207.258—Insurance claim requirements.
(a) Alternative election by mortgagee.
When the mortgagee becomes eligible to receive mortgage insurance benefits pursuant to § 207.255(c), it must, within 45 days thereafter, give the Commissioner notice, in the manner prescribed in 24 CFR part 200, subpart B, of its intention to file an insurance claim and of its election either to assign the mortgage to the Commissioner, as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, or to acquire and convey title to the Commissioner, as provided in paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) Assignment of mortgage to Commissioner.
If the mortgagee elects to assign the mortgage to the Commissioner, it shall, at any time within 30 days after the date of the notice of the election, file its application for insurance benefits and assign to the Commissioner, in such manner as the Commissioner may require, the credit instrument(s) and the realty and chattel security instruments. The Commissioner may extend this 30-day period by written notice that a partial payment of insurance claim under § 207.258b is being considered. The extension shall be for such term, not to exceed 60 days, as the Commissioner prescribes; however, the Commissioner's consideration of a partial payment of claim, or the Commissioner's request that a mortgagee accept partial payment of a claim in accordance with § 207.258b, shall in no way prejudice the morgagee's right to file its application for full insurance benefits within either the 30-day period or any extension prescribed by the Commissioner. The following requirements shall also be met by the morgagee:
(1) Notice of assignment.
On the date the assignment of the mortgage is filed for record, the mortgagee must notify the Commissioner, in the manner prescribed in 24 CFR part 200, subpart B, of such assignment, and must also notify the FHA Comptroller by telegram of such recordation.
(2) Warranty of mortgagee.
The assignment shall be made without recourse or warranty, except that the mortgagee shall warrant that:
(ii)
The mortgage is prior to all mechanics' and materialmen's liens filed on record subsequent to the recording of the mortgage, regardless of whether such liens attached prior to the recording date.
(iii)
The mortgage is prior to all liens and encumbrances which may have attached or defects which may have arisen subsequent to the recording of the mortgage, except such liens or other matters as may be approved by the Commissioner.
(iv)
The amount stated in the instrument of assignment is actually due under the mortgage and there are no offsets or counterclaims against such amount.
(3) Chattel lien warranty.
In assigning its security interest in chattels, including materials, located on the premises covered by the mortgage, or its security interest in building components stored either on-site or off-site at the time of the assignment, the mortgagee shall warrant that:
(i)
No act or omission of the mortgagee has impaired the validity or priority of the lien created by the chattel security instruments; and
(iii)
The chattel security instruments are a first lien on the items covered by the instruments except for such other liens or encumbrances as may be approved by the Commissioner.
(4) Items delivered by mortgagee.
The mortgagee shall deliver to the Commissioner, within 45 days after the assignment is filed for record, the items enumerated below:
(i)
An assignment of all claims of the mortgagee against the mortgagor or others arising out of the mortgage transaction.
(ii)
All policies of title or other insurance or surety bonds or other guaranties, and any and all claims thereunder, including evidence satisfactory to the Commissioner that the effective date of the original title coverage has been extended to include the assignment of the mortgage to the Commissioner.
(iii)
All records, ledger cards, documents, books, papers, and accounts relating to the mortgage transaction.
(iv)
All property of the mortgagor held by the mortgagee or to which it is entitled (other than the cash items which are to be retained by the mortgagee) pursuant to paragraph (b)(5) of this section.
(5) Disposition of cash items.
The following cash items shall either be retained by the mortgagee or delivered to the Commissioner in accordance with instructions to be issued by the Commissioner at the time the insurance claim is filed:
(ii)
Any cash held by the mortgagee or its agents or to which it is entitled, including deposits made for the account of the mortgagor, and which have not been applied in reduction of the principal of the mortgage indebtedness.
(iii)
All funds held by the mortgagee for the account of the mortgagor received pursuant to any other agreement.
(c) Conveyance of title to Commissioner.
If the mortgagee elects to acquire and convey title to the Commissioner, the following requirements shall be met:
(1) Alternative actions by mortgagee.
At any time within a period of 30 days after the date of the notice of such election, the mortgagee shall take one of the alternative actions in paragraph (c) (2) or (3) of this section.
(2) Foreclosure of mortgage.
The mortgagee may elect to commence foreclosure proceedings. If the laws of the State where the property is located do not permit institution of foreclosure within such 30-day period, foreclosure shall be commenced not less than 30 days after such action can be taken. Under such proceedings, the mortgagee shall take one of the following actions:
(i)
Obtain possession of the mortgaged property and the income therefrom through the voluntary surrender thereof by the mortgagor.
(ii)
Institute and prosecute with reasonable diligence, proceedings for the appointment of a receiver to manage the mortgaged property and collect income therefrom.
(iii)
Proceed to exercise such other rights and remedies as may be available to it for the protection and preservation of the mortgaged property and to obtain the income therefrom under the mortgage and the law of the particular jurisdiction.
(3) Acquisition of title and possession.
The mortgagee, with the approval of the Commissioner, may elect to acquire possession of, and title to, the mortgaged property by means other than foreclosure. With the prior approval of the Commissioner, title may be transferred directly to the Commissioner.
(4) Notice of foreclosure.
The mortgagee shall given written notice to the Commissioner within 30 days after the institution of foreclosure proceedings and shall exercise reasonable diligence in prosecuting such proceedings to completion. Any developments which might delay the consummation of such proceedings shall be promptly reported to the Commissioner.
(5) Transfer by mortgagee.
After acquiring title to and possession of the property, the mortgagee shall (within 30 days of such acquisition) transfer title and possession of the property to the Commissioner. The transfer shall be made in such manner as the Commissioner may require. On the date the deed is filed for record, the mortgagee shall notify the Commissioner on a form prescribed by him of the filing of such conveyance, and shall also notify the FHA Assistant Commissioner-Comptroller by telegram of such recordation.
(6) Filing of deed and application.
The mortgagee shall file its application for insurance benefits at the time of filing for record of the deed conveying the property to the Commissioner.
(7) Deed covenants and documents.
The deed conveying the property to the Commissioner shall contain covenants satisfactory to the Commissioner. The original deed shall be forwarded to the Commissioner as soon as received from the recording authority. The following documents shall be forwarded with the deed:
(i)
A bill of sale covering any personal property to which the mortgagee is entitled by reason of the mortgage transaction or by the acceptance of a deed in lieu of foreclosure.
(ii)
An assignment of all claims of the mortgagee against the mortgagor or others arising out of the mortgage transaction and out of the foreclosure proceedings or other means by which the property was acquired.
(iii)
An assignment of any claims on account of title insurance and fire or other hazard insurance, except claims which have been released with the prior approval of the Commissioner.
(8) Title evidence.
Evidence of title, satisfactory to the Commissioner and meeting the requirements of § 207.258a shall be furnished to the Commissioner (without expense to him) within 45 days of the filing for record of the deed conveying the property to him.
(9) Disposition of cash items.
The provisions of paragraph (b)(4) of this section, relating to the retention or delivery of cash items, shall be applicable to cases involving the conveyance of property to the Commissioner.
(Information collection requirements in paragraph (b) were approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 2535-0061)