PLAINITFF’S AGENTS WHO MAILED THE RPAPL 1304 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE WERE NOT IDENTIFIED IN PLAINTIFF’S AFFIDAVIT OFFERED IN SUPPORT OF SUMMARY JUDGMENT IN THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING; ALSO, THE AFFIDAVIT PROVIDED NO FOUNDATION FOR SUBMITTED DOCUMENTS FROM A THIRD-PARTY VENDOR; THEREFORE PLAINTIFF WAS NOT ENTITLED TO SUMMARY JUDGMENT (SECOND DEPT).

The Second Department, reversing Supreme Court, determined the affidavit submitted by the plaintiff in this foreclosure action to demonstrate the proper mailing of the RPAPL 1304 notice of foreclosure was deficient, requiring denial of plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment:

… [P]laintiff submitted an affidavit of Connie Melendez, an employee of the plaintiff. … Melendez’s affidavit failed to establish that notice was sent … in the manner required by RPAPL 1304. While Melendez averred that she had personal knowledge of the plaintiff’s standard office mailing procedures and described those purported procedures, she acknowledged that the mailings were carried out “by and through [the plaintiff’s] agents.” However, Melendez did not identify who those agents were or attest that she was familiar with their standard office mailing procedures. Thus, Melendez’s affidavit did not establish proof of a standard office mailing procedure designed to ensure that items are properly addressed and mailed … . Further, Melendez’s affidavit failed to address the nature of the plaintiff’s relationship with a certain third-party vendor and whether the third-party vendor’s records were incorporated into the plaintiff’s own records or routinely relied upon in the plaintiff’s business … . Thus, Melendez’s affidavit failed to lay a foundation for the admission of a transaction report generated by the third-party vendor … . Finally, “the tracking numbers on the copies of the . . . notices submitted by the plaintiff, standing alone, did not suffice to establish, prima facie, proper mailing under RPAPL 1304” … . Likewise, a “Proof of Filing Statement” from the New York State Banking Department pursuant to RPAPL 1306 failed to establish, prima facie, the plaintiff’s compliance with the requirements of RPAPL 1304 … . For the same reasons, the plaintiff failed to establish, prima facie, that a notice of default in accordance with sections 15 and 22 of the mortgage agreement was properly transmitted prior to the commencement of this action … . Nationstar Mtge., LLC v Ricks, 2025 NY Slip Op 04728, Second Dept 8-20-25

Practice Point: Agents who mailed the RPAPL 1304 notice were not identified in plaintiff’s affidavit and plaintiff’s relationship with a third party vendor was not demonstrated. Therefore the affidavit submitted by plaintiff in this foreclosure action did not prove proper mailing of the notice of foreclosure and did not demonstrate compliance with related provisions in the mortgage agreement.