Section 14-883 – Definitions

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 382 OF 2021 **     (a)    In this part the following words have the meanings indicated.     (b)    “Combined income” means the combined Maryland adjusted gross income of all individuals who actually reside in a dwelling except an individual who:         (1)    is a dependent of the homeowner under § 152 of the […]

Section 14-884 – Homeowner Protection Program — Purpose of Program

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 382 OF 2021 **     (a)    There is a Homeowner Protection Program administered by the Ombudsman in the Department.     (b)    The purpose of the Program is to divert vulnerable homeowners from the private tax lien sale process under Part III of this subtitle into an alternative program with the primary […]

Section 14-885 – Eligible Homeowners — Process Established — Annual Determination of Number of Enrollees — No Local Costs Contributions Required

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 382 OF 2021 **     (a)    (1)    To be eligible for the Program a homeowner shall:             (i)    reside in a dwelling that has an assessed value of $300,000 or less; and             (ii)    have a combined income of $60,000 or less.         (2)    The Department may establish, by regulation, additional eligibility criteria for enrollment in […]

Section 14-886 – Application by Homeowner — Online or by Mail — Ombudsman — Enrollment Canceled — Notice of Cancellation — Reasons and Timing of Cancellation

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 382 OF 2021 **     (a)    A homeowner shall submit an application to the Department to be enrolled in the Program.     (b)    A homeowner may submit an application for the Program online or by mail.     (c)    The Ombudsman shall:         (1)    prominently advertise the Program and make applications available on the Ombudsman’s website; […]

Section 14-887 – Enrollment of Homeowner Before or After Lien Is Sold at Tax Sale — Payment by Department After Homeowner Enrolled — Outstanding Tax Debt — Lien by Department

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 382 OF 2021 **     (a)    If a homeowner is first enrolled in the Program before the lien on the homeowner’s dwelling is sold at tax sale:         (1)    the Department shall pay the county or municipal corporation the full amount of the tax lien and assume exclusive responsibility for collecting […]

Section 14-888 – Efforts by Ombudsman for Enrollee — Communication With Homeowner — Assistance — Forgiveness of Tax Debt

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 382 OF 2021 **     (a)    For each homeowner enrolled in the Program, the Ombudsman shall make intensive efforts to:         (1)    determine why the homeowner has not paid the taxes due; and         (2)    provide appropriate assistance to help the homeowner pay the taxes due and retain the dwelling.     (b)    The Ombudsman shall […]

Section 14-889 – Interest on Unpaid Taxes — Additional Charges Prohibited

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 382 OF 2021 **     (a)    (1)    The Department may charge interest on unpaid taxes owed to the Department at a rate not exceeding 6%.         (2)    The Ombudsman may set a lower interest rate or waive interest entirely at the Ombudsman’s discretion.     (b)    Other than the interest specified in subsection (a) of […]

Section 14-890 – Foreclosure and Sale of Dwelling of Formerly Enrolled Homeowner — Restrictions — Initiation of in Rem Foreclosure — Items Included in Complaint — Amended Complaint — Cure of Delinquent Taxes — Court Hearing — Entry of Judgment — Sale of Dwelling — Sale Final and Binding — Limitations on Actions by Homeowner or Interested Party

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 382 OF 2021 **     (a)    In this section, “interested party” means:         (1)    the person who last appears as owner of the dwelling on the collector’s tax roll;         (2)    a mortgagee of the dwelling or assignee of a mortgage of record;         (3)    a holder of a beneficial interest in a deed of […]

Section 14-891 – Homeowner Protection Fund — Purpose — Fund Sources — Budget Appropriation — Use of Fund — Investments and Expenditures — Exclusive Source

    ** TAKES EFFECT JULY 1, 2022 PER CHAPTER 382 OF 2021 **     (a)    In this section, “Fund” means the Homeowner Protection Fund.     (b)    There is a Homeowner Protection Fund.     (c)    The purpose of the Fund is to finance the Program.     (d)    The Department shall administer the Fund.     (e)    (1)    The Fund is a special, nonlapsing fund that is not subject to […]