H.P. 1376 - L.D. 1929
An Act Concerning Notices Given in Connection with Mortgage Foreclosures
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 14 MRSA §6111, sub-§1, as amended by PL 1995, c. 654, §1, is further amended to read:
1. Notice; payment. With respect to mortgages upon residential property located in this State when the mortgagor is occupying all or a portion of the property as the mortgagor's primary residence and the mortgage secures a loan for personal, family or household use, the mortgagee may not accelerate maturity of the unpaid balance of the obligation or otherwise enforce the mortgage because of a default consisting of the mortgagor's failure to make any required payment, tax payment or insurance premium payment, by any method authorized by this chapter until at least 30 days after the date that written notice is given by the mortgagee to the mortgagor and any cosigner against whom the mortgagee is enforcing the obligation secured by the mortgage at the last known addresses of the mortgagor and any cosigner that the mortgagor has the right to cure the default by full payment of all amounts that are due without acceleration, including reasonable interest and late charges specified in the mortgage or note as well as reasonable attorney's fees. If the mortgagor tenders payment of the amounts before the date specified in the notice, the mortgagor is restored to all rights under the mortgage deed as though the default had not occurred.
Sec. 2. 14 MRSA §6111, sub-§3, as amended by PL 1995, c. 654, §3, is further amended to read:
3. Notice procedure. A mortgagee gives shall provide notice to a mortgagor and any cosigner under this section by mailing the notice by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the notice is undeliverable by certified mail, the mortgagee must send the notice to the mortgagor and any cosigner by ordinary mail. The time when notice is given is the date the mortgagor or any cosigner signs the receipt or, if the notice is undeliverable by certified mail, the date the notice was sent by ordinary mail. to the last known addresses of the mortgagor and cosigner by:
A. Certified mail, return receipt requested. For the purposes of this paragraph, the time when the notice is given to the mortgagor or cosigner is the date the mortgagor or cosigner signs the receipt or, if the notice is undeliverable, the date the post office last attempts to deliver it; or
B. Ordinary first class mail, postage prepaid. For the purposes of this paragraph, the time when the notice is given to the mortgagor or cosigner is the date when the mortgagor or cosigner receives that notice. A post office department certificate of mailing to the mortgagor or cosigner is conclusive proof of receipt on the 3rd calendar day after mailing.
Sec. 3. 14 MRSA §6111, sub-§4, as enacted by PL 1995, c. 654, §4, is repealed.
Sec. 4. 14 MRSA §6111, sub-§5 is enacted to read:
5. Exceptions. This section does not apply to:
A. A mortgage subject to the provisions of Title 9-A, section 5-111 or a mortgage, other than a first lien mortgage, that is made subject to the provisions of Title 9-A, section 5-111 by agreement of the parties to the mortgage;
B. A mortgage that contains a requirement that a reinstatement notice, a notice of right to cure or an equivalent notice be given to the mortgagor at least 30 days prior to accelerating the maturity of the unpaid balance of the obligation or otherwise enforcing the mortgage against the mortgagor, if the mortgagee gives such a notice to the mortgagor and to any cosigner against whom the mortgagee seeks to enforce the obligation secured by the mortgage; or
C. A mortgage when the mortgagee accelerates the maturity of the unpaid balance of the obligation or otherwise enforces the mortgage on or after July 4, 1996 if the mortgage meets the requirements of paragraph A or B.
Effective June 30, 1998, unless otherwise indicated.
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