Charlotte County has reinstated the Lien Relief Program, which is open to all owners of residential real property encumbered with code enforcement liens in unincorporated Charlotte County.
The purpose of this program is to encourage property owners to bring their properties into compliance with county codes by offering relief from outstanding liens.
PART A1: Gives existing property owners the opportunity to reduce the amount of liens assessed on their property as long as they ensure that there are no existing code violations. There is a $150 application/processing fee and the reduced amount must be paid within 30 days of notification of the amount. Liens will be reduced to $1,000 plus any costs associated with abatement of the property and administrative and prosecutorial costs incurred during enforcement.
PART A2: Gives prospective owners, with a bona fide purchase contract for the property, the option to seek an anticipatory lien reduction. The property must be in compliance with all county codes or the prospective owner must enter into an agreement with the county to bring the property into compliance within 90 days of closing.
There is a $150 application/processing fee and the reduced amount must be paid within 30 days of notification of the amount. Liens will be reduced to $1,000 plus any costs associated with abatement of the property and administrative and prosecutorial costs incurred during enforcement.
PART B: Gives new owners of properties purchased through a foreclosure sale, clerk's sale or other judicially imposed sale, the opportunity to obtain a release of lien for any existing encumbrances for Code Enforcement Liens. There is a $150 application/processing fee and again the property in question must be in compliance with all county codes at before the release will be granted.
Application for the program can be submitted online at www2.charlottefl.com/citizenaccess/ by selecting the option under Code Enforcement for the Lien Relief Program. Forms are also available online and application can be made in person at the Charlotte County Community Development Department, 18400 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte.
