§ 18-12.1. Registration of abandoned dwellings.

(a)

Upon default by the mortgagor, any mortgagee holding a mortgage on residential real property located within the City of Fort Lauderdale shall perform an inspection of the property that is the security for the mortgage prior to the issuance of a notice of default to determine if said property is vacant or shows evidence of vacancy. If the property is vacant, it shall be deemed an abandoned dwelling and the mortgagee shall, within ten (10) days of inspection, register the property with the director or a duly authorized designee on forms provided by the department.

(b)

If the residential real property is occupied but remains in default, it shall be inspected by the mortgagee, or designee, on a monthly basis until either the default is remedied or is found to be vacant or shows evidence of vacancy at which time it is deemed an abandoned dwelling and the mortgagee shall, within ten (10) days of the inspection, register the abandoned dwelling with the director on forms provided by the department.

(c)

Registration pursuant to this section shall, at a minimum, contain the name of the mortgagee, the direct mailing address of the mortgagee, a direct contact name and telephone number of the mortgagee, a facsimile number or email address for the mortgagee, and, in the case of a corporation or out-of state area mortgagee, the name, address and contact information for the local property management company responsible for maintenance and security of the property.

(d)

A non-refundable annual registration fee in the amount of two hundred dollars ($200.00) per property shall accompany the registration form(s) pursuant to this section. The renewal of the registration shall be the responsibility of the mortgagee.

(e)

The provisions of this article shall also apply to properties that have been the subject of foreclosure sale, where the title was transferred to the mortgagee, trustee or beneficiary of a mortgage involved in the foreclosure, and to any properties transferred under a deed in lieu of foreclosure sale.

(f)

Property subject to the provisions of this article shall remain under the annual registration requirement, maintenance requirements, and security requirements of this article as long as the property remains an abandoned dwelling.

(g)

Any person or entity that has registered a residential property under this article shall report to the director any change of required information contained in the registration form within ten (10) days of the change.

( Ord. No. C-12-38, § 2, 10-2-12 )