[HISTORY: Adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the Township of Abington as indicated in article histories. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Adopted 11-10-2005 by Ord. No. 1930]
The cost of $40 to mail the notice of delinquency, as required by Act 20 of 2003, plus the cost of the postage, will be added to the Township's claim for each account as an administrative charge.
Interest will be assessed upon all delinquent real estate tax claims at a rate of 10% per annum.
A. 
In accordance with Section 1 of the Municipal Claims and Tax Liens Act, the Township hereby approves the following schedule of attorney fees to be assessed in the collection of delinquent real estate tax claims:
Legal Services
Fee For Services
Initial review and sending first demand letter
$160
File lien and mail second demand letter
$175
Prepare writ of scire facias
$175
Obtain reissued writ
$30
Prepare and mail letter under Pa. R.C.P. § 237.1
$ 30
Prepare motion for alternate service
$175
Prepare default judgment
$175
Prepare writ of execution
$800
Attendance at sale; review schedule of distribution and resolve distribution issues
$400
Continue sheriff sale
$50
Petition to assess damages
$50
Petition for free and clear sale
$400
Prepare bankruptcy proof of claim
$100
Handling fee for returned check
$30
Handling fee to issue refund check
$20
Bookkeeping fee for payment plan of more than three payments
$50
Services not covered above
At an hourly rate between $60 and $225 per hour
B. 
The amount of fees determined as set forth above are fair and reasonable for services to be provided and shall be added to the Township's claim in each account.
C. 
There shall be added to the above amounts the reasonable out-of-pocket charges, costs, expenses, commissions and fees such as but not limited to postage, title searches, prothonotary fees and sheriff fees.
D. 
The amount of charges, expenses, commissions and fees determined as set forth above shall be added to the Township's claim in each account.
The following collection procedures are hereby established in accordance with the Act:
A. 
At least 30 days prior to assessing or imposing attorney fees in connection with the collection of an account, the Township shall mail or cause to be mailed, by certified mail, return receipt requested, a notice of such intention to the taxpayer or other entity liable for the account (the "property owner").
B. 
If the certified mail notice is undelivered, then, at least 10 days prior to the assessing or imposing such attorney fees, the Township shall mail or cause to be mailed, by first class mail, a second notice to the property owner.
C. 
All notices required by this article shall be mailed to the property owner's last known post office address as recorded in the records or other information of the Township, or such other address as it may be able to obtain from the County Office of Assessment and Revision of Taxes.
D. 
Each notice as described above shall include the following:
(1) 
The type of tax claim or other charge, the date it became due and the amount owed, including interest;
(2) 
A statement of the Township's intent to impose or assess attorney fees within 30 days after the mailing of the first notice, or within 10 days after the mailing of the second notice;
(3) 
The manner in which the assessment or imposition of attorney fees may be avoided by payment of the account; and
(4) 
The place of payment for accounts and the name and telephone number of the Township representative designated as responsible for collection matters.
The proper officials of the Township are hereby authorized and empowered to take such additional action as they may deem necessary or appropriate to implement this article.