July 29, 2010 |
2010-R-0327 Revised 12/9/11 | |
COMPARISON OF STATE LAWS ON MORTGAGE DEFICIENCIES AND REDEMPTION PERIODS | ||
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By: James Orlando, Legislative Analyst II | ||
You asked for a chart comparing state mortgage laws as to (1) whether states are classified as recourse or non-recourse and (2) redemption periods.
SUMMARY
When a lender forecloses on a mortgage, the debt often exceeds the amount that the lender recovers through the foreclosure sale. In states classified as “non-recourse,” the lender cannot seek a judgment against the debtor to recover the deficiency. “Recourse” states allow lenders to seek a deficiency judgment against the debtor.
It is difficult to classify states as strictly recourse or non-recourse. Almost all states allow deficiency judgments under certain conditions, for certain types of property or foreclosure proceedings. However, many states restrict not only the conditions under which deficiency judgments are allowed but the maximum recovery for the creditors. Based on information compiled by the National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), at least 10 states can be generally classified as non-recourse for residential mortgages: Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Minnesota, Montana, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Washington. Recent legislation also makes Nevada non-recourse in most cases for residential purchasers for mortgages obtained on or after October 1, 2009.
State laws also vary regarding the time in which a debtor may redeem a mortgage default. To varying degrees, all states allow debtors to cure defaults before a property is sold through the foreclosure process. However, many states, under various conditions, allow debtors to redeem even after the foreclosure sale.
REDEMPTION PERIODS AND DEFICIENCY JUDGMENTS IN OTHER STATES
For this report, we relied on the compilation of state laws in NCLC's “Survey of State Foreclosure Laws,” part of a 2009 NCLC study, “Foreclosing a Dream,” written by John Rao and Geoff Walsh. We verified and updated the information as necessary.
The NCLC reports are available at the following links: http://www.nclc.org/images/pdf/foreclosure_mortgage/state_laws/foreclosing-dream-report.pdf and http://www.nclc.org/images/pdf/foreclosure_mortgage/state_laws/survey-foreclosure-card.pdf.
Table 1 summarizes the post-sale redemption periods and deficiency judgment provisions in the 50 states and District of Columbia.
Table 1: State Laws on Post-Sale Redemption Periods and Deficiency Judgments
State |
Post-Sale Redemption Period |
Deficiency Judgments Allowed? |
Citations |
Alabama |
Yes—one year; to preserve right, debtor must surrender possession within 10 days of written demand |
Yes |
Code of Ala. §§ 6-5-247 to 257; see In re Phillips, 2010 Bankr. LEXIS 710 (Bankr. N.D. Ala. 2010) |
Alaska |
None for non-judicial power of sale foreclosure; one year for judgment debtors in judicial foreclosure (less common) |
Only for judicial foreclosures sales (not common); disallowed after sale by trustee under deed of trust |
Alaska Stat. §§ 09.35.250, 34.20.090, 34.20.100; see Hull v. Alaska Fed. Sav. & Loan Ass'n, 658 P.2d 122 (Ala. 1983) |
Arizona |
None for non-judicial power of sale foreclosure; for less common judicial foreclosure, six months or, if property was abandoned and not used for agricultural purposes, 30 days |
Not allowed for purchase money mortgages on one- or two-family dwelling of 2.5 acres or less, unless the court determines that the sale price was less that the judgment price due to diminution in value caused by the owner committing or permitting voluntary waste |
Ariz. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 12-1282, 33-729, 33-814(G) |
Arkansas |
None for statutory foreclosure; one year for judicial foreclosures (not common) |
Yes, for lesser of indebtedness minus (1) sale price or (2) fair market value |
Ark. Code Ann. §§18-49-106, 18-50-108, 18-50-112 |
California |
None for non-judicial power of sale foreclosure; two years if court grants a deficiency judgment in judicial foreclosure (less common) |
Not allowed on power of sale foreclosures or judicial foreclosures on one-to-four family owner-occupied dwellings; when allowed, limited by property's fair market value |
Cal. Code Civ. Pro. §§ 580b, 580d, 726(b), 729.010 |
Colorado |
None (although lien holders may redeem) |
Yes, person sued for deficiency may raise defense that debt holder did not bid fair market value |
Colo. Rev. Stat. §§ 38-38-106, 38-38-302 |
Connecticut |
None (property may be redeemed prior to approval of the sale) |
Yes, limited to difference between plaintiff's claim and property value as determined after a hearing |
Conn. Gen. Stat. §§ 49-14, 49-25 |
Delaware |
None |
Yes |
Del. Code tit. 10, § 5066; see Berg v. Liberty Federal Sav. & Loan Asso., 428 A.2d 347 (Del. 1981) |
District of Columbia |
None for non-judicial foreclosure; pre-judgment redemption for judicial foreclosure |
Yes |
D.C. Code §§ 42-805, 42-816 |
Florida |
Yes, before the later of the court clerk's filing of the certificate of sale or time specified in the judgment |
Yes, within court's discretion |
Fla. Stat. §§ 45.031(8), 45.0315, 702.06 |
Georgia |
None |
Yes, court must approve sale and will do so only if property brought its true market value |
Ga. Code Ann. § 44-14-161 |
Table 1: -Continued-
State |
Post-Sale Redemption Period |
Deficiency Judgments Allowed? |
Citations |
Hawaii |
None, may redeem up to three business days before sale |
No, for mortgages after July 1, 1999 |
Haw. Rev. Stat. §§ 667-27, 38, 42 |
Idaho |
None |
Yes, for lesser of indebtedness minus (1) sale price or (2) fair market value |
Idaho Code §§ 45-1508, 1512 |
Illinois |
Yes, until later of seven months of service or three months of judgment (with exceptions) |
Yes |
735 Ill. Comp. Stat. §§ 5/15-1508, 1603 to 1605 |
Indiana |
None |
Yes, if express written agreement and other conditions satisfied |
Ind. Code Ann. §§ 32-29-7-7, 32-30-10-7 |
Iowa |
Yes, one year, but plaintiff may elect foreclosure without right of redemption, which allows borrower to delay sale; parties can agree to six month redemption period (and plaintiff loses right to deficiency judgment) |
Yes, but waivable if parties agree to six month redemption period |
Iowa Code §§ 628.3, 628.26, 654.5, 654.20, 654.26 |
Kansas |
Yes, three months if 1/3 of original debt has not been paid, otherwise 12 months; other conditions apply |
Yes, court has discretion to (1) deny sale if bid is inadequate or (2) fix a minimum price |
Kan. Stat. Ann. §§ 60-2414, 60-2415 |
Kentucky |
One year, but only if sale price is less than 2/3 of property's appraised value |
Yes |
Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. §§ 426.005, 426.220, 426.530 |
Louisiana |
None |
Yes, but only if property is appraised |
La. Code Civ. Pro. §§ 2771-2772 |
Maine |
90 days after judgment for mortgages executed after Oct. 1, 1975; one year for older mortgages (unless mortgage states otherwise) |
Yes, deficiency claim is limited to the amount established as of the date of the public sale; if mortgagee is purchaser at public sale, deficiency is limited to the difference between the fair market value at the time of the sale and the sum due the mortgagee |
Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 14 §§ 6322-6324 |
Maryland |
None |
Yes |
See Greenbriar Condo. v. Brooks, 387 Md. 683 (2005); Fairfax Sav., F.S.B. v. Kris Jen Ltd. P'ship, 338 Md. 1 (1995) |
Massachusetts |
None |
Yes, mortgagee must give 21 days' notice before sale date of intent to seek deficiency judgment |
Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. Ch. 244 §§ 17A, 17B, 18 |
Table 1: -Continued-
State |
Post-Sale Redemption Period |
Deficiency Judgments Allowed? |
Citations |
Michigan |
30 days to one year, depending on several factors |
Yes, if mortgagee is purchaser, mortgagor can raise defense or setoff that property value at sale equaled amount of debt or that sale price was substantially less than true property value |
Mich. Comp. Laws §§ 600.3240, 600.3280 |
Minnesota |
Generally six or 12 months, depending on several factors; may be reduced to five weeks if court makes certain findings, including that property (1) has less than five residential units, (2) is not used for agricultural production, and (3) is abandoned |
Yes, but not allowed in power of sale foreclosure if six month redemption period applies |
Minn. Stat. §§ 580.04, 580.23, 582.30 |
Mississippi |
None |
Yes |
Miss. Code. § 11-5-111; see Dean v. Simpson, 235 Miss. 162 (1959) |
Missouri |
One year, but only allowed if mortgage holder is purchaser; notice requirements apply |
Yes |
Mo. Rev. Stat. §§ 443.410, 443.420, 443.430 |
Montana |
One year, but not allowed for small tracts (40 acres or less); if debtor's residence, debtor retains possession during redemption period |
Only for judicial foreclosure (not common) |
Mont. Code. Ann. §§ 25-13-802, 25-13-821, 71-1-229, 71-1-232, 71-1-317, 71-1-318 |
Nebraska |
None |
Yes, for lesser of indebtedness minus (1) sale price or (2) fair market value |
Neb. Rev. Stat. §§ 76-1010, 76-1013 |
Nevada |
None, but for mortgages obtained on or after October 1, 2009, may redeem up to five days before sale |
For mortgages obtained on or after October 1, 2009, if creditor is financial institution, cannot obtain a deficiency judgment against debtors on mortgages for owner-occupied single family homes that were not refinanced. If allowed, limited to lesser of indebtedness minus (1) sale price or (2) fair market value. |
Nev. Rev. Stat. §§ 40.430, 40.455, 40.459, 107.080(5) |
New Hampshire |
None |
Yes |
N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 479.18; see Carrols Equities Corp. v. Jacova, 126 N.H. 116 (1985) |
New Jersey |
Only if creditor receives a deficiency judgment; six months after such judgment |
Yes, limited by property's fair market value; if creditor receives deficiency judgment, debtor has six months to redeem |
N.J. Stat. Ann. §§ 2A:50-3 to 2A:50-4 |
Table 1: -Continued-
State |
Post-Sale Redemption Period |
Deficiency Judgments Allowed? |
Citations |
New Mexico |
Nine months; mortgage can call for shorter period, but court can increase to nine months |
Yes, but not allowed for power of sale foreclosure on residential loans for low income households (current annual income at or below 80% of area median income adjusted for family size) |
N.M. Stat. Ann. §§ 39-5-18 to 39-5-21, 48-10-16 to 48-10-17 |
New York |
None |
Yes, allowed if defendant appeared or was personally served; limited by property's fair market value |
N.Y. Real Prop. Act. Law §§ 1352, 1371 |
North Carolina |
Ten days after sale or after filing of upset bid (bid for specified amount above reported sale price) |
Yes, but 2009 legislation disallowed deficiency judgment for certain residential mortgages, with several conditions; not allowed if mortgagee was purchaser, borrower may show property's market value as defense and offset; deficiency judgment not allowed on purchase money mortgages if mortgagee was seller |
N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 45-21.20, 45-21.27, 45-21.36, 45-21.38, 45-21.38A |
North Dakota |
60 days; 365 days for agricultural land |
Not allowed for one-to-four unit residential property on 40 acres or less; when allowed, based on appraised value |
N.D. Cent. Code §§ 32-19-03, 32-19-18 |
Ohio |
None (may redeem up to confirmation of sale) |
Yes, property cannot be sold for less than 2/3 of appraised value |
Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §§ 2329.20, 2329.33 |
Oklahoma |
None (may redeem up to completion of sale) |
No deficiency allowed if borrower elects power of sale foreclosure on homestead; when allowed, limited by property's market value |
Okla. Stat. title 12, §§ 18 to 20, 686; title 46, § 43 |
Oregon |
None |
Only for non-residential mortgages following judicial foreclosure |
Or. Rev. Stat. § 86.770 |
Pennsylvania |
None |
Yes, if creditor is purchaser, deficiency is limited by property's fair market value |
42 Pa. Con. St. Ann. § 8103(a); see Bundy v. Donovan (In re Donovan), 183 B.R. 700 (Bankr. W.D. Pa. 1995) |
Rhode Island |
None for non-judicial power of sale foreclosure (most common); three years after possession for less common foreclosure by process of law or through possession by “peaceable and open entry” |
Yes |
R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-23-3; see Rhode Island Economic Protection Corp. v. Macomber, 658 A.2d 511 (R.I. 1995) |
Table 1: -Continued-
State |
Post-Sale Redemption Period |
Deficiency Judgments Allowed? |
Citations |
South Carolina |
None after sale; owner may redeem up to five days after sheriff takes property following execution |
Yes, defendant has right to petition for appraisal (non-waivable for residential mortgages); deficiency limited by appraised value |
S.C. Code Ann. §§ 15-39-610, 29-3-660, 29-3-680, 29-3-740 |
South Dakota |
One year, unless loan provides for 180 days (mortgagor has right of possession during 180-day period) |
Yes, if mortgagee or holder is purchaser, deficiency is reduced by difference between fair market value and sale price; no deficiency if parties agree to voluntary foreclosure; other conditions apply for judicial foreclosures (less common) |
S.D. Codified Laws §§ 21-47-16, 21-48-14, 21-48A-1, 21-49-12, 21-49-38, 21-52-11 |
Tennessee |
Two years; right to redeem can be waived in the mortgage |
Yes |
Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-8-101 to 103; see Lost Mt. Dev. Co. v. King, 2006 Tenn. App. LEXIS 810 (2006) |
Texas |
None after sale; owner can redeem up to 20 days before notice of sale |
Yes, the borrower is entitled to an offset if the court determines that the property's fair market value is greater than the sale price at the foreclosure sale |
Tex. Prop. Code §§ 51.002, 51.003 |
Utah |
None |
Yes, limited to difference between debt and property's fair market value |
Utah Code Ann. § 57-1-32 |
Vermont |
None after sale; owner can redeem after judgment but before sale; in judicial foreclosure with no sale, can redeem up to six months after judgment and remain in possession |
Yes |
Vt. Stat. Ann. tit. 12 §§ 4528, 4532(i); Vt. Rules Civ. P. Rule 80.1 |
Virginia |
None after sale |
Yes |
See In re Ross, 180 B.R. 130 (Bankr. E.D. Va. 1995) |
Washington |
None after non-judicial sale; owner can redeem after judgment up to 11 days before sale date; eight months to one year after judicial sale (less common) |
Yes, but not allowed for non-judicial sales of non-commercial property |
Rev. Code Wash. §§ 6.23.020, 61.24.050, 61.24.090, 61.24.100 |
West Virginia |
None |
Yes |
See In re Bardell, 374 B.R. 588 (N.D. W.Va. 2007); Fayette County Nat'l Bank v. Lilly, 199 W. Va. 349 (1997) |
Table 1: -Continued-
State |
Post-Sale Redemption Period |
Deficiency Judgments Allowed? |
Citations |
Wisconsin |
None |
Yes, court must be satisfied that property's fair market value has been credited on the debt; mortgagor may waive right to deficiency for certain types of property, which moves sale up to 6 months after judgment, rather than one year |
Wis. Stat. §§ 846.101, 846.13, 846.165 |
Wyoming |
Three months; 12 months for agricultural real estate |
Yes |
Wyo. Stat. §§ 1-18-103, 34-4-113 |
JO:ts