(A) Point of sale inspections are hereby authorized on all properties that are subject to the vacant, foreclosed property registration. Mortgagees shall arrange to have all properties subject to the requirements of this chapter inspected by the code official within five business days of filing for the property to be sold at a judicial sale. If the mortgagee fails to arrange an inspection, the property shall be inspected by the code official pursuant to R.C. § 2329.17(B) prior to the property being sold at a judicial sale or pursuant to a search warrant issued by a court of competent jurisdiction.
(B) If, as a result of the above inspection, the code official determines that health code violations, housing code violations, hazards, or structural defects exist on the property, the code official shall provide written notice via certified mail to the mortgagee or the mortgagee's agent, as designated on the foreclosed vacant property registration form, the owner of record, and any equitable lien holders, informing the parties of the following:
(1) The need to repair and correct the violations, hazards, or structural defects prior to the judicial sale;
(2) If the property is not brought into compliance within 30 calendar days of the issuance of the notice of violation, the code official may correct or repaired some or all of the violations;
(3) If the code official corrects or repairs some or all of the violations, the code official shall notify the City Law Director and the City Law Director shall promptly place a priority lien on the property for the total cost of abating the violations. The City Law Director shall collect the priority lien from the proceeds of the judicial sale of the property, or upon any subsequent sale of the property, or by the methods provided in R.C. § 715.261. When notice is given as provided for in this section, the lien shall be a priority over liens of prior record and the lien will be effective on the date the city incurs the costs of repairs as provided in R.C. § 715.26(B).
(Ord. 16-1782, passed 6-21-16)