Sec. 32. (a) Except as otherwise provided in a provision included in an ordinance under section 25(f)(3) of this chapter, fees assessed against real property under this chapter or under any statute repealed by IC 19-2-5-30 (repealed September 1, 1981) constitute a lien against the property assessed. The lien is superior to all other liens except tax liens. Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the lien attaches when notice of the lien is filed in the county recorder's office under section 33 of this chapter.

(b) A fee is not enforceable as a lien against a subsequent owner of property unless the lien for the fee was recorded with the county recorder before the conveyance to the subsequent owner. If the property is conveyed before the lien can be filed, the municipality shall notify the person who owned the property at the time the fee became payable. The notice must inform the person that payment, including penalty fees for delinquencies, is due not more than fifteen (15) days after the date of the notice. If payment is not received within one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of the notice, the amount due may be expensed as a bad debt loss.

(c) Except as otherwise provided in a provision included in an ordinance under section 25(f)(3) of this chapter, a lien attaches against real property occupied by someone other than the owner only if the utility notifies the owner not later than twenty (20) days after the time the utility fees become sixty (60) days delinquent. A notice sent to the owner under this subsection must be sent by first class mail or by certified mail, return receipt requested (or an equivalent service permitted under IC 1-1-7-1) to:

(1) the owner of record of real property with a single owner; or

(2) at least one (1) of the owners of real property with multiple owners;

at the last address of the owner for the property as indicated in the records of the county auditor on the date of the notice of the delinquency, or to another address specified by the owner, in a written notice to the utility, at which the owner requests to receive a notice of delinquency under this subsection. The cost of sending notice under this subsection is an administrative cost that may be billed to the owner.

(d) The municipality shall release:

(1) liens filed with the county recorder after the recorded date of conveyance of the property; and

(2) delinquent fees incurred by the seller;

upon receipt of a verified demand in writing from the purchaser. The demand must state that the delinquent fees were not incurred by the purchaser as a user, lessee, or previous owner, and that the purchaser has not been paid by the seller for the delinquent fees.

[Pre-Local Government Recodification Citation: 19-2-5-23 part.]

As added by Acts 1981, P.L.309, SEC.96. Amended by P.L.131-2005, SEC.7; P.L.113-2010, SEC.153; P.L.196-2014, SEC.6.