Section 117.4r - Nonpayment of civil fine or costs or installment payment by defendant; lien; recording; enforcement; priority; collection of judgment; duration of lien; default.
THE HOME RULE CITY ACT (EXCERPT)
Act 279 of 1909
117.4r Nonpayment of civil fine or costs or installment payment by defendant; lien; recording; enforcement; priority; collection of judgment; duration of lien; default.
Sec. 4r.
(1) If a defendant does not pay a civil fine or costs or an installment payment ordered by a hearing officer under section 4q within 30 days after the date on which payment is due for a blight violation involving the use or occupation of land or a building or other structure, the city may obtain a lien against the land, building, or structure involved in the violation by recording a copy of the final decision and order requiring payment of the fines and costs with the register of deeds for the county in which the land, building, or structure is located. The order shall not be recorded unless a legal description of the property is incorporated in or attached to the order. The lien is effective immediately upon recording of the order with the register of deeds.
(2) The order recorded under subsection (1) with the register of deeds shall constitute notice of the pendency of the lien. In addition, a written notice of the lien shall be sent by the city by first-class mail to the owner of record of the land, building, or structure at the owner's last known address.
(3) The lien may be enforced and discharged by the city in the manner prescribed by its charter, by the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.1 to 211.155, or by an ordinance duly passed by the governing body of the city. However, property is not subject to forfeiture, foreclosure, and sale under sections 78 to 79a of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.78 to 211.79a, for nonpayment of a civil fine or costs or an installment ordered under section 4q unless the property is also subject to forfeiture, foreclosure, and sale under sections 78 to 79a of the general property tax act, 1893 PA 206, MCL 211.78 to 211.79a, for delinquent property taxes.
(4) A lien created under this section has priority over any other lien unless 1 or more of the following apply:
(a) The other lien is a lien for taxes or special assessments.
(b) The other lien is created before May 1, 1994.
(c) Federal law provides that the other lien has priority.
(d) The other lien is recorded before the lien under this section is recorded.
(5) The city may institute an action in circuit court for the collection of the judgment imposed by an order under section 4q for a blight violation. However, an attempt by the city to collect the judgment by any process does not invalidate or waive the lien upon the land, building, or structure.
(6) A lien provided for by this section shall not continue for a period longer than 10 years after a copy of the order imposing a fine or costs, or both, is recorded, unless within that time an action to enforce the lien is commenced.
(7) A default in the payment of a civil fine or costs under section 4q or an installment of the fine or costs may be collected by a means authorized for the enforcement of a court judgment under chapter 40 or 60 of the revised judicature act of 1961, 1961 PA 236, MCL 600.4001 to 600.4065, and MCL 600.6001 to 600.6098.
History: Add. 2003, Act 317, Imd. Eff. Jan. 12, 2004 ;-- Am. 2008, Act 51, Imd. Eff. Mar. 28, 2008