15-18-219. Application for tax deed for residential property -- fee -- notice. (1) (a) If a property tax lien attached to the property provided for in subsection (1)(b) is not redeemed in the time allowed under 15-18-111, the assignee may file an application after the redemption period has expired with the county treasurer for a tax deed for the property. The deed application must contain the same information as is required in 15-18-211(1). The county treasurer shall charge the assignee a $25 application fee. The fee must be deposited in the county general fund.

(b) The following property is subject to the provisions of this section if it contains a dwelling:

(i) land classified as residential pursuant to 15-6-134;

(ii) land classified as agricultural pursuant to 15-6-133(1)(a) and (1)(c); and

(iii) land classified as forest property pursuant to 15-6-143.

(c) For the property provided for in subsection (1)(b)(ii) and (1)(b)(iii), the provisions of this section also apply to other property of the same class that is included on the same tax bill.

(2) An assignee who applies for a tax deed pursuant to this section shall pay the county treasurer at the time of the tax deed application:

(a) the amount required to redeem any unassigned tax liens or tax liens held by other assignees;

(b) any delinquent taxes, penalties, and interest;

(c) current taxes due for the property; and

(d) the cost of filing the notice of a tax deed application.

(3) (a) The county treasurer shall have the county clerk and recorder file a notice of the tax deed application, which constitutes notice of the pendency of the tax deed application with respect to the property and remains effective for 1 year from the date of the filing.

(b) A person acquiring an interest in the property after the tax deed application notice has been filed is considered to be on notice of the pending tax deed sale, and no additional notice is required. The sale of the property automatically releases any filed notice of tax deed application for the property.

(c) If the property is redeemed, the county treasurer shall file a release of the notice of tax deed application.

(4) (a) Prior to applying for a tax deed, the assignee shall notify the parties as required in subsection (4)(b) that a tax deed will be auctioned unless the property tax lien is redeemed before the date of the auction.

(b) The notice required under subsection (4)(a) must be in the form required by 15-18-215(1) and be made by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the current occupant, if any, of the property and to each party, other than a utility, listed on a litigation guarantee, provided that the guarantee:

(i) has been approved by the insurance commissioner and issued by a licensed title insurance producer;

(ii) was ordered on the property by the person required to give notice; and

(iii) lists the identities and addresses of the parties of record that have an interest or possible claim of an interest in the property designed to disclose all parties of record that would otherwise be necessary to name in a quiet title action.

(c) The address to which the notice must be sent is, for each party, the address disclosed by the records in the office of the county clerk and recorder or in the litigation guarantee and, for the occupant, the street address or other known address of the subject property.

(d) If the assignee fails to give notice as required by this subsection (4), as evidenced by failure to file proof of notice with the county clerk and recorder as required in subsection (5), the county treasurer shall cancel the property tax lien evidenced by the tax lien certificate and the assignment certificate. Upon cancellation of the property tax lien, the county treasurer shall file with the county clerk and recorder a notice of cancellation on a form provided for in 15-18-217.

(5) Proof of notice must be given as provided in 15-18-216 and must be filed with the county clerk and recorder. An assignee must file proof of notice with the county clerk and recorder within 30 days of the mailing or publishing of the notice. Once filed, the proof of notice is prima facie evidence of the sufficiency of the notice.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 317, L. 2019.