§ 39-143. Registration of abandoned and vacant real property.

(a)

Upon default by the mortgagor, any mortgagee holding a mortgage on residential real property located within the unincorporated areas of Broward County shall perform an inspection of the property that is the security for the mortgage prior to the issuance of a notice of default. If the property is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy, it shall be deemed abandoned and the mortgagee shall, within ten (10) days of the inspection, register the property with the Division on forms provided by the Division.

(b)

If the property is occupied but remains in default, it shall be inspected by the mortgagee, or designee, monthly until: (1) the mortgagor or other party remedies the default; or (2) it is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy at which time it is deemed abandoned and the mortgagee shall, within ten (10) days of the inspection, register the property with the Division on forms provided by the Division.

(c)

Registration pursuant to this article shall contain the name of the mortgagee, the direct mailing address of the mortgagee, a direct contact name and telephone number of the mortgagee, a facsimile number and/or email address for the mortgagee, and, in the case of a corporation or out-of-area mortgagee, the local property management company responsible for the maintenance and security of the property.

(d)

A nonrefundable annual registration fee in the amount of One Hundred Fifty Dollars ($150) per property shall accompany the registration form(s) pursuant to this article. The annual registration fee shall correspond to the fiscal year of the County and the renewal of the registration, along with the payment of the annual fee, shall be completed prior to October 1st of any year. The renewal of the registration, with its accompanying fee, shall be the responsibility of the mortgagee and a failure to do so in a timely manner shall subject the mortgagee to code enforcement action pursuant to Chapter 8½ of the Broward County Code of Ordinances.

(e)

The provisions of this article shall also apply to properties that have been the subject of foreclosure sale, where the title was transferred to the mortgagee/beneficiary of a mortgage involved in the foreclosure, and to any properties transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure/sale.

(f)

Properties subject to the provisions of this article shall remain under the annual registration requirement, maintenance requirements, and security requirements of this article as long as the property remains vacant.

(g)

Any person, persons, or entity that has registered a property under this article must report to the Division any change of required information contained in the registration form(s) within ten (10) days of the change.

(Ord. No. 2009-80, § 2, 12-8-09)