Ch. 541

1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(b) (1) To facilitate a transfer of real property the Board may release any liens
for unpaid city real property taxes or other charges and assessments imposed by the
Mayor and City Council of Baltimore City to which the property would otherwise be
subject, if:

(i) the total amount of liens for unpaid city real property taxes,
charges, and assessments imposed with respect to the property exceeds THE LESSER OF
the total value of the land and any improvement on the land as last determined by the
Department OR AS DETERMINED BY AN APPRAISAL REPORT PREPARED NOT MORE
THAN 6 MONTHS BEFORE THE REQUEST FOR THE RELEASE OF THE LIEN, BY A REAL
ESTATE APPRAISER WHO IS LICENSED UNDER TITLE 16 OF THE BUSINESS AND
OCCUPATIONS ARTICLE;

(ii) the property is certified by the Baltimore City Department of
Housing and Community Development to be:

1. vacant; and

2. A. unsafe;

B. unfit for occupancy; or

C. in need of substantia] repair;

(iii) the potential transferee demonstrates the ability to return the
property to productive use within a reasonable period of time;

(iv) the Board finds that a transfer under this section is necessary:

1. to eliminate a blighting influence; and

2. to prevent the tax abandonment of a property; and

(v) the potential transferee presents evidence to the Board that fair
market value is being paid.

(2) The Board may waive the requirement in paragraph (1)(v) of this
subsection if the potential transferee is a nonprofit organization as defined in Article 83B,
§ 2-203(v) of the Code.

(3) (i) If more than one qualified person or entity competes for the real
property transfer, preference shall be given to the person or entity which will create
homeownership opportunities.

(ii) If more than one qualified person or entity competing for the same
property transfer will create homeownership opportunities, the Board shall consider
other factors in selecting a transferee.

(c) The release of a lien for city real property taxes, charges, or assessments as
authorized under subsection (b) of this section in no way limits the ability of the Mayor
and City Council of Baltimore City to seek enforcement of the liability of the person
responsible for the taxes, charges, or assessments.

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