Subchapter VII. Assessments; Taxation; Liens
TITLE 25
Property
Mortgages and Other Liens
CHAPTER 22. UNIT PROPERTIES
Subchapter VII. Assessments; Taxation; Liens
§ 2232. Assessments and taxes.
Each unit and its proportionate undivided interest in the common elements, as determined by the declaration and any amendments thereof, shall be assessed and taxed for all purposes as a separate parcel of real estate entirely independent of the building or property of which the unit is a part. Neither the building, the property nor any of the common elements shall be assessed or taxed separately after the declaration and declaration plan are recorded nor shall the same be subject to assessment or taxation except as the units and their proportionate undivided interests in the common elements are assessed and taxed pursuant to the provisions of this section.
25 Del. C. 1953, § 2232; 54 Del. Laws, c. 282.;
§ 2233. Assessment of charges.
All sums assessed by resolutions duly adopted by the council against any unit for the share of common expenses chargeable to that unit shall constitute the personal liability of the owner of the unit so assessed and shall, until fully paid, together with interest thereon at a rate not to exceed 18% per annum from the thirtieth day following the adoption of such resolutions, constitute a charge against such unit which shall be enforceable as provided in the next section.
25 Del. C. 1953, § 2233; 54 Del. Laws, c. 282; 63 Del. Laws, c. 394, § 1.;
§ 2234. Method of enforcing charges.
Any charge assessed against a unit may be enforced by an action at law by the council acting on behalf of the unit owners, provided that each action, when filed, shall refer to this chapter and to the unit against which the assessment is made and the owner thereof. Any judgment against a unit and its owner shall be enforceable in the same manner as is otherwise provided by law.
25 Del. C. 1953, § 2234; 54 Del. Laws, c. 282.;
§ 2235. Mechanics' liens against units.
Any mechanics' liens arising as a result of repairs to or improvements of a unit by a unit owner shall be liens only against such unit. Any mechanics' liens arising as a result of repairs to or improvements of the common elements, if authorized in writing pursuant to a duly adopted resolution of the council, shall be paid by the council as a common expense and until so paid shall be liens against each unit in a percentage equal to the proportionate share of the common elements relating to such unit.
25 Del. C. 1953, § 2235; 54 Del. Laws, c. 282.;
§ 2236. Unpaid assessments at time of execution sale against a unit.
In the event that title to a unit is transferred by sheriff's sale pursuant to execution upon any lien against the unit, the council may give notice in writing to the sheriff of any unpaid assessments for common expenses which are a charge against the unit, but have not been reduced to lien pursuant to § 2234 of this title, and the sheriff shall pay the assessments of which the sheriff has such notice out of any proceeds of the sale which remain in the sheriff's hands for distribution after payment of all other claims, which the sheriff is required by law to pay, but prior to any distribution of the balance to the former unit owner against whom the execution issued. The purchaser at such sheriff's sale and the unit involved shall not be liable for unpaid assessments for common expenses which became due prior to the sheriff's sale of the unit. Any such unpaid assessments which cannot be promptly collected from the former unit owner may be reassessed by the council as a common expense to be collected from all of the unit owners including such purchaser, the purchaser's heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns. To protect its right to collect unpaid assessments which are a charge against a unit, the council may, on behalf of the unit owners, purchase the unit at sheriff's sale, provided such action is authorized by the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of council and, if it does so purchase, the council shall thereafter have the power to hold, sell, convey, mortgage or lease such unit to any person whatsoever.
25 Del. C. 1953, § 2236; 54 Del. Laws, c. 282; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1.;
§ 2237. Unpaid assessments at time of voluntary sale of a unit.
Upon the voluntary sale or conveyance of a unit, the grantee shall be jointly and severally liable with the grantor for all unpaid assessments for common expenses which are a charge against the unit as of the date of the sale or conveyance, but such joint and several liability shall be without prejudice to the grantee's right to recover from the grantor the amount of any such unpaid assessments which the grantee may pay, and until any such assessments are paid, they shall continue to be a charge against the unit which may be enforced in the manner set forth in § 2234 of this title. Provided, however, that any person who shall have entered into a written agreement to purchase a unit shall be entitled to obtain a written statement from the treasurer setting forth the amount of unpaid assessments charged against the unit and its owners and, if such statement does not reveal the full amount of the unpaid assessments as of the date it is rendered, neither the purchaser nor the unit shall be liable for the payment of an amount in excess of the unpaid assessments shown thereon. Any such excess which cannot be promptly collected from the former unit owner may be reassessed by the council as a common expense to be collected from all of the unit owners including the purchaser, the former unit owner's heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns.
25 Del. C. 1953, § 2237; 54 Del. Laws, c. 282; 70 Del. Laws, c. § 1.;