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Maryland Code, Real Property § 14-204

Current as of January 01, 2025 | Updated by Findlaw Staff

(a) Except as provided in subsection (d) of this section, a lien may be enforced and foreclosed by the party who obtained the lien in the same manner, and subject to the same requirements, as the foreclosure of mortgages or deeds of trust on property in this State containing a power of sale or an assent to a decree.

(b) If the owner of property subject to a lien is personally liable for alleged damages, suit for any deficiency following foreclosure may be maintained in the same proceeding, and suit for a monetary judgment for unpaid damages may be maintained without waiving any lien securing the same.

(c) Any action to foreclose a lien shall be brought within 12 years following recordation of the statement of lien.

(d)(1)(i) In this subsection the following words have the meanings indicated.

(ii) “Common ownership community” means:

1. A condominium as defined in § 11-101 of this article; or

2. A homeowners association as defined in § 11B-101 of this article.

(iii) “Governing body” means a person who has authority to enforce the declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws, rules, or regulations of a common ownership community.

(2) Notwithstanding the declaration, articles of incorporation, bylaws, rules, or regulations of a common ownership community, a governing body may foreclose on a lien against a unit owner or lot owner only if the damages secured by the lien:

(i) Consist of:

1. Delinquent periodic assessments or special assessments and any interest; and

2. Reasonable costs and attorney's fees directly related to the filing of the lien that do not exceed the amount of the delinquent assessments, excluding any interest; and

(ii) Do not include fines imposed by the governing body or attorney's fees or costs related to recovering the fines.

(3) This subsection does not preclude a governing body from using any other means to enforce a lien against a unit owner or lot owner.

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Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Maryland Code, Real Property § 14-204 - last updated January 01, 2025 | https://codes.findlaw.com/md/real-property/md-code-real-prop-sect-14-204/

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