Fox Chapel Borough - No-Lien Regulations

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

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.
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.
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.)
A forwarding address for the SELLERS must be provided.
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.
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.)
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.