Bill > H3053

This bill proposes several changes to Massachusetts' law regarding tax deeds. Specifically, it would: 1. Require municipal tax collectors to request a hearing in the Land Court to seek authorization to exercise the power of taking a property due to unpaid taxes. The court must make inquiries into the debt and sufficiency of notice before authorizing the taking, and must order a public sale of the foreclosed property with distribution of proceeds. 2. Mandate that the notice to the property owner include a clear statement that failure to act will result in losing ownership of the property. 3. Allow tax collectors to collect rents or other income from the land to fulfill the tax debt, and require them to withdraw possession of the property upon the debt being paid. 4. Amend the law to refer to the process as "foreclosure and sale" rather than just "foreclosure." 5. Change the language so that a tax title conveys the right to collect rents or obtain payment from the sale proceeds, rather than being "absolute" after a certain time. 6. Allow the Land Court to order seizure of rents or other income if deemed appropriate to satisfy the tax liens. 7-8. Require the notice of tax taking to include the amount needed to redeem the property and the consequences of failing to pay. 9. Limit the time period for challenging a foreclosure decree after a judicial sale has occurred.

Budget and Finance

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/192/H3053