Establishes the Contract for Deed Act

GENERAL APPLICABILITY The act regulates residential real estate contracts where the contract has not been fully performed and where the seller does not deliver the deed for the property until the buyer finishes making installment payments over a specified time to the seller, referred to as a contract for deed. The act distinguishes between a long term contract for deed and a short term contract for deed. A long term contract for deed is for a period of more than 3 years whereas a short term contract for deed is for a period of 3 years or less.

A contract for deed shall not be enforceable unless the contract is in writing and signed by the party to be bound or by that party's authorized representative. The rights and obligations of the parties to a contract shall be determined solely from the written contract, and any prior oral agreements between the parties shall be superseded by and merged into the contract. The act contains various requirements on the seller to make the purchaser aware of the purchase price, interest rates, and late fees.

Any real property sold under a contract for deed shall be owned by the seller and be free from any liens or other encumbrances undisclosed to the purchaser. The property must also be kept free of certain liens during the length of the contract. If the seller violates these restrictions the seller can be liable under the merchandising practices law, the buyer can cancel and rescind the contract with a full refund, and the seller is required to reimburse the buyer for property taxes and the value of any improvements to the property.

A contract for deed shall not include any of the following: 1. Late-payment fees that are more than 5% of the monthly payment; 2. Penalties for prepayment, in the case of a long term contract for deed; and 3. Provisions that require a person to forfeit a portion of an option fee exceeding $1,500 for late payment.

SELLER DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS (Section 442.808) The act imposes certain obligations on a seller with respect to long term contracts for deed.

First, before a long term contract for deed is signed by the purchaser, the seller shall provide the purchaser with: 4. A statement of the amount, if any, of delinquent real property taxes or assessments due and owing on the property subject to the contract; and 5. A legible copy of any insurance policy, binder, or other evidence relating to the property, as described in the act.

Second, not less than ten days before a long term contract for deed is signed by the purchaser, the seller shall provide the purchaser with: • A legible copy of the recorded instrument demonstrating the seller owns the property, and any document that describes an encumbrance or other claim, including a restrictive covenant or easement, that affects title to the real property; and • A written notice, which shall be attached to the contract proposed for execution, informing the purchaser of the condition of the property that shall, at a minimum, be completed by the seller, and executed by the seller and purchaser in a form substantially similar to that indicated in the act.

Third, if the seller advertises property for sale under a long term contract for deed, the advertisement shall disclose information regarding the availability of water, sewer, and electric service.

Failure to comply with the aforementioned obligations is considered an unlawful merchandising practice under the merchandising practices law. Moreover, a purchaser is also entitled to cancel and rescind any contract and receive a full refund of all payments made to seller if a seller does not comply with such obligations. These provisions do not limit or effect any other rights or remedies a purchaser has under any other law.

PURCHASER OPTION OF RESCISSION OR CANCELLATION OF LONG TERM CONTRACT FOR DEED (Section 442.818) A buyer is allowed to cancel a long term contract for deed within fourteen days of signing it. The seller is required to notify the buyer of their right to cancel the contract. The seller is also required to return the buyer's payments within ten days of receiving the buyer's cancellation notice.

Moreover, a purchaser may cancel and rescind a long term contract for deed at any time if the purchaser learns that the property that is covered by the contract is not properly subdivided, split, or platted in accordance with state and local law, and the seller has failed to correct the deficiency within six months of receiving written notice from buyer. If the purchaser cancels the contract for this reason, the seller, not later than the 10th day after the date the seller receives the notice of cancellation and rescission, shall: • Deliver in person or send by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, to the purchaser a signed, written notice that the seller intends to subdivide or plat the property properly; or • Return to the purchaser all payments of any kind made to the seller under the contract and reimburse the purchaser for any payments the purchaser made to a taxing authority for the property and the value of any improvements made to the property by the purchaser.

SELLER OPTIONS IN CASE OF DEFAULT (Section 442.824 and 442.827) A seller may rescind any contract for deed, or declare the contract terminated and retake the land, if the person who purchases the property fails to make payment on time or comply with a term of the contract. Before the seller can take these actions, the seller must give a specific notice to the buyer and give the buyer thirty days to cure the default.

If the buyer has already paid 30% of the amount due on a long term contract for deed, or 48 monthly payments, then the seller cannot rescind the contract, or declare the contract terminated and retake the land, but the seller can sell the property after giving the buyer notice and 30 days to cure the default. The sale must be conducted by a trustee with the same notice required in foreclosure sales. If after the sale the buyer still owes money, the seller can have a judgment against the purchaser.

ANNUAL STATEMENTS (Section 442.830) A seller party to a long term contract for deed is required to provide purchasers with an annual statement in January of each year, which shall include the seller's good faith understanding of the status of the purchaser's payments made to date under the contract, as well as other information delineated in the act. A seller who fails to comply with this requirement is liable for liquidated damages and reasonable attorney's fees, as described in the act.

TRANSFER OF TITLE (Section 442.836) A seller party to a long term contract for deed is required to transfer title of the property to the buyer within 30 days of the buyer's final payment. If the seller does not comply with this requirement, the seller is liable for liquidated damages and reasonable attorney's fees, as described in the act.

This act is similar to SB 677 (2014), SB 388 (2013), SB 555 (2012), and HB 296 (2011). SCOTT SVAGERA