Effective 28 Aug 2001

441.520. Parties to action — designation of registered agent required, when. — 1. The action to appoint a receiver authorized by section 441.510 shall be commenced by the filing of a verified petition by the county, municipality, local housing corporation or neighborhood association.

2. There shall be named as defendants:

(1) The last owner of record of the dwelling as of the date of the filing of the petition; and

(2) The last holder of record of any mortgage, deed of trust, or other lien of record against the building as of the date of the filing of the petition.

3. Any owner of the dwelling who is not a party defendant may be permitted by the court to join as a party defendant.

4. (1) Any owner, whether or not a citizen or resident of this state, who in person or through agent, owns, uses, or is possessed of any real estate situated in this state thereby subjects himself or itself to the jurisdiction of the courts of this state as to any cause of action arising pursuant to the provisions of sections 441.500 to 441.643. Personal service of process shall be made in accordance with the rules of civil procedure; provided that, if such service cannot with due diligence be made, service of process may be made by personally serving process upon the defendant outside this state, or by service in accordance with the rules of civil procedure as in all cases affecting a res within the jurisdiction of the court.

(2) If a landlord of residential property is not a resident of this state or is a corporation, the landlord shall designate an agent upon whom service of process may be made in this state. The agent shall be a resident of this state or a corporation authorized to transact business in this state. The designation shall be in writing and include the address and the name of the registered agent and shall be filed in the office of the secretary of state. If no designation is made and filed or if process cannot be served in this state upon the designated agent, process may be served upon the secretary of state, but service upon him or her is not effective unless the petitioner forthwith mails a copy of the process and pleading by certified mail to the defendant or respondent at the address stated on the assessor's records for the subject property. An affidavit of compliance with this section shall be filed with the clerk of the court.

5. Any action brought pursuant to the provisions of sections 441.500 to 441.643 shall be expedited by the court and may be given precedence over other suits.

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(L. 1969 p. 537 § 3, A.L. 1971 H.B. 205, A.L. 1995 H.B. 383, A.L. 1998 H.B. 977 & 1608, A.L. 2001 H.B. 133)