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An underutilized remedy for California lenders: Section 2938 rent demands

In 1996, california's legislature made it easy for cre lenders to take their defaulted borrowers' rents. why don't lenders use this cheap and fast remedy more often.

california absolute assignment of rents

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Mortgage lenders in California typically take an “assignment of rents” from the borrower when they originate loans.  However, if the borrower fails to pay timely, many California lenders are quick to start trustee’s sale or foreclosure proceedings but are reluctant to make rent demands as allowed by their assignments of rents.  Why?

I think some of the reluctance is historical, because the relevant law was significantly changed in 1996.  Even though that seems a long time ago, the California real property markets were so buoyant from 1996 through 2006 (but for a relatively small hiccup in 2001 or so) that many practitioners have never really learned the new laws, which are much more favorable to lenders.

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Assignment of Rents and Profits of California Commercial Properties – How Lenders Can Prevent Defaulting Borrowers from Keeping The Cash

Lenders on commercial properties usually require a Deed of Trust that gives them an assignment of rents and profits. The idea is that, if the borrower defaults, the lender is entitled to all rents and profits which have accrued and are collected after the default. Profit is short for” profit-à-prendre “, middle French for right of taking, meaning a right to go on property and take natural resources, such as timber, crops, or minerals. This assumes that the borrower has leased the property and has something to collect. The frustration of small and moderate commercial lenders is with the knowledge that, while they are not getting paid, the defaulting borrower is collecting cash from its tenants. Enforcement of the assignment of rents clause can provide some satisfaction.

The enforcement of the rents and profits assignment is governed by California Civil Code section 2938. It requires that the assignment must be perfected by recording. And it provides lenders four ways to enforce assignments of rent, summarized as: (1) The appointment of a receiver, (2) Obtaining possession of the rents, issues, or profits, (3) Delivery to any one or more of the tenants of a written demand for turnover of rents, or (4) Delivery to the assignor of a written demand for the rents.

The statute also protects the lender enforcing its rights under the statute by providing that such enforcement does not violate the one action rule of Civil Procedure section 726; the lender may still foreclose, and if it does so judicially, may seek a deficiency judgment. However, it provides that rents collected by the lender are to be credited against amounts required to reinstate the loan (Civil Code 2924(c). The unwary lender collecting rents and profits directly may accidentally reinstate the loan, taking the borrower out of default. The lender needs to calculate the risk of this happening; an alternative is to have a receiver appointed, in which case the lender does not usually receive rent until after completion of a foreclosure, thus avoiding risk of triggering a reinstatement.

Another concern for the lender is that, under subdivision g, the borrower or any of its other assignees can demand that the collecting lender use those rents for the “reasonable costs of protecting and preserving the property”, including payment of taxes and insurance and compliance with building and housing codes. The collecting lender then becomes obligated to do so, and that obligation continues until the lender either ceases to collect the rents or has a receiver appointed to do so. Lenders considering collection should consult with an experienced California real estate attorney.

California statutes and legal decisions characterize rents and profits as real property collateral, not personal property, even after the borrower landlord collects them. However, for the creditor to collect, they must take one of the statutory steps, otherwise, the borrower-landlord is free to do what they want with the cash.

california absolute assignment of rents

Real Estate Terms Dictionary

Assignment of Leases and Rents

Definition of "assignment of leases and rents".

Sometimes called Assignment of Leases, Rents and Profits or simply Assignment of Rents, this is a document attached to a mortgage loan agreement which entitles the lender to any income (from leases, rents, etc.) derived from the property once the owner defaults on the loan. Find more information under Assignment of Rent .

Assignment of leases and rents - example

The Assignment of Leases and Rents, filed on the same day the property owner took out a second mortgage, functions as collateral (it guarantees that the property owner will pay back the loan on time). In this case, it entitles the lender to $398,000 from leases and rents in case the property owner defaults on the mortgage.

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Disclaimer: The glossary is intended to provide real estate professionals and home buyers with a basic understanding of various specialized terms related to legal rights over a property. All terms appear in public records such as ACRIS. We do not take responsibility for the legal accuracy of the definitions provided and ask that use of these explanations in a legal setting be made only after checking with a lawyer or another specialist in the field.

california absolute assignment of rents

Assignment of Leases and Rents (Pro-Lender) | Practical Law

california absolute assignment of rents

Assignment of Leases and Rents (Pro-Lender)

Practical law standard document 9-555-4236  (approx. 30 pages).

What Is a Deed of Trust With Assignment of Rents?

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When you buy a home with the help of a mortgage in California, you'll sign a "deed of trust." This document pledges your property as security for the loan. When you buy a rental property, you'll sign an equivalent document called a "deed of trust with assignment of rents." This deed puts teeth in the lender's security interest by giving it the right to collect rents directly from the tenant if you default on the mortgage payments.

A deed of trust with assignment of rents gives your lender power to collect rental income from your tenants should you default on the loan.

It Secures the Note

A deed of trust with assignment of rents acts as extra security for the lender. It gives the lender the right to collect any rents that the property generates if you don't make your loan payments. The lender records a notice of default against you and can then can present a copy of the notice along with a copy of the deed of trust with assignment of rents as proof that they are entitled to receive the income. Having a specific assignment of rents clause is essential since leases are technically agreements between you and your tenants. Without your permission, your lender would be unable to collect the rents from the tenants to pay off the mortgage default.

Know the Deed of Trust

Most loans in California are securitized by deeds of trust instead of mortgages. When you take out a loan, you sign a promissory note. This document contains your promise to make the loan repayments to the lender. The deed of trust is a separate document. It transfers ownership of your property to an impartial third party, called a trustee. When you fulfill your obligations under the note, the trustee will transfer the deed to you, so you get full ownership of the property. A deed of trust with assignment of rents works the same way as a regular deed of trust, in that it transfers ownership to a trustee. The only difference is that it also contains a rent assignment clause.

Deed of Trust vs. Mortgage

Deeds of trust are different from mortgages in one fundamental way. Mortgages have two parties – you and your lender. Deeds of trust have a third party sitting in the middle. Because of this, foreclosing is much easier. California trust deeds – with or without an assignment of rent clause – typically do not have a period of redemption, making it possible for your lender to complete the foreclosure process in just a few months.

Investigate Other Alternatives

If you don't want to give your lender a security interest in your property and in your rental income stream, you probably won't be able to use its money to buy the property. Another option is to buy the property with all-cash. Alternately, you could take out unsecured financing, such as a line of credit, or take out funding secured by a different asset. Bear in mind, though, that an assignment of rent clause is not as heavy-handed as it sounds. The lender will only take the rent if and when you default on the mortgage. Pay the loan on time, and there will never be any need to activate the assignment of rents clause.

Steve Lander has been a writer since 1996, with experience in the fields of financial services, real estate and technology. His work has appeared in trade publications such as the "Minnesota Real Estate Journal" and "Minnesota Multi-Housing Association Advocate." Lander holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Columbia University.

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Absolute Assignment of Leases and Rents Sample Clauses

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COMMENTS

  1. Assignment of Rents Clauses under California Law and in Bankruptcy

    The relative priority among competing perfected lienors is deter- mined by priority of the mortgage or trust deed. Id. 12. Childs v. Shelburne Realty Co., 23

  2. An underutilized remedy for California lenders: Section 2938 rent

    Mortgage lenders in California typically take an “assignment of rents” from the borrower when they originate loans. However, if the borrower

  3. Assignment of Rents and Profits of California Commercial Properties

    Lenders on commercial properties usually require a Deed of Trust that gives them an assignment of rents and profits. The idea is that

  4. Assignment of Leases and Rents

    Location: 14101, 14135 and 14177 Main Street, Hesperia, California ... Notwithstanding that this Assignment is an absolute assignment of the Leases and

  5. Mortgage and Absolute Assignment of Rents and Leases ...

    WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.. Commercial Mortgage Origination. MAC # A0194-093. 45 Fremont Street, 9th Floor. San Francisco, California 94105. Attention: CMO Loan

  6. Assignment of Leases and Rents definition

    This is a document attached to a mortgage loan agreement which entitles the lender to any income derived from the property once the owner defaults on the

  7. Assignment of Rents

    In support of its decision that possession of the property was unnecessary to entitle a lender with an absolute assignment to. California Real Property Journal

  8. Assignment of Leases and Rents (Pro-Lender)

    This Standard Document compares absolute and collateral lease assignments and discusses such issues as governing law, enforceability, and the borrower's

  9. What Is a Deed of Trust With Assignment of Rents?

    When you buy a home with the help of a mortgage in California, you'll sign a "deed of trust." This document pledges your property as security for the loan.

  10. Absolute Assignment of Leases and Rents Sample Clauses

    Absolute Assignment of Leases and Rents. In consideration of the making of the Loan by Lenders to Borrower and other good and valuable consideration