58.1-3970.1 - Appointment of special commissioner to execute title to certain real estate with delinquent taxes or liens to localities.
§ 58.1-3970.1. Appointment of special commissioner to execute title tocertain real estate with delinquent taxes or liens to localities.
In any proceedings under this article for the sale of a parcel or parcels ofreal estate which meet all of the following: (i) each parcel has delinquentreal estate taxes or the locality has a lien against the parcel for removal,repair or securing of a building or structure; removal of trash, garbage,refuse, litter; or the cutting of grass, weeds or other foreign growth, (ii)each parcel has an assessed value of $50,000 or less, and (iii) such taxesand liens, together, including penalty and accumulated interest, exceed 50percent of the assessed value of the parcel or such taxes alone exceed 25percent of the assessed value of the parcel, the locality may petition thecircuit court to appoint a special commissioner to execute the necessary deedor deeds to convey the real estate to the locality in lieu of the sale atpublic auction. After notice as required by this article, service of process,and upon answer filed by the owner or other parties in interest to the billin equity, the court shall allow the parties to present evidence andarguments, ore tenus, prior to the appointment of the special commissioner.Any surplusage accruing to a locality as a result of the sale of the parcelor parcels after the receipt of the deed shall be payable to thebeneficiaries of any liens against the property and to the former owner, hisheirs or assigns in accordance with § 58.1-3967. No deficiency shall becharged against the owner after conveyance to the locality.
(1999, c. 869; 2003, cc. 16, 156; 2004, c. 968.)