California Code, Streets and Highways Code - SHC § 6556

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if the purchaser of owner-occupied residential property at a sale under Section 6509, or an assignee or transferee of the purchaser, has not applied for the deed to the property and recorded the deed in the office of the county recorder in which the property lies, within 16 months of the date of issuance of the certificate of sale, the certificate of sale and the deed are void and neither the certificate of sale nor the deed shall have any legal effect.

This section shall apply to sales held after the effective date of this section.