THE BANK DID NOT DEMONSTRATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE NOTICE REQUIREMENTS OF RPAPL 1304 (SECOND DEPT).
The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the bank did not demonstrate compliance with the notice requirements of RPAPL 1304 in this foreclosure action:
Although the envelope has “Wells Fargo Home Mortgage” printed on it, there is no visible sender address. The envelope has the name “Shields” [defendant] hand-written in the top right corner. The envelope is further marked “return to sender illegible unable to forward” by the United States Post Office. The plaintiff also provided a copy of a certified mail return receipt card addressed to both of the defendants at the subject property’s address. This card is neither signed by a recipient nor postmarked. In addition, the plaintiff provided a certified manifest demonstrating proof of filing pursuant to RPAPL 1306, which only refers to a purported mailing to Shields. Therefore, the plaintiff failed to eliminate questions of fact as to whether notices were sent to both defendants in compliance with RPAPL 1304, and whether the notices were received. Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. v Shields, 2022 NY Slip Op 00462, Second Dept 1-26-22