Ohio's new requirements for junior lienholders and mortgage servicers

It has been a little over six months since Ohio Revised Code § 1349.72 went into effect—a law that requires holders of junior liens on residential real property to first send a written notice containing specific information prior to attempting to collect any part of a debt in default. Due to the vague terms contained in the law, however, there is quite a bit of uncertainty surrounding it. Unfortunately, none of that uncertainty has been resolved since its enactment, as the law does not appear to have been cited by a single Ohio court decision. 

Residential mortgage lending and servicing businesses should consider whether they have procedures in place that comply with this new law.