HB 269 Summary

• Creates new section 447.750 defining "abandonment" as intentional or voluntary relinquishment of ownership, title, interest, or possession of land, buildings, or real property.

• Allows property owners to file a notarized notice of abandonment with the county recorder of deeds to relieve themselves of maintenance obligations and liability for the property prospectively (after filing).

• Establishes a hierarchy for vesting abandoned property ownership: joint/co-owners, tenants in possession, abutting landowners, same-block landowners, condominium/subdivision associations, lienholders, municipality, and finally the county.

• Requires interested parties to elect in writing within 45 days of notice mailing to take ownership, with a $100 fee for most recipients; recorder of deeds shall use lottery if multiple equal-priority claimants apply.

• Requires recorder of deeds to post notice on the property and mail notices to lienholders, same-block property owners, and local government entities; abandoning party pays $50 for posting and mailing costs.