LARGO, MD – Prince George’s County Executive Jack Johnson and the County Council recently approved and signed a bill, CB-11-2009, that provides for the registration of foreclosed residential structures with the Department of Environmental Resources (DER) and establishes a penalty for failure to register the properties.

“This legislation will ensure that foreclosed properties are properly maintained,” said Johnson.  “It will result in clean, safe, well-kept neighborhoods in Prince George’s County.”

Effective August 21, 2009, the person authorized to make the sale of a residential property in Prince George’s County must notify the director of DER within five calendar days after filing an order to docket or a complaint to foreclose a mortgage or deed of trust on residential property.  In addition, should the person authorized to make the sale fail to register a foreclosed property, he will pay a civil penalty of $50 for each day that the notice is not filed.

“As the author and sponsor of this legislation, it was my goal to create a registration system for foreclosed properties that would help identify these properties before they become eyesores in the community,” said District 2 County Council Member Will Campos.  “All too often we learn about foreclosed properties after their condition makes it plainly obvious.  This registration system will give us advance warning and allow the county to proactively handle these properties.”

Registration forms may be downloaded from the county’s website at http://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/DER/ by clicking on Foreclosed Registration Form under the heading Foreclosed Residential Property Registration.  The registration form can also be obtained by contacting DER’s Foreclosure Registration Unit at (301) 883-6100.  There is no charge to register a vacant/foreclosed property.

For more information, call the Foreclosure Registration Unit at (301) 883-6100.