2011 Missouri Revised Statutes
TITLE XXIX OWNERSHIP AND CONVEYANCE OF PROPERTY
Chapter 448 Condominium Property
Section 448.3-116. Lien for assessments.

448.3-116. 1. The association has a lien on a unit for any assessment levied against that unit or fines imposed against its unit owner from the time the assessment or fine becomes due. The association's lien may be foreclosed in like manner as a mortgage on real estate or a power of sale pursuant to chapter 443. Unless the declaration otherwise provides, fees, charges, late charges, fines, and interest charged pursuant to subdivisions (10), (11), and (12) of subsection 1 of section 448.3-102 are enforceable as assessments pursuant to this section. If an assessment is payable in installments, the full amount of the assessment is a lien from the time the first installment thereof becomes due.

2. A lien pursuant to this section is prior to all other liens and encumbrances on a unit except:

(1) Liens and encumbrances recorded before the recordation of the declaration;

(2) A mortgage and deed of trust for the purchase of a unit recorded before the date on which the assessment sought to be enforced became delinquent;

(3) Liens for real estate taxes and other governmental assessments or charges against the unit;

(4) Except for delinquent assessments or fines, up to a maximum of six months' assessments or fines, which are due prior to any subsequent refinancing of a unit or for any subsequent second mortgage interest. This subsection does not affect the priority of mechanics' or materialmen's liens, or the priority of liens for other assessments made by the association. The lien pursuant to this section is not subject to the provisions of section 513.475.

3. Unless the declaration provides otherwise, if two or more associations have liens for assessments created at any time on the same real estate, those liens have equal priority.

4. Recording of the declaration constitutes record notice and perfection of the lien. No further recordation of any claim of lien for assessment pursuant to this section is required.

5. A lien for unpaid assessments is extinguished unless proceedings to enforce the lien are instituted within three years after the full amount of the assessments becomes due.

6. This section shall not prohibit actions to recover sums for which subsection 1 of this section creates a lien, or prohibit an association from taking a deed in lieu of foreclosure.

7. A judgment or decree in any action brought pursuant to this section shall include costs and reasonable attorney's fees for the prevailing party.

8. The association shall furnish to a unit owner, upon written request, a recordable statement setting forth the amount of unpaid assessments against the unit owner's unit. The statement shall be furnished within ten business days after receipt of the request and is binding on the association, the executive board, and every unit owner.

(L. 1983 H.B. 177, A.L. 1998 S.B. 852 & 913)

Effective 1-1-99

Annotation Copyright Missouri Joint Committee on Legislative Research