changes to non-judicial foreclosure and lending laws. One provision differentiated amongst lenders and servicers based on the number of annual foreclosures. Those lenders and servicers with 175 or more annual foreclosures have more substantial reporting and other requirements than the smaller lenders and servicers. Those licensed persons or entities which have fewer than 175 annual foreclosures have slightly streamlined obligations. Lost in the definitions are the very small/mom and pop lenders and servicers who might make and service a few loans, but do not meet the current licensing requirements laid out in California law. Thus, these unlicensed tiny lenders and servicers must comply with the more substantial requirements intended for the larger entities.
Unfortunately, these tiny lenders do not have the robust loss mitigation departments, policies, or procedures to comply with these substantial requirements. SB 1146 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that these tiny lenders and servicers shall comply with the more streamlined HOBR obligations.
Recently the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld a Bankruptcy Appellate Panel (BAP) decision regarding the use of California’s real estate broker exemption to the usury law. Known as the Moon decision, the 9th Circuit’s action to affirm the BAP decision has raised technical issues with Civil Code Section 1916.1 due to the bankruptcy courts’ interpretation. Specifically, in dicta the bankruptcy court stated that loan extensions and forbearances do not qualify for the exemption as the statute does not specifically reference them. Extensions and forbearance are already included in several places within the statutory language but are not consistently referenced throughout. Additionally, the bankruptcy court wrote that the statutory construction of the exemption applies only when borrowers use the same real estate broker to seek a forbearance, modification, or extension, regardless if the broker is still alive, living in California, or retired. SB 1146 clarifies these two issues by making technical and clarifying language to help address the issues raised by the Moon decisions.
When a borrower goes into foreclosure, the lender or the trustee may sell the property at a trustee’s sale. Trustees who conduct nonjudicial foreclosures of real estate loans must strictly conform with the requirements of the California Civil Code. If a trustee fails to strictly adhere then the foreclosure may be invalidated; thus, it is important that nonjudicial foreclosure laws are precise. The fair and equal administration of the foreclosure statutes is critical to maintaining lender and borrower confidence in our system of real estate finance. SB 1146 seeks to make various clarifying and technical changes to these nonjudicial foreclosure laws. Specifically, SB 1146 replaces the vague term "overnight mail" with specific instructions to use certified mail or an independent courier in post-trustee's sale bidding processes, how bids are made payable to trustees, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale due to unforeseeable events.
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
California Mortgage Association (co-sponsor)
United Trustees Association (co-sponsor)
California Association of Realtors
Opposition
None on file
Analysis Prepared by: Shiran Zohar / JUD. / (916) 319-2334
Date of Hearing: June 17, 2024
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BANKING AND FINANCE
Timothy Grayson, Chair
SBPCA Bill Id:SB 1146
Author:(Wilk) – As Amended Ver:June 3, 2024
SENATE VOTE: 37-0
SUBJECT: Mortgages
SUMMARY: Makes technical and clarifying changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and non-judicial foreclosure processes.
Specifically, this bill:
- Clarifies that a specified exemption from the California Constitution’s usury limit related to the forbearance of loans secured by real property includes a forbearance arranged by a licensed real estate broker who may differ from the broker who previously made or arranged the loan. Adds to the existing exemption the extension or modification of a loan secured by real property that is made or arranged by a real estate broker.
- Adds the following exemption to the provision requiring a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified: a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
- Provides that a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential property in a calendar year is prohibited from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the person or entity from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
- Deletes specified provisions of the Homeowner Bill of Rights that pertained to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023.
- Clarifies that a trustee is not required to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
- Authorizes a trustee to postpone a sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale.
- Authorizes a trustee, in conducting a trustee’s sale to require a noncash bid to be made directly to the trustee, if that requirement is set for by the trustee in the notice of sale, and to require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
- Prohibits a trustee, in relation to a bid from an eligible bidder during the 45 days after a trustee’s sale, from receiving any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the U.S. Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
EXISTING LAW:
- Exempts from the usury limitation set forth in Section 1 of Article XV of the California Constitution a loan or forbearance made or arranged by any person licensed as a real estate broker by the State of California, and secured, directly or collaterally, in whole or in part on real property. (Civil Code Section 1916.1.)
- Requires a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Exempts from this requirement the following categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2923.7)
- Prohibits certain mortgage servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the servicer from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative. This section applies to categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2924.18)
- Extended specified protections provided by the Homeowner Bill of Rights to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023. (Civil Code Section 2924.15(a)(2))
- Requires a trustee to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default. (Civil Code Section 2924c(a)(2))
- Specifies the process for a trustee’s sale, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sales, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced. (Civil Code Section 2924g)
- Authorizes a trustee to require specified conditions related to bidders at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924h(b) and (c))
- Provides a process for a specified eligible bidder or eligible tenant buyer to meet or exceed the highest bid at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924m)
FISCAL EFFECT: Unknown. This bill is keyed Nonfiscal by Legislative Counsel.
COMMENTS:
- Purpose.
According to the author:
SB 1146 is an omnibus style, cleanup measure to California’s non-judicial foreclosure and mortgage laws. Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 6 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale. Specifically, this bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HBOR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California.
- How do foreclosure sales work?
Broadly speaking, foreclosure is the process by which a lender (the mortgagee) forces the sale of a home after the borrower (the mortgagor) fails to make housing payments. A deed of trust contains a power of sale clause allowing the lender to sell the home without going to court. This nonjudicial foreclosure process, while occurring outside of the court system, nevertheless requires lenders and the foreclosure trustee (the third party managing the foreclosure process) to comply with a number of timeline and notification requirements meant to create an orderly process for all parties.
Generally, the nonjudicial foreclosure process works like this: A lender records a Notice of Default with the county registrar, and this notice tells the borrower the amount owed. Once the Notice of Default is recorded, the borrower has 90 days to pay what is owed. If the borrower is unable to pay that amount, the next step is the recording of a Notice of Trustee Sale, which establishes the date and location where the auction will occur. The Notice of Trustee Sale also starts new timelines for the borrower to pay off the loan or reach an agreement with the lender. If no agreement is made, the trustee sale will take place, bids will be collected, and the home will be sold to a third party. The homeowner receives any surplus balance that exists, if there is any, once the foreclosure trustee, the lender, or any other creditors with priority liens on the property are paid.
California’s three-stepped non-judicial foreclosure process (Notice of Default, Notice of Trustee Sale, and Trustee Sale/Auction) added a fourth step in 2021 with the passage of SB 1079 (Skinner), Chapter 202, Statutes of 2020. SB 1079 establishes a post-auction sale that gives eligible bidders, including nonprofits or potential owner-occupants, an opportunity to match or exceed the last and highest bid made on single-family homes. This process, which must happen within 45 days of the foreclosure sale, is intended to increase owner occupancy of single-family homes, safeguard against tenant displacement, and protect communities from corporate investors buying up large quantities of foreclosed homes.
- Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR).
The California HBOR protects homeowners facing foreclosure by establishing notification requirements. When the HBOR first went into effect in 2013 following the passage of SB 900 (Leno), Chapter 87, Statutes of 2012, the effects of the 2008 mortgage crisis still lingered, and distressed homeowners were still plagued by a number of procedural and administrative challenges that stacked the deck against them in the foreclosure process. Borrowers complained about what was called “dual tracking,” which occurred when the foreclosure process proceeded even while the borrower was separately discussing loan modification options with their servicer, the entity handling the day-to-day tasks of managing the loan. Other notable problems were the lack of a single person they could talk to about their specific situation, lost paperwork, and a lack of written commitments from servicers despite verbal promises made over the phone. While in theory borrowers may have had access to interventions such as loan medications or loan forbearance that could help keep them in their homes, in practice homeowners experienced a maze of procedural hurdles that made success extraordinarily difficult.
The HBOR, revised and extended by SB 818 (Beall), Chapter 404, Statues of 2018, contains a number of important procedural protections, including:
- Restrictions on dual tracking: A mortgage servicer must generally pause the foreclosure process while it is deciding on a loan modification application and until after a period during which the homeowner can appeal a denial. Moreover, HBOR prohibits foreclosure while the borrower remains compliant with the terms of a loan modification or another foreclosure-prevention option.
- Notification of foreclosure-prevention options: HBOR requires a loan servicer to try to contact a borrower at least 30 days before starting the foreclosure process to discuss options to avoid foreclosure.
- Rules related to customer service. HBOR also contains rules meant to prevent servicers from evading or misleading distressed homeowners. For example, a servicer must assign the borrower a single point of contact when the borrower requests a loan modification or other foreclosure prevention option. Also, the servicer must notify the applicant if there is missing or incorrect information in the application.
- What does SB 1146 do?
SB 1146 makes technical changes to laws governing mortgage servicing, trustee sales, and the post-auction sale allowed under SB 1079. Major provisions include:
- Usury exemption clarifications.
Article 15 of the California Constitution states that no person may charge a higher rate of interest than 10% per year on any loan or forbearance of money, goods, or things in action, but there are a variety of exemptions for licensed lenders. The Civil Code clarifies that exemption for loans secured by real property and the forbearance of those loans, so long as those loans and that forbearance are made and arranged by a licensed real estate broker. However, as written, this exemption implies that the forbearance must be arranged by the same real estate broker for the usury exemption to apply. SB 1146 would clarify this exemption to ensure that a different real estate broker could arrange the forbearance, modification, or extension.
SB 1146’s sponsor explains the issue, and the impact of a recent court decision, as follows:
In a recent case known as in re Moon, a federal court recently strictly construed Civil Code Section 1916.1 relating to the application of the real estate broker exemption from usury to forbearances and extensions of loans. First, although the present law references forbearances, the law does not consistently refer to forbearances, modifications and extensions of loans, all of which might be used to assist borrowers. Second, the decision seems to suggest that only the real estate broker who assisted in the original loan can assist in the subsequent forbearance, modification or extension of the loan in order for the usury exemption to apply. The obvious problem is that the original broker may be retired, out of state, or even deceased, and therefore would be unavailable to assist the borrower in avoiding foreclosure. The amendments correct these two ambiguities to the benefit of consumers looking to avoid foreclosure.
- HBOR clarifications
SB 1146 clarifies how certain HBOR provisions apply to unlicensed lenders who make and service fewer than eight loans per year and aligns these requirements for licensed servicers who foreclose on no more than 175 properties a year. First, this bill exempts these lenders from HBOR’s requirement to establish a single point of contact. Second, SB 1146 extends to these unlicensed lenders a prohibition on smaller servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process when a loan modification request is being processed or when a borrower is in compliance with a foreclosure prevention alternative.
According to the bill’s sponsor, these HBOR changes are necessary because under HBOR, “unlicensed tiny lenders and servicers must comply with the more substantial requirements intended for the larger entities. Unfortunately, these tiny lenders do not have the robust loss mitigation departments, policies, or procedures to comply with these substantial requirements. SB 1146 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that these tiny lenders and servicers shall comply with the more streamlined HOBR obligations.”
- Force majeure
This bill establishes procedures for the postponement of a trustee sale if an act of force majeure prevents access to the location of the sale. The doctrine of force majeure refers to an unexpected, impossible to overcome interference that effectively prevents at least one party to a contract from performing their duties under the contract. Such interference includes acts of God, like fire or flood, but can also include civil disorder or infrastructure failures (e.g., transportation delay or failure).
Trustee sales take place at the time and location specified in the notice of sale, as required by state law. In many cases, these sales take place on the courthouse steps in the county where the property is located. Any postponement is required to be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. To address these unexpected events that cannot be avoided or prevented, this bill specifies that, if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale, then the sale is postponed to the next business day at the same time and location.
- Method of payment
Existing law provides that a trustee, in conducting a trustee sale, may require a bidder to show evidence of the bidder’s ability to pay the full amount of their bid in cash or check and for the trustee to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale. Under procedures in place today, a bidder may provide checks or cashier’s checks made payable to the bidder themselves or to “cash.” Some financial institutions have been reluctant to accept checks made payable to the bidder or to cash, making it difficult for the trustee to access funds, likely due to fraud mitigation practices employed by those financial institutions. This bill proposes to authorize a trustee to require that such checks be made payable to the trustee so that the trustee does not have problems accessing funds necessary to complete the sale process.
- Eligible bids in the post-auction bidding window
SB 1146 aims to address an ambiguity in the post-trustee sale bid process created by SB 1079, described in greater detail in Comment #2. Specifically, the amendment clarifies that the bid must be sent by certified mail with the US Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
- Arguments in support.
The United Trustees Association and California Mortgage Association, as sponsors, write in support:
[Under the Homeowner Bill of Rights], unlicensed tiny lenders and servicers must comply with the more substantial requirements intended for the larger entities. Unfortunately, these tiny lenders do not have the robust loss mitigation departments, policies, or procedures to comply with these substantial requirements. SB 1146 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that these tiny lenders and servicers shall comply with the more streamlined HOBR obligations.
When a borrower goes into foreclosure, the lender or the trustee may sell the property at a trustee’s sale. Trustees who conduct nonjudicial foreclosures of real estate loans must strictly conform with the requirements of the California Civil Code. If a trustee fails to strictly adhere then the foreclosure may be invalidated; thus, it is important that nonjudicial foreclosure laws are precise. The fair and equal administration of the foreclosure statutes is critical to maintaining lender and borrower confidence in our system of real estate finance. SB 1146 seeks to make various clarifying and technical changes to these nonjudicial foreclosure
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION:
Support
United Trustees Association and California Mortgage Association
Opposition
None on file.
Analysis Prepared by: Luke Reidenbach / B. & F. / (916) 319-3081
SENATE RULES COMMITTEE Office of Senate Floor Analyses (916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) 327-4478 | SB 1146 |
CONSENT
Bill No: SB 1146
Author: Wilk (R)
Amended: 5/2/24
Vote: 21
SENATE BANKING & F.I. COMMITTEE: 7-0, 4/17/24
AYES: Limón, Niello, Bradford, Caballero, Min, Nguyen, Portantino
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: 11-0, 4/30/24
AYES: Umberg, Wilk, Allen, Blakespear, Caballero, Dodd, Durazo, Laird, Min, Niello, Wiener
SUBJECT: Mortgages
SOURCE: California Mortgage Association
United Trustees Association
DIGEST:
This bill makes technical and clarifying changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and non-judicial foreclosure processes.
ANALYSIS:
Existing law:
- Requires a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Exempts from this requirement the following categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2923.7)
- Prohibits certain mortgage servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the servicer from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative. This section applies to categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2924.18)
- Extended specified protections provided by the Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR) to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023. (Civil Code Section 2924.15(a)(2))
- Requires a trustee to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default. (Civil Code Section 2924c(a)(2))
- Specifies the process for a trustee’s sale, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sales, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced. (Civil Code Section 2924g)
- Authorizes a trustee to require specified conditions related to bidders at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924h(b) and (c))
- Provides a process for a specified eligible bidder or eligible tenant buyer to meet or exceed the highest bid at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924m)
This bill:
- Adds the following exemption to the provision requiring a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified: a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
- Provides that a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential property in a calendar year is prohibited from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the person or entity from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
- Deletes specified provisions of the HBOR that pertained to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023.
- Clarifies that a trustee is not required to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default, if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
- Authorizes a trustee to postpone a sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale.
- Provides that such a sale be postponed seven calendar days at the same time and location.
- Defines “an act of force majeure” to mean an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustee’s control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
- Exempts a sale postponed because of an act of force majeure from requiring a trustee to give a specified public declaration.
- Authorizes a trustee, in conducting a trustee’s sale:
- To require a noncash bid to be made directly to the trustee, if that requirement is set for by the trustee in the notice of sale.
- To require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
- Prohibits a trustee, in relation to a bid from an eligible bidder during the 45 days after a trustee’s sale, from receiving any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the U.S. Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Background
This bill makes disparate technical changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and to the procedures governing a trustee sale, which is one of the last steps in California’s non-judicial foreclosure process. The provisions of this bill are intended to be noncontroversial and clarifying. This bill proposes the following changes to existing law.
- HBOR clarifications. In the aftermath of the 2007 subprime mortgage meltdown, California enacted various protections intended to prevent avoidable foreclosures. These protections generally took the form of procedural requirements placed on mortgage servicers before the completion of a non-judicial foreclosure. Some requirements applied to all mortgage servicers, while others applied differentially based on whether a mortgage servicer had foreclosed on more than 175 homes in the past year (“larger servicers”).
The drafting of the 175-foreclosure threshold presumed that any person subject to the law would be either a chartered depository institution or a licensed lender. This presumption failed to recognize that California law allows for de minimis mortgage lending that does not require a person to first obtain a license. For example, the Real Estate Law establishes a threshold of eight or more loans in a calendar year as one condition that could trigger a real estate broker to be required to have a license.
This bill clarifies that two HBOR provisions apply to unlicensed lenders who make and service fewer than eight loans per year in the same manner as those provisions apply to licensed mortgage servicers who foreclose on no more than 175 properties in year (“smaller servicers”). The first provision is a requirement that larger servicers must assign a single point of contact to a borrower when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative. Like smaller servicers, a person making seven or fewer loans would not be required to comply with this requirement. The second provision is a prohibition on smaller servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process when a loan modification request is being processed or when a borrower is in compliance with a foreclosure prevention alternative. These tiny unlicensed servicers would similarly be prohibited from the same activity.
This bill also deletes vestigial provisions that temporarily extended HBOR protections to properties owned by small landlords during the pandemic. Those provisions were enacted in 2020 with a sunset date of January 1, 2023.
- Force majeure. This bill establishes procedures for the postponement of a trustee sale if an act of force majeure prevents access to the location of the sale. The doctrine of force majeure refers to an unexpected, impossible to overcome interference that effectively prevents at least one party to a contract from performing their duties under the contract. Such interference includes acts of God, like fire or flood, but can also include civil disorder or infrastructure failures (e.g., transportation delay or failure).
Trustee sales take place at the time and location specified in the notice of sale, as required by state law. In many cases, these sales take place on the courthouse steps in the county where the property is located. Any postponement is required to be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale.
So, what happens if a trustee is unable to access the sale location at the time of sale? As an example, protests have disrupted a scheduled trustee sale, making it impossible to conduct the required auction. It is also easy to imagine a fire, flood, or earthquake making it impossible to conduct a sale at the specified time and place. To address these unexpected events that cannot be avoided or prevented, this bill specifies that, if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale, then the sale is postponed seven days at the same time and location.
- Method of payment. Existing law provides that a trustee, in conducting a trustee sale, may require a bidder to show evidence of the bidder’s ability to pay the full amount of their bid in cash or check and for the trustee to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale. Under procedures in place today, a bidder may provide checks or cashier’s checks made payable to the bidder themselves or to “cash.” Some financial institutions have been reluctant to accept checks made payable to the bidder or to cash, making it difficult for the trustee to access funds, likely due to fraud mitigation practices employed by those financial institutions. This bill proposes to authorize a trustee to require that such checks be made payable to the trustee, so that the trustee does not have problems accessing funds necessary to complete the sale process.
- Eligible bids in the post-auction bidding window. The state of California recently enacted laws that allow certain tenant buyers, prospective owner-occupants, and certain nonprofits to match or exceed the highest bid at a trustee sale, providing opportunities for homeownership or the preservation of affordable rental housing that would otherwise be unlikely if the trustee sale concluded with the highest bid at auction. The process for post-auction bids is relatively new, established through legislation in 2020 that was subsequently clarified and added to in 2022.
According to the United Trustees Association, these new laws have created an environment “where trustee’s sale bidders, alleged nonprofits, and prospective owner-occupants are parsing every word of the statute, seeking to advantage themselves and suing or threatening to sue the trustee over any perceived ambiguity.” This bill seeks to address one remaining source of ambiguity: the methods by which a trustee may accept a bid on the last day that bids are eligible to be received. The amendment clarifies that the bid must be sent by certified mail with the US Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
Comments
Purpose. According to the author:
Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 6 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale. This bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HBOR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California.
FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No
SUPPORT: (Verified 5/6/24)
California Mortgage Association (co-source)
United Trustees Association (co-source)
OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/6/24)
None received
ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT: The United Trustees Association and California Mortgage Association, as sponsors, write in support:
Under the Homeowner Bill of Rights, unlicensed tiny lenders and servicers must comply with the more substantial requirements intended for the larger entities. Unfortunately, these tiny lenders do not have the robust loss mitigation departments, policies, or procedures to comply with these substantial requirements. SB 1146 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that these tiny lenders and servicers shall comply with the more streamlined HBOR obligations.
When a borrower goes into foreclosure, the lender or the trustee may sell the property at a trustee’s sale. Trustees who conduct nonjudicial foreclosures of real estate loans must strictly conform with the requirements of the California Civil Code. If a trustee fails to strictly adhere then the foreclosure may be invalidated; thus, it is important that nonjudicial foreclosure laws are precise. The fair and equal administration of the foreclosure statutes is critical to maintaining lender and borrower confidence in our system of real estate finance. SB 1146 seeks to make various clarifying and technical changes to these nonjudicial foreclosure laws.
Prepared by: Michael Burdick / B. & F.I. /
5/7/24 10:52:30
**** END ****
Senator Thomas Umberg, Chair
2023-2024 Regular Session
Bill No: SB 1146 (Author:Wilk)
Version: April 1, 2024
Hearing Date: April 30, 2024
Fiscal: No
Urgency: No
Consultant: ID
SUBJECT
Mortgages
DIGEST
This bill makes various changes to the laws related to mortgage servicing and the non-judicial foreclosure process.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
This bill makes six changes to the various laws relating to mortgages and the foreclosure process. Existing law places various requirements on sellers and brokers of mortgages for the purposes of protecting homebuyers and their rights. Two of these requirements include that a broker provide a single point-of-contact for a borrower when they request a foreclosure alternative, and that mortgage servicers must not proceed with the foreclosure process while a first lien loan modification application is pending. Exempted from these requirements are federally-chartered depository institutions and persons licensed with the state as Real Estate brokers or salespersons, financial lenders, or residential mortgage lenders that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties containing no more than four dwelling units within California during the previous year. This bill aims to exempt from these requirements persons or entities who handle seven or fewer foreclosures a year, even if they are not licensed. This bill also makes amendments to the trustee’s sale of a property in the non-judicial foreclosure process by allowing for a postponement of the trustee’s sale by one business day for an act of force majeure, and by allowing a trustee to require that winning bidders who pay their bid by check to make out the check directly to the trustee, as specified. This bill also makes specified changes to the post-trustee’s sale bidding process created by SB 1079 (Skinner, Ch. Ch. 202, Stats. 2020), and various other changes related to the processing of a cure of a mortgage default and other provisions. SB 1146 is sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, and the Committee has received no timely support or opposition.
PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE LAW
Existing law:
- Requires a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Exempts from this requirement the following categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law; a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act; or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civ. Code § 2923.7.)
- Prohibits certain mortgage servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding their eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the servicer from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative. Applies these prohibitions to categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law; a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act; or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civ. Code § 2924.18.)
- Extended specified protections provided by the Homeowner Bill of Rights to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023. (Civ. Code § 2924.15(a)(2).)
- Requires a trustee to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default when a trustor or mortgagor cures the default. (Civ. Code § 2924c(a)(2).)
- Specifies a process for the completion of a trustee’s sale pursuant to non-judicial foreclosure, including that a notice of sale must be posted at least 20 days prior to the scheduled sale, the time and location of the sale, the postponement of the sale, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced. Specifies the circumstances in which a trustee’s sale may be postponed, and requires that the postponement be announced at the time and place of the originally-scheduled sale. (Civ. Code § 2924g.)
- Authorizes a trustee to require specified conditions related to bidders at a trustee’s sale, including that they provide proof that they can pay the amount of their bid. Provides that a trustee may withhold issuance of the deed to a foreclosed property to the winning bidder until funds have become available for deposit of the winning bidder’s bid made by check or a cash equivalent. (Civ. Code § 2924h.)
- Provides a process for a specified eligible bidder or eligible tenant buyer to meet or exceed the highest bid at a trustee’s sale, if the eligible bidder’s bid is received by the trustee within 45 days of the trustee’s sale, as specified. Provides that the trustee must not receive any eligible bidder’s bid on the last day of that 45-day period if the bid is not sent by certified or overnight mail. (Civ. Code § 2924m.)
This bill:
- Adds an exemption to the provision requiring a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified, for a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
- Provides that a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential property in a calendar year is exempted from the requirements that a mortgage servicer, trustee, mortgagee, beneficiary, or authorized agent shall not proceed with the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding their eligibility for the requested loan modification.
- Eliminates specified provisions that provided certain protections, until January 1, 2023, to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust when it is secured by an owner-occupied residential real property of no more than four dwellings and occupied by a tenant who was unable to make rent payments due to a reduction in income resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Clarifies that a trustee is not required to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default when the default is cured, if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
- Authorizes a trustee to postpone a sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale, and exempts a trustee from having to announce the postponement at the time and place of the originally-scheduled sale when the postponement is due to a force majeure.
- Provides that such a sale be postponed to the next business day at the same time and location.
- Defines “an act of force majeure” to mean an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustee’s control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
- Authorizes a trustee, in conducting a trustee’s sale:
- to require a noncash bid to be made directly to the trustee, if that requirement is set forth by the trustee in the notice of sale;
- to require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
- Prohibits a trustee, in relation to a bid from an eligible bidder during the 45 days after a trustee’s sale, from receiving any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the U.S. Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
COMMENTS
- Author’s statement
According to the author:
SB 1146 is an omnibus style, cleanup measure to California’s non-judicial foreclosure and mortgage laws. Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 6 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale. Specifically, this bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HOBR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California.
- Exemptions from the requirements of the homeowner’s bill of rights
SB 1146 makes a variety of changes to California laws relating to mortgages and foreclosures. The first change that it makes provides exemptions to specified rules in the Homeowner’s Bill of Rights. During the Great Recession of 2008, thousands of people across California and the entire country lost their homes due to the economic downturn and the collapse of the housing market. In the height of the recession, loan servicers engaged in predatory activities toward those facing foreclosure, and many individuals were foreclosed upon as a result of these actions. Many who lost their homes did not know their rights in the foreclosure process. As a result, the California Legislature passed two bills collectively known as the Homeowner’s Bill of Rights (HBOR). (SB 900, Leno, Ch. 87, Stats. 2012; AB 278, Eng, Ch. 86, Stats. 2012.) HBOR put into place a set of procedural protections designed to prevent loan servicer abuses and ensure homeowners facing foreclosure could access alternatives to foreclosure.
One of the procedures included a requirement that, when a homeowner requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, the mortgage servicer must promptly establish a single point of contact and provide one or more direct means of communication with this single point of contact. (Civ. Code § 2923.7.) The single point of contact is responsible for communicating processes and deadlines, coordinating receipt of all documents, adequately informing the homeowner of the status of their foreclosure alternative, ensuring that the homeowner is considered for all foreclosure alternatives offered by the mortgage servicer, and for having access to individuals with the ability and authority to stop foreclosure proceedings. Exempted from this single point of contact are federally-chartered institutions and persons licensed with the state as Real Estate brokers or salespersons, financial lenders, or residential mortgage lenders that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties containing no more than four dwelling units within the California during the previous year. (Civ. Code § 2923.7(g).)
Another of the protections in HBOR requires that, if a borrower submits a complete application for a first lien loan modification at least five days before a scheduled foreclosure sale, the notice of default and notice of sale must not be recorded and the sale cannot be conducted while the first lien loan modification application is pending. (Civ. Code § 2924.18.) Like with the single-point-of-contact requirement in Civil Code Section 2924.15, this requirement that the foreclosure process not continue while a borrower is pursuing a first lien loan modification does not apply to chartered depository institutions or licensed sellers or brokers who foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year.
SB 1146 adds to the exemptions of both the single-point-of-contact requirement and the requirement that a foreclosure not proceed while a first lien loan modification is pending. It also exempts a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential property in a calendar year. As the exemption is currently written, it only applies to real estate brokers who are licensed. However, California real estate law exempts from the requirement that a real estate broker be licensed any real estate broker who handles less than eight real property sales or loans in a calendar year. (Bus. & Prof. Code § 10131.1.) In addition, California financing law exempts from its licensing requirements as a financial lender any person who makes five or fewer commercial loans in a 12-month period when those loans are incidental to their business. (Fin. Code § 22050.) Considering that these individuals, based on the few numbers of loans which they process, are not required to be licensed, SB 1146 seeks to allow them to also be exempt from the HBOR requirement of providing a single point-of-contact. If they were licensed, they would otherwise fall within the exception currently in law.
- SB 1146 eliminates Small Landlord provisions relating to COVID-19
Current law prescribes a variety of requirements that must be met before a power of sale under a mortgage or deed of trust can be exercised. These requirements include requirements about the notices of default and sale and specified periods of time that must elapse between the recording of such notices and the sale. Current law also limits the actions that mortgage servicers may take with regard to foreclosure while a borrower is attempting to secure a loan modification. Some of these requirements currently apply only to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that is secured by an owner-occupied residential real property containing no more than four dwelling units. (Civ. Code § 2924.15.) The Tenant, Homeowner, and Small Landlord Relief and Stabilization Act of 2020 (AB 3088, Chiu, Ch. 37, Stats. 2020) applied those protections to a first lien mortgage or deed of trust that is secured by residential real property that is occupied by a tenant, that contains no more than four dwelling units, where the tenant is unable to pay rent due to a reduction in income resulting from the novel coronavirus, and that meets other specified criteria. These provisions were extended in such instances to protect small landlords who were having difficulty paying their mortgages due to reduced rental income from tenants affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. This extension expired on January 1, 2023.
This bill eliminates the extension of the specified protections for first lien mortgages to situations where the property’s owner is unable to pay rent due to COVID-19, as those provisions are no longer operative.
- Rescissions of notices of default in cases of a full reconveyance for a mortgage default
Under current law, if a borrower of a mortgage on real property fails to pay their mortgage, a notice of default may be issued and foreclosure proceedings may commence on the property. However, if the borrower is able to pay the entire amount due, and thus cure the default, the beneficiary or mortgagee of the mortgage or their agent must execute and deliver to the trustee a notice of rescission of the notice of default within 21 days of the reinstatement. (Civ. Code 2924c(a)(2).) The trustee is required to have the notice of rescission recorded with the county recorder within 30 days of receipt of the notice of rescission and all allowable costs.
This bill adjusts this last requirement for trustees to record the notice of rescission for situations where it would be unnecessary to record a rescission of the default. Such a rescission would be unnecessary where the borrower pays the mortgage in full, such that the mortgage no longer exists and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is recorded. This bill allows that a trustee need not record the notice of rescission in such a circumstance.
- Postponements of a non-judicial foreclosure sale due to a force majeure
When a foreclosure proceeds to a sale of the property foreclosed upon, current law specifies how the sale must be conducted and noticed. A foreclosure sale must be noticed by a posting of a written notice indicating the time and place of the sale at least 20 days before the day of the sale. (Civ. Code § 2924f.) This notice must be posted in a public place in the city or county where it is to be sold, in a local newspaper, and in a conspicuous place on the property to be sold. Law specifies that the foreclosure sale must take place in the county where the property or some part of it is located by auction to the highest bidder. (Civ. Code § 2924g.) The time and place for the sale must be specified in the notice of sale, and any postponement of the sale must be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. A foreclosure sale under current law can only be postponed under the following circumstances: upon order of any court; if the sale is stayed by operation of law; by mutual agreement between the trustor and beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee; or at the discretion of the trustee. (Civ. Code § 2924g(c).)
SB 1146 amends this procedure to account for instances in which the foreclosure sale is not possible at the time and place in the notice of sale due to force majeure. The concept of force majeure in the law refers to an unexpected and unavoidable occurrence that interferes with or prevents a party to a contract from fulfilling their obligations. Force majeure often entails natural disasters like fires or floods, or other such “acts of god.” It can also include unexpected events like civil unrest or man-made disasters.
An act of force majeure may prevent a trustee from being able to complete a foreclosure sale at the time and place designated in to the notice of sale. Under current law, if that is the case, the postponement must still be announced and noticed at the time and place that the original foreclosure sale was meant to take place. However, certain force majeure events may effectively prevent even this notice, as the location may be inaccessible or unsafe.
SB 1146 attempts to address such situations by allowing for a one-day postponement of the foreclosure sale when an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale. SB 1146 defines an act of force majeure for its provisions to mean an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled, that is outside of the trustee’s control, and that renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical. It exempts a postponement under an act of force majeure from the requirements that the postponement be announced by the trustee at the time and place of the originally-scheduled sale.
Considering the laws around foreclosure sales are exacting in requirements regarding notice of the sale or of any postponement, the author may wish to consider requiring that the original notice of sale include notice of the possibility that the sale may be postponed by a day for an act of force majeure. Such an inclusion would help ensure that, if a sale needs to be postponed for an act of force majeure, the public would have prior notice of this possibility.
It is also possible that an act of force majeure may make a place for a foreclosure sale inaccessible or impractical for the sale for longer than one day. An earthquake, for example, may result in significant debris at the sale site that is not moved for days or weeks. In such a scenario, even the one-day postponement for the act of force majeure may not be workable. The author may wish to address this potentiality with additional amendments that clarify the process for acts of force majeure that prevent the one-day postponement from occurring as well.
- Amendments
To ensure clarity regarding the process when an act of force majeure lasts more than one day, the author has agreed to amendments that extends the postponement in a force majeure from the next business day to seven days, at the same time and location. A mock-up of the amendments are attached at the end of this analysis.
- Clarifications regarding payment for winning bidders in a trustee’s sale
At a foreclosure sale, bidders make bids to purchase the property as an auction sale. Each bid is considered an irrevocable offer to purchase the property. The trustee that is conducting the sale has the right to require every bidder to show evidence of their ability to deposit with the trustee the full amount of their bid in cash, a cashier’s check, a check, or a cash equivalent. (Civ. Code § 2924h.) The trustee also has the right to require the last and highest bidder to deposit the full amount of their final bid immediately prior to the completion of the sale. The trustee is allowed to withhold issuance of the deed to the property until the successful bidder’s funds become available if they are paying by a check or a designated cash equivalent.
SB 1146 clarifies that a trustee, in completing the sale and requiring deposit of the winning bid by the bidder, may require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary. According to the author, trustees report difficulty depositing “third party checks” of successful bidders; thus, this change is designed to ease the process by which the trustee deposits successful bidders’ winning bids and issues the deed to that bidder.
- The post-trustee’s sale bidding process
In 2020, the Legislature passed SB 1079 (Skinner, Ch. 202, Stats. 2020) to create a process (known as the “SB 1079 process”) in which certain eligible bidders (prospective owner-occupants; existing tenants living in the property; and designated entities, including nonprofit affordable housing providers, community land trusts, limited-equity housing cooperatives, and public entities) could acquire single-family homes by matching or exceeding bids placed at foreclosure auctions. AB 1837 (Bonta, Ch. 642, Stats. 2022), sought to remedy some SB 1079 implementation challenges. The SB 1079 process allows that a trustee’s foreclosure sale is not final until certain time periods during which eligible bidders may submit a bid exceeding the final bid amount have passed. If an eligible bidder has provided notice of their intent to place a bid within the first 15 days after the sale, and the eligible bidder then submits to the trustee a bid within 45 days of the trustee’s sale in an amount that exceeds the last and highest bid at the trustee’s sale, the eligible bidder will be considered the last and highest bidder. (Civ. Code § 2924m(c)(4).) This provision prescribes various requirements on these bids, including that the bid must be received by the trustee no later than 5 p.m. on the 45th day after the trustee’s sale and that the trustee must not receive any bid on the last day that is not sent by certified mail or overnight mail.
SB 1146 amends this last provision to require that a trustee must not receive any bid on the 45th day that is not sent by certified mail with the United States Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
- Arguments in support
According to the California Mortgage Association, which is the sponsor of SB 1146:
California enacted the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HOBR) in 2012 as a set of changes to non-judicial foreclosure and lending laws. One provision differentiated amongst lenders and servicers based on the number of annual foreclosures. Those lenders and servicers with 175 or more annual foreclosures have more substantial reporting and other requirements than the smaller lenders and servicers. Those licensed persons or entities which have fewer than 175 annual foreclosures have slightly streamlined obligations. Lost in the definitions are the very small/mom and pop lenders and servicers who might make and service a few loans, but do not meet the current licensing requirements laid out in California law. Thus, these unlicensed tiny lenders and servicers must comply with the more substantial requirements intended for the larger entities. Unfortunately, these tiny lenders do not have the robust loss mitigation departments, policies, or procedures to comply with these substantial requirements. SB 1146 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that these tiny lenders and servicers shall comply with the more streamlined HOBR obligations.
When a borrower goes into foreclosure, the lender or the trustee may sell the property at a trustee’s sale. Trustees who conduct non-judicial foreclosures of real estate loans must strictly conform with the requirements of the California Civil Code. If a trustee fails to strictly adhere the foreclosure may be invalidated; thus, it is important that non-judicial foreclosure laws are precise. The fair and equal administration of the foreclosure statutes is critical to maintaining lender and borrower confidence in our system of real estate finance. SB 1146 seeks to make various clarifying and technical changes to these non-judicial foreclosure laws. Specifically, SB 1146 replaces the vague term "overnight mail" with specific instructions to use certified mail or an independent courier in post-trustee's sale bidding processes, how bids are made payable to trustees, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale due to unforeseeable events.
SUPPORT
California Mortgage Association (sponsor)
United Trustees Association (sponsor)
OPPOSITION
None received
RELATED LEGISLATION
Pending Legislation: None known.
Prior Legislation:
AB 1837 (Mia Bonta, Ch. 642, Stats. 2022) provided anti-fraud modifications and other technical changes to the process created by SB 1079.
AB 1584 (Assembly Housing and Community Development, Ch. , Stats. 2021) limited the extension of HBOR protections to first lien mortgages and deeds of trust, as specified, in instances where a determination on the borrower’s application has not yet been made as of January 1, 2023, the date of the expiration of the extension of HBOR protections.
SB 1079 (Skinner, Ch. 202, Stats. 2020) provided tenants, prospective owner-occupants, nonprofit affordable housing providers, and public entities a 45-day window to purchase foreclosed upon residential properties of four or fewer dwellings, if they are able to match or exceed the highest bid at a preceding trustee foreclosure sale.
SB 818 (Beall, Ch. 404, Stats. 2018) provided rules for servicers of first-lien mortgages secured by owner-occupied principal residences containing one to four dwelling units, commonly referred to as the California Homeowner Bill of Rights.
PRIOR VOTES:
Senate Banking and Financial Institutions Committee (Ayes 7, Noes 0)
**************
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO SB 1146
…
SEC. 5.
Section 2924g of the Civil Code, as amended by Section 5 of Chapter 642 of the Statutes of 2022, is amended to read:
2924g.
(a) (1) All sales of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be held in the county where the property or some part thereof is situated, and shall be made at auction, to the highest bidder, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. on any business day, Monday through Friday.
(2) (A) The sale shall commence at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. Any postponement shall be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale for commencement of the sale or pursuant to paragraph (1) of subdivision (c).
(B) A sale that is postponed pursuant to subparagraph (E) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (c) shall be postponed to the next business dayseven calendar days at the same time and location.
(3) If the sale of more than one parcel of real property has been scheduled for the same time and location by the same trustee, (A) any postponement of any of the sales shall be announced at the time published in the notice of sale, (B) the first sale shall commence at the time published in the notice of sale or immediately after the announcement of any postponement, and (C) each subsequent sale shall take place as soon as possible after the preceding sale has been completed.
(4) Notwithstanding any other law, a sale of property under the power of sale contained in any deed of trust or mortgage shall be subject to the following restriction: a trustee shall not bundle properties for the purpose of sale and each property shall be bid on separately, unless the deed of trust or mortgage requires otherwise.
(b) When the property consists of several known lots or parcels, they shall be sold separately unless the deed of trust or mortgage provides otherwise. When a portion of the property is claimed by a third person, who requires it to be sold separately, the portion subject to the claim may be thus sold. The trustor, if present at the sale, may also, unless the deed of trust or mortgage otherwise provides, direct the order in which property shall be sold, when the property consists of several known lots or parcels which may be sold to advantage separately, and the trustee shall follow that direction. After sufficient property has been sold to satisfy the indebtedness, no more can be sold.
If the property under power of sale is in two or more counties, the public auction sale of all of the property under the power of sale may take place in any one of the counties where the property or a portion thereof is located.
(c) (1) There may be a postponement or postponements of the sale proceedings, including a postponement upon instruction by the beneficiary to the trustee that the sale proceedings be postponed, at any time prior to the completion of the sale for any period of time not to exceed a total of 365 days from the date set forth in the notice of sale. The trustee shall postpone the sale in accordance with any of the following:
(A) Upon the order of any court of competent jurisdiction.
(B) If stayed by operation of law.
(C) By mutual agreement, whether oral or in writing, of any trustor and any beneficiary or any mortgagor and any mortgagee.
(D) At the discretion of the trustee.
(E) If an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of the sale.
(2) In the event that the sale proceedings are postponed for a period or periods totaling more than 365 days, the scheduling of any further sale proceedings shall be preceded by giving a new notice of sale in the manner prescribed in Section 2924f. New fees incurred for the new notice of sale shall not exceed the amounts specified in Sections 2924c and 2924d, and shall not exceed reasonable costs that are necessary to comply with this paragraph.
(d) (1) The notice of each postponement and the reason therefor shall be given by public declaration by the trustee at the time and place last appointed for sale. A public declaration of postponement shall also set forth the new date, time, and place of sale and the place of sale shall be the same place as originally fixed by the trustee for the sale. No other notice of postponement need be given. However, the sale shall be conducted no sooner than on the seventh day after the earlier of (1) dismissal of the action or (2) expiration or termination of the injunction, restraining order, or stay that required postponement of the sale, whether by entry of an order by a court of competent jurisdiction, operation of law, or otherwise, unless the injunction, restraining order, or subsequent order expressly directs the conduct of the sale within that seven-day period. For purposes of this subdivision, the seven-day period shall not include the day on which the action is dismissed, or the day on which the injunction, restraining order, or stay expires or is terminated. If the sale had been scheduled to occur, but this subdivision precludes its conduct during that seven-day period, a new notice of postponement shall be given if the sale had been scheduled to occur during that seven-day period. The trustee shall maintain records of each postponement and the reason therefor.
(2) The public declaration described in paragraph (1) shall not be required if the sale is postponed because an act of force majeure prevented access to the sale location.
(e) Notwithstanding the time periods established under subdivision (d), if postponement of a sale is based on a stay imposed by Title 11 of the United States Code (bankruptcy), the sale shall be conducted no sooner than the expiration of the stay imposed by that title and the seven-day provision of subdivision (d) shall not apply.
(f) For purposes of this section, “an act of force majeure” means an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustee’s control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
(g) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2031, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute that is enacted before January 1, 2031, deletes or extends that date.
…
SENATE COMMITTEE ON
BANKING AND FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
Senator Monique Limón, Chair
2023 - 2024 Regular
Bill No: SB 1146 Hearing Date: April 17, 2024
Author: | Wilk | ||
Version: | April 1, 2024 Amended | ||
Urgency: | No | Fiscal: | No |
Consultant: | Michael Burdick | ||
Subject: Mortgages
SUMMARY
This bill makes technical and clarifying changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and non-judicial foreclosure processes.
EXISTING LAW
- Requires a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified. Exempts from this requirement the following categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2923.7)
- Prohibits certain mortgage servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the servicer from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative. This section applies to categories of persons that foreclosed on 175 or fewer residential real properties in the previous year: a depository institution chartered under state or federal law, a person licensed pursuant to the California Financing Law or California Residential Mortgage Lending Act, or a person licensed under the Real Estate Law. (Civil Code Section 2924.18)
- Extended specified protections provided by the Homeowner Bill of Rights to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023. (Civil Code Section 2924.15(a)(2))
- Requires a trustee to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default. (Civil Code Section 2924c(a)(2))
- Specifies the process for a trustee’s sale, including the time and location of the sale, postponement of the sales, and how a postponement of the sale must be announced. (Civil Code Section 2924g)
- Authorizes a trustee to require specified conditions related to bidders at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924h(b) and (c))
- Provides a process for a specified eligible bidder or eligible tenant buyer to meet or exceed the highest bid at a trustee’s sale. (Civil Code Section 2924m)
THIS BILL
- Adds the following exemption to the provision requiring a mortgage servicer to establish a single point of contact when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative, as specified: a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential real property in a calendar year.
- Provides that a person or entity that makes and services seven or fewer loans for the purchase of residential property in a calendar year is prohibited from taking the next step in the foreclosure process while a complete first lien loan modification application is pending and until the borrower has been provided with a written determination regarding his or her eligibility for the requested loan modification. If a foreclosure prevention alternative is approved, prohibits the person or entity from taking the next step in the foreclosure process so long as the borrower remains in compliance with the terms of the foreclosure prevention alternative.
- Deletes specified provisions of the Homeowner Bill of Rights that pertained to certain real property occupied by a tenant, until January 1, 2023.
- Clarifies that a trustee is not required to record a notice of rescission, as specified, related to a declaration of default and demand for sale upon a trustor or mortgagor curing the default, if the mortgage or deed of trust is paid in full and a full reconveyance or certificate of discharge is properly recorded.
- Authorizes a trustee to postpone a sale of property under the power of sale contained in a deed of trust or mortgage if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale.
- Provides that such a sale be postponed to the next business day at the same time and location.
- Defines “an act of force majeure” to mean an event that was unforeseeable at the time the sale was scheduled that is outside of the trustee’s control and renders completion of the sale impossible or impractical.
- Exempts a sale postponed because of an act of force majeure from requiring a trustee to give a specified public declaration.
- Authorizes a trustee, in conducting a trustee’s sale:
- To require a noncash bid to be made directly to the trustee, if that requirement is set for by the trustee in the notice of sale.
- To require the successful bidder to replace a check drawn by a credit union or a savings and loan association or cash equivalent with a check or cash equivalent made directly payable to the trustee if necessary for the funds to be made available to the trustee.
- Prohibits a trustee, in relation to a bid from an eligible bidder during the 45 days after a trustee’s sale, from receiving any bid that is not sent by certified mail with the U.S. Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
COMMENTS
- PURPOSE
According to the author:
Sponsored by the California Mortgage Association and the United Trustees Association, this bill seeks to make 6 changes to clarify the trustee sale procedures, how bids are made payable, and when to automatically postpone a trustee’s sale. This bill seeks to clarify whether the Homeowners Bill of Rights (HBOR) reporting and other requirements should apply to very small entities, which make such few loans that these entities are not required to be licensed in California.
- BACKGROUND
This bill makes disparate technical changes to laws related to mortgage servicing and to the procedures governing a trustee sale, which is one of the last steps in California’s non-judicial foreclosure process. The provisions of the bill are intended to be noncontroversial and clarifying. The bill proposes the following changes to existing law.
- HBOR clarifications
In the aftermath of the 2007 subprime mortgage meltdown, California enacted various protections intended to prevent avoidable foreclosures. These protections generally took the form of procedural requirements placed on mortgage servicers before the completion of a non-judicial foreclosure. Some requirements applied to all mortgage servicers, while others applied differentially based on whether a mortgage servicer had foreclosed on more than 175 homes in the past year (“larger servicers”).
The drafting of the 175-foreclosure threshold presumed that any person subject to the law would be either a chartered depository institution or a licensed lender. This presumption failed to recognize that California law allows for de minimis mortgage lending that does not require a person to first obtain a license. For example, the Real Estate Law establishes a threshold of eight or more loans in a calendar year as one condition that could trigger a real estate broker to be required to have a license.
This bill clarifies that two HBOR provisions apply to unlicensed lenders who make and service fewer than eight loans per year in the same manner as those provisions apply to licensed mortgage servicers who foreclose on no more than 175 properties in year (“smaller servicers”). The first provision is a requirement that larger servicers must assign a single point of contact to a borrower when a borrower requests a foreclosure prevention alternative. Like smaller servicers, a person making seven or fewer loans would not be required to comply with this requirement. The second provision is a prohibition on smaller servicers from taking the next step in the foreclosure process when a loan modification request is being processed or when a borrower is in compliance with a foreclosure prevention alternative. These tiny unlicensed servicers would similarly be prohibited from the same activity.
The bill also deletes vestigial provisions that temporarily extended HBOR protections to properties owned by small landlords during the pandemic. Those provisions were enacted in 2020 with a sunset date of January 1, 2023.
- Force majeure
This bill establishes procedures for the postponement of a trustee sale if an act of force majeure prevents access to the location of the sale. The doctrine of force majeure refers to an unexpected, impossible to overcome interference that effectively prevents at least one party to a contract from performing their duties under the contract. Such interference includes acts of God, like fire or flood, but can also include civil disorder or infrastructure failures (e.g., transportation delay or failure).
Trustee sales take place at the time and location specified in the notice of sale, as required by state law. In many cases, these sales take place on the courthouse steps in the county where the property is located. Any postponement is required to be announced at the time and location specified in the notice of sale. So, what happens if a trustee is unable to access the sale location at the time of sale? As an example, protests have disrupted a scheduled trustee sale, making it impossible to conduct the required auction. It is also easy to imagine a fire, flood, or earthquake making it impossible to conduct a sale at the specified time and place. To address these unexpected events that cannot be avoided or prevented, this bill specifies that, if an act of force majeure prevents access to the sale location at the time of sale, then the sale is postponed to the next business day at the same time and location.
- Method of payment
Existing law provides that a trustee, in conducting a trustee sale, may require a bidder to show evidence of the bidder’s ability to pay the full amount of their bid in cash or check and for the trustee to conditionally accept and hold these amounts for the duration of the sale. Under procedures in place today, a bidder may provide checks or cashier’s checks made payable to the bidder themselves or to “cash.” Some financial institutions have been reluctant to accept checks made payable to the bidder or to cash, making it difficult for the trustee to access funds, likely due to fraud mitigation practices employed by those financial institutions. This bill proposes to authorize a trustee to require that such checks be made payable to the trustee, so that the trustee does not have problems accessing funds necessary to complete the sale process.
- Eligible bids in the post-auction bidding window
The state of California recently enacted laws that allow certain tenant buyers, prospective owner-occupants, and certain nonprofits to match or exceed the highest bid at a trustee sale, providing opportunities for homeownership or the preservation of affordable rental housing that would otherwise be unlikely if the trustee sale concluded with the highest bid at auction. The process for post-auction bids is relatively new, established through legislation in 2020 that was subsequently clarified and added to in 2022.
According to the United Trustees Association, these new laws have created an environment “where trustee’s sale bidders, alleged nonprofits, and prospective owner-occupants are parsing every word of the statute, seeking to advantage themselves and suing or threatening to sue the trustee over any perceived ambiguity.” This bill seeks to address one remaining source of ambiguity: the methods by which a trustee may accept a bid on the last day that bids are eligible to be received. The amendment clarifies that the bid must be sent by certified mail with the US Postal Service or by another overnight mail courier service with tracking information that confirms the recipient’s signature and the date and time of receipt and delivery.
- ARGUMENTS IN SUPPORT
The United Trustees Association and California Mortgage Association, as sponsors, write in support:
[Under the Homeowner Bill of Rights], unlicensed tiny lenders and servicers must comply with the more substantial requirements intended for the larger entities. Unfortunately, these tiny lenders do not have the robust loss mitigation departments, policies, or procedures to comply with these substantial requirements. SB 1146 seeks to address this issue by clarifying that these tiny lenders and servicers shall comply with the more streamlined HOBR obligations.
When a borrower goes into foreclosure, the lender or the trustee may sell the property at a trustee’s sale. Trustees who conduct nonjudicial foreclosures of real estate loans must strictly conform with the requirements of the California Civil Code. If a trustee fails to strictly adhere then the foreclosure may be invalidated; thus, it is important that nonjudicial foreclosure laws are precise. The fair and equal administration of the foreclosure statutes is critical to maintaining lender and borrower confidence in our system of real estate finance. SB 1146 seeks to make various clarifying and technical changes to these nonjudicial foreclosure laws.
- DOUBLE-REFERRAL
This bill is double-referred to the Committee on Judiciary.
- PRIOR AND RELATED LEGISLATION
AB 1837 (Mia Bonta, Chapter 642, Statutes of 2022) provides anti-fraud modifications and other operational improvements to the process created by SB 1079 (see below).
SB 1079 (Skinner, Chapter 202, Statutes of 2020) provides tenants, prospective owner-occupants, nonprofit affordable housing providers, and public entities a 45-day window to purchase residential properties of 1-4 units if they were able to match or exceed the highest bid at a preceding foreclosure auction.
SB 818 (Beall, Chapter 404, Statutes of 2018) provides rules for servicers of first-lien mortgages secured by owner-occupied principal residences containing one to four dwelling units, commonly referred to as the California Homeowner Bill of Rights.
LIST OF REGISTERED SUPPORT/OPPOSITION
Support
California Mortgage Association (co-sponsor)
United Trustees Association (co-sponsor)
Opposition
None received
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Discussed in Hearing
Assembly Floor
Assembly Floor
Assembly Standing Committee on Banking and Finance
Bill Author
Bill Co-Author(s):