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Regulations...
No-Lien Regulations
Reminder
Real estate agents, closing companies and lending
institutions are advised that all no-lien requests must be made by using the Borough's
No-Lien Application
Form. Requirements differ depending upon whether the request is for a
refinance or for a sale of a home. All requirements are explained and
listed on the
Application. There is a fee for the no-lien letter that must accompany
the Application. In addition to the No-Lien Application Form and fee, a
Wage Tax Questionnaire
Form is also required. The form is to be completed by the buyer if the
property/house is being sold and by the current homeowner/renter if the property
is being refinanced.
Requirements
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Requests for lien letters must be received at least seven
working days in advance of closing and must be requested using the Borough's
No-Lien Application
Form.
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A test of the existing sewerage system must be completed
and defects corrected or alternate security provided prior to the issuance
of a no-lien letter. The homeowner must choose a plumber from the Borough’s
List of Registered
Plumbers and have the plumber the Sanitary Sewer Inspector at the
Borough Office (412) 963-1100 to make arrangements for the test. The Borough
performs the test in conjunction with a plumber retained by the Seller. The
Borough charges a fee (the
plumber will have a separate fee) for the test, which must be paid prior to
the dye test being scheduled. (See
Dye Test Payment
Form.) Dye Tests are generally valid for one year unless the home
is changing owners. HAVE THE PLUMBER CONTACT THE BOROUGH OFFICE TO SCHEDULE
A DYE TEST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO AVOID ANY DELAYS IN OBTAINING A NO-LIEN
LETTER, ESPECIALLY IF REPAIRS/CORRECTIONS ARE NEEDED.
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A
Wage Tax Questionnaire
Form must be completed, signed by the prospective purchasers and returned to
the Borough Office. (If this is a request for refinancing purposes, the Wage
Tax Questionnaire Form must be signed by the current homeowner. A Wage Tax
Questionnaire Form is required for every refinance request, even if the
homeowner(s) have recently refinanced.)
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A forwarding address for the SELLERS must be provided.
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The Borough charges a
fee for the issuance of a no-lien
letter that must be paid prior to the issuance of a no-lien letter.
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Prior to issuing a no-lien letter, an investigation is
made to verify that current and prior years’ earned income taxes (EIT) have
been paid. It is strongly recommended that you inform the Sellers/Current
Owners (and/or Renters) of this procedure to minimize any delay in obtaining
a no-lien letter. Address: Joint Tax Collection Agency (J.T.C.A.), 1000
Gamma Drive, Suite 602, Pittsburgh, PA 15238. Phone No: (412) 967-9680. (The
J.T.C.A. is located in RIDC Park next to Max & Irmas Restaurant and is
closed on Mondays.)
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For refinancing purposes the Borough only requires: 1.)
Wage Tax Questionnaire Form completed by homeowner(s) 2.) no-lien
fee payable to the Borough of Fox
Chapel 3.) Earned Income Tax current with the J.T.C.A. (See above.)
Dye Testing Procedures for the Sale of a Home
A "Dye Test Payment"
form must be completed and a fee paid
prior to scheduling the dye test. The homeowner must choose a plumber from
the Borough's List of
Registered Plumbers. Once a plumber has been chosen, have the plumber
contact the Superintendent of Sanitary Sewers at (412) 963-1100 to schedule a
dye test. After the dye test is done, the homeowner may choose any plumber
he/she wishes to correct the defects/repairs if the sewer lateral dye test
fails. If the dye test fails, either repairs have to be made to the sewer
lateral or a Sewer
Lateral Defects Agreement must be completed and submitted along with a
proposal from the plumber and an escrow amount stipulated by the plumber's
proposal prior to closing. The escrow check must be
payable to the Borough of Fox Chapel and is deposited in the Borough's accounts.
The Borough generally pays the escrow amount directly to the plumber who has
submitted the proposal to correct the defects. It is important to schedule
the dye test as soon as the property is listed as the entire process can take
several weeks.
During inclement weather periods (snow and ice conditions), dye testing
procedures will be halted due to frozen ground conditions. In lieu of a
dye test being performed during this period, an
Inclement Weather
Agreement (ensuring that a dye test will be performed once weather permits)
must be signed by both sellers and buyers, notarized and submitted with a $1,000
check payable to the Borough of Fox Chapel. (The Borough holds the escrow
amount.) Dye testing generally resumes in late March or April depending on
weather conditions. Homeowners and buyers are further advised to enter
into a separate agreement regarding any additional costs associated with
repairing the sewer lateral if the dye test fails.
In addition to the above you may need to contact the Tax
Collector at (412) 963-1100 if you are in need of a real estate tax certification.
Contact the Fox Chapel Authority for payment of Water and Sewage
Bills at (412) 963-0212.

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