Recent changes in legislation and regulations in D.C. affect us all. There are completely revamped residential foreclosure rules and forms as well as radical changes in the administration of tax sales.

D.C. Title Companies should be acting immediately. As of October 30, 2001, residential mortgages and Deeds of Trust should be accompanied by a new form, Form 205(b). Title companies should be informing your lenders NOW, to avoid complications after October 30. Title companies should resist having any part in the completion or the signing of this form. The lender and mortgage have that responsibility, by statute.

We have prepared a notification letter that you are free to send to your lenders (see link, below). We also provide you with a link to the 10/1/01 verson of the Form 205(b). Note that this form will be changing (there is a reference to "Title Company" in a signature line that will be deleted in future versions). For AOL and other users, if the links do not appear below, they can be found at www.Jackscamp.com/publications/Form205(d).pdf and www.Jackscamp.com/publications/NoticeToLenders.pdf.
Link to Notice To Lenders
Link to the 10/1/01 Version of Form 205(b)

Other items of interest for title companies handling D.C. Properties: Title Companies can now secure a username and password for a web site to ascertain current taxes, BID charges, Nuisance Assessments, and water. Contact John.Mowery@dc.gov. Thereafter go to www.dc.cfo.com under the TaxPayer Services Page. It is a great starting point and may eventually substitute for tax certificates. Click here to contact John Mowery at D.C. Recorder of Deeds.

Another interesting site is www.draft.dcgis.com. It provides an aerial view map of the District to find lots and squares. Click on the airplane icon at the bottom to see a Baiste-type view. The username you can use for now is "golive" and the password you can use is "dec21". FP-7(c)s are to be single sided. There are no more FP-5's. The next newsletter will concentrate on the new tax sale procedures.

Sincerely,

Roy L. Kaufmann, Esq.
Jackson & Campbell P.C.