hb422_Sen_ctee_sub_LC_38_0633S_5.html
08 LC 38 0633S

The Senate Special Judiciary Committee offered the following substitute to HB 422:

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property, so as to provide a minimum amount for liens in the "Georgia Condominium Act" and the "Georgia Property Owners´ Association Act"; to provide for the recovery of attorney´s fees in actions involving covenants running with the land; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.
Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to property, is amended by revising subsection (c) of Code Section 44-3-109, relating to liens for assessments and foreclosures under the "Georgia Condominium Act," as follows:
"(c) Not less than 30 days after notice is sent by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested, to the unit owner both at the address of the unit and at any other address or addresses which the unit owner may have designated to the association in writing, the lien may be foreclosed by the association by an action, judgment, and foreclosure in the same manner as other liens for the improvement of real property, subject to superior liens or encumbrances, but any such court order for judicial foreclosure shall not affect the rights of holders of superior liens or encumbrances to exercise any rights or powers afforded to them under their security instruments. The notice provided for in this subsection shall specify the amount of the assessments then due and payable together with authorized late charges and the rate of interest accruing thereon. No foreclosure action against a lien arising out of this subsection shall be permitted unless the amount of the lien is at least $2,000.00. Unless prohibited by the condominium instruments, the association shall have the power to bid on the unit at any foreclosure sale and to acquire, hold, lease, encumber, and convey the same. The lien for assessments shall lapse and be of no further effect, as to assessments or installments thereof, together with late charges and interest applicable thereto, four years after the assessment or installment first became due and payable."

SECTION 2.
Said title is further amended by revising subsection (c) of Code Section 44-3-232, relating to liens for assessments and foreclosures under the "Georgia Property Owners´ Association Act," as follows:
"(c) Not less than 30 days after notice is sent by certified mail or statutory overnight delivery, return receipt requested, to the lot owner both at the address of the lot and at any other address or addresses which the lot owner may have designated to the association in writing, the lien may be foreclosed by the association by an action, judgment, and court order for foreclosure in the same manner as other liens for the improvement of real property, subject to superior liens or encumbrances, but any such court order for judicial foreclosure shall not affect the rights of holders of superior liens or encumbrances to exercise any rights or powers afforded to them under their security instruments. The notice provided for in this subsection shall specify the amount of the assessments then due and payable together with authorized late charges and the rate of interest accruing thereon. No foreclosure action against a lien arising out of this subsection shall be permitted unless the amount of the lien is at least $2,000.00. Unless prohibited by the instrument, the association shall have the power to bid on the lot at any foreclosure sale and to acquire, hold, lease, encumber, and convey the same. The lien for assessments shall lapse and be of no further effect, as to assessments or installments thereof, together with late charges and interest applicable thereto, four years after the assessment or installment first became due and payable."

SECTION 2A.
Said title is further amended by revising Article 3 of Chapter 5, relating to covenants and warranties, by adding a new subsection to Code Section 44-5-60, relating to covenants running with the land, effect of zoning laws, covenants and scenic easements for use of the public, and renewal of certain covenants, to read as follows:
"(e) To the extent provided in the covenants, the obligation for the payment of assessments and fees arising from covenants shall include the costs of collection, including reasonable attorney´s fees actually incurred."

SECTION 3.
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.