In the case of Wing Street CA v. Kiss the Chef, LLC, the Illinois Supreme Court will review an issue pertinent to the collection of up to six months of a foreclosed owner’s assessments from a subsequent purchaser under Section 9(g)(4) of the Illinois Condominium Property Act.  Under 9(g)(4), if the Association initiates collection activity against an owner in foreclosure, then a third-party who purchases at the sheriff’s foreclosure sale, or the third-party who purchases from the bank (mortgagee) after foreclosure, becomes liable for payment of up to six months of the foreclosed owner’s delinquent assessments that were due and unpaid at the time the collection action was initiated against the foreclosed owner.

 

This case presents the question as to whether the wholly owned subsidiary of the bank that purchases the condominium unit at a foreclosure sale is considered the “mortgagee” under section 9(g)(4) of Illinois Condominium Property Act, so that a third-party who later purchases the condominium from the subsidiary becomes liable for payment of the up to six months of delinquent assessments. In Wing Street, the Association sued the third-party purchaser of a condominium unit who had purchased the unit from the bank’s subsidiary for unpaid assessments, including the six months of assessments from the foreclosed owner that were due and unpaid at the time the collection action was initiated.

 

Initially, the trial court found that the defendant had purchased from the bank, or mortgagee, and was thus, liable for the six months of assessments. However, upon reconsideration, the trial court held that the subsidiary was not the mortgagee and therefore, the defendant was not liable the past due assessments of the foreclosed owner. The Appellate Court, in reversing the trial court, found that the immediate subsidiary of a bank was, in fact, the “mortgagee” since it was acting on the bank’s behalf at the judicial sale, thus, triggering the defendant’s obligation to pay the six months of the foreclosed owner’s assessments.

 

The Illinois Supreme Court has now granted defendant’s petition for leave to appeal and the Supreme Court will determine whether a wholly owned subsidiary of the bank, that purchases the condominium unit at a foreclosure sale, is considered the “mortgagee” under section 9(g)(4) of Illinois Condominium Property Act. The outcome of this case will affect whether banks will continue to use subsidiaries to take title to condominium units at foreclosure sales and how associations will pursue the six months of assessments under 9(g)(4) from purchasers.

 

The parties’ briefs will be filed this spring, with oral argument in Springfield to follow. We expect a decision from the Supreme Court by the end of 2017, if there are no delays.

 

Please view the Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit blog for further updates.

Since 1983, KSN has been a legal resource for condominium, homeowner, and townhome associations. Additionally, we represent clients in real estate transactions, collectionslandlord/tenant issues, and property tax appeals. We represent thousands of clients and community associations throughout the US with offices in several states including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

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