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Lot Lease Program

2 Year

Lease

$50

Cost

View Sample Application

Lot Lease Program

Citizens who own their home, non-profits, churches, and other faith-based organizations who live or work in neighborhoods as a vacant lot (no structure) are eligible to gain use of the lot through the land bank for 2 years through a lease agreement. This allows immediate use of the lot by the citizen without first working with the BLBA to clear the title, saving time and money for the citizen. At the end of two years, the Birmingham Land Bank can assist the homeowner in clearing title through the land bank’s attorneys so they own the property free and clear of all other interests.

Stepping Stone

The Lot Lease Program can be utilized as a stepping stone toward purchasing the property by providing a way for the applicant to demonstrate good stewardship while working to secure funds to go through the quiet title process. At the end of the 2-year term, applicants have the option to go through the Quiet Title program to obtain a statutory warranty deed to the property.

Eligibility

  • The Applicant must own and use as their primary residence a property in the same Neighborhood as the requested property.
  • The Applicant must not own any real property in the City of Birmingham that is subject to any unremediated citation of violation of the state and local codes and ordinances.
  • The Applicant must not own any real property that is tax deliquent.
  • The Applicant must not have been the prior owner of any tax-delinquent property or any real property that was transferred to a local government as a result of foreclosure proceedings unless the BLBA approves the anticipated disposition prior to the effective date of completion of such tax foreclosure proceedings.
  • Click this link to view more information on applicant eligiblity.
  • The property shall be vacant unimproved real property; The property shall be located in a HUD low-moderate income tract.
  • The applicant must own and use as their primary residence a property in the same Neighborhood as the
  • requested property.
  • The requested property must be adjacent to the applicant’s property or in the same neighborhood.
  • Land Bank Eligible properties are do not come off of a special list. These properties have been tax delinquent and sold to state for at least five three years and have been available for purchase through the Jefferson County Tax Sale and the State of Alabama Department of Revenue.

Requirements

Once your application is approved by the Board, you are obligated under the terms of the agreement to adhere to the following requirements:

  • Suitably maintain the Property in accordance with all applicable property maintenance, building, housing, zoning, and/or health codes, ordinances, laws and/or regulations.
  • Keep the Property clean and sanitary, removing garbage and trash, if any, as it accumulates.
  • Operate all equipment used in fulfillment of Transferee’s obligation in a reasonable, safe manner.
  • Not allow any activity on the Property that constitutes a nuisance and/or disrupts neighbors.
  • Transferee must maintain liability insurance or sign a Release of Liability form to indemnify and hold harmless the Authority, the City of Birmingham, their respective Board of Directors, and Mayor and Council, and their administrators, agents and employees from any and all liability for property damage and/or bodily injury to anyone or anything that arises from or is caused by actions or omissions taken in furtherance of this Agreement.
Learn how to check the tax deliquency status

Process

  1. After you submit a completed application, our staff will make best efforts to review it over a 30 day period. It will then go before our board for approval at the next scheduled monthly board meeting.
  2. Following the board meeting, BLBA staff will request the tax deed. Staff will contact you once the deed has arrived and is processed. At that point, BLBA staff will execute the two year lease agreement with you.
  3. During your lease, you will agree to do the following:
    • Suitably maintain the Property in accordance with all applicable property maintenance, building, housing, zoning, and/or health codes, ordinances, laws and/or regulations.
    • Keep the Property clean and sanitary, removing garbage and trash, if any, as it accumulates.
    • Operate all equipment used in fulfillment of Transferee’s obligation in a reasonable, safe manner.
    • Not allow any activity on the Property that constitutes a nuisance and/or disrupts neighbors.
    • Transferee must maintain liability insurance or sign a Release of Liability form to indemnify and hold harmless the Authority, the City of Birmingham, their respective Board of Directors, and Mayor and Council, and their administrators, agents and employees from any and all liability for property damage and/or bodily injury to anyone or anything that arises from or is caused by actions or omissions taken in furtherance of this Agreement.
  4. At the end of the 2-year term, applicants have the option to go through the Quiet Title program to obtain a statutory warranty deed to the property.
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