Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 6199 – Enforcement
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This section applies to any violation of this chapter in connection with the actions of a foreclosure purchaser. [PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).]
1. Enforcement. In addition to other actions allowed pursuant to this section, the administrator may undertake any authorized actions pursuant to Title 9?A, Article 6 to ensure compliance with this chapter.
[PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).]
Terms Used In Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 6199
- Administrator: means the Superintendent of Consumer Credit Protection within the Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, except that "administrator" means the Superintendent of Financial Institutions with regard to a supervised financial organization as defined in Title 9?A, section 1?301, subsection 38?A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 6192
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Defendant: In a civil suit, the person complained against; in a criminal case, the person accused of the crime.
- Equitable: Pertaining to civil suits in "equity" rather than in "law." In English legal history, the courts of "law" could order the payment of damages and could afford no other remedy. See damages. A separate court of "equity" could order someone to do something or to cease to do something. See, e.g., injunction. In American jurisprudence, the federal courts have both legal and equitable power, but the distinction is still an important one. For example, a trial by jury is normally available in "law" cases but not in "equity" cases. Source: U.S. Courts
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Foreclosed homeowner: means an owner of residential real property, including a condominium, that is the primary residence of the owner and whose mortgage on the real property is or was in foreclosure. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 6192
- Foreclosure: A legal process in which property that is collateral or security for a loan may be sold to help repay the loan when the loan is in default. Source: OCC
- Foreclosure purchaser: means a person acting as the acquirer in a foreclosure reconveyance. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 6192
- Foreclosure reconveyance: means a transaction involving:
A. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 6192Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another. interest: includes , but is not limited to, an interest in a contract for deed, a land installment contract, a bond for deed, a purchase agreement, an option to purchase or a lease. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 6192 Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases. Real property: Land, and all immovable fixtures erected on, growing on, or affixed to the land. Residence in foreclosure: means residential real property consisting of one- to 4-family dwelling units, one of which the owner occupies as the owner's principal place of residence, when there is a delinquency or default on any loan payment or debt secured by or attached to the residential real property, including, but not limited to, a contract for deed, land installment contract or bond for deed, land installment contract or bond for deed payments. See Maine Revised Statutes Title 32 Sec. 6192
2. Private action. A private cause of action may be brought by a foreclosed homeowner on the basis of a violation of this chapter. A foreclosed homeowner may be awarded actual and consequential damages and costs, including reasonable attorney’s fees, and may be granted injunctive, declaratory and other equitable relief the court determines appropriate in an action to enforce compliance with this chapter.
[PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).]
3. Remedies cumulative. The remedies provided in this section are cumulative and do not restrict any remedy that is otherwise available. The provisions of this chapter are not exclusive and are in addition to any other requirements, rights, remedies and penalties provided by state or federal law.
[PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).]
4. Improvident transfer. The remedies provided under Title 33, chapter 20 apply to any violation of this chapter in connection with actions of a foreclosure purchaser.
[PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).]
5. Stay of eviction action. The automatic stay of an eviction action is governed by this subsection.
A. A court hearing an eviction action against a foreclosed homeowner must issue an automatic stay without imposition of a bond if a defendant makes a prima facie showing that the defendant:
(1) Has commenced an action concerning a foreclosure reconveyance; asserts a defense under that action that the property that is the subject of the eviction action is also the subject of a foreclosure reconveyance in violation of this chapter; or asserts a claim or affirmative defense of fraud, false pretense, false promise, misrepresentation, misleading statement or deceptive practice in connection with a foreclosure reconveyance;
(2) Owned the residence in foreclosure;
(3) Conveyed title to the residence in foreclosure to a 3rd party upon a promise that the defendant would be allowed to occupy the residence or other real property in which the foreclosure purchaser or a person acting in participation with the foreclosure purchaser has an interest and that the residence or other real property would be the subject of a foreclosure reconveyance; and
(4) Since the conveyance, has continuously occupied the residence in foreclosure or other real property in which the foreclosure purchaser or a person acting in participation with the foreclosure purchaser has an interest. For purposes of this subparagraph, notarized affidavits are acceptable means of proof to meet the defendant’s burden. Upon good cause shown, a defendant may request and the court may grant up to an additional 2 weeks to produce evidence required to make the prima facie showing. [PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).]
B. The automatic stay expires upon the later of:
(1) The failure of the foreclosed homeowner to commence an action in a court of competent jurisdiction in connection with a foreclosure reconveyance within 90 days after the issuance of the stay; and
(2) The issuance of an order lifting the stay by a court hearing claims related to the foreclosure reconveyance. [PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).]
[PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).]
6. Unfair trade practice. The Attorney General may bring an action under Title 5, chapter 10 for any violation of this chapter.
[PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).]
SECTION HISTORY
PL 2007, c. 596, §1 (NEW).