PLAINTIFF DID NOT DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE NOTICE PROVISIONS OF REAL PROPERTY ACTIONS AND PROCEEDINGS LAW (RPAPL) 1304 AND 1306 IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION; PROOF REQUIREMENTS EXPLAINED IN SOME DEPTH (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the plaintiff loan services company (Aurora/Nationstar) did not demonstrate compliance with the notice requirements of Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law (RPAPL) 13O4 and 1306. Therefore, Aurora’s motion for summary judgment in this foreclosure action should not have been granted. The court, noting that “lack of notice’ may be raised at any time, explained defendant did not waive the “lack of notice” defense because defendant denied the plaintiff’s complaint-allegations of compliance and raised the issue in opposition to plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. The Second Department further found defendant was not entitled to summary judgment because “lack of notice” was not demonstrated as a matter of law. The decision provides a valuable explanation of the proof requirements for compliance with RPAPL 1304 and 1306:
In support of its motions, Aurora submitted the affidavit of Jerrell Menyweather, a document execution specialist employed by Nationstar, along with a copy of a 90-day notice addressed to the defendant, and a proof of filing statement pursuant to RPAPL 1306 from the New York State Banking Department. Although Menyweather stated in the affidavit that the RPAPL notices were sent to the defendant at her last known address and the subject property, Menyweather did not have personal knowledge of the mailing, and Aurora failed to provide any documents to prove that the notices were actually mailed … . Aurora also failed to submit a copy of any United States Post Office document indicating that the notices were sent by registered or certified mail as required by the statute … . Furthermore, Menyweather did not aver that he was familiar with Aurora’s mailing practices and procedures, and therefore did not establish proof of a standard office practice and procedure designed to ensure that items are properly addressed and mailed … . Nationstar Mtge., LLC v Matles, 2020 NY Slip Op 03793, 7-8-20
