9. a. Within 10 days of filing a complaint pursuant to P.L.2003, c.210 (C. 55:19-78 et al.), the plaintiff shall file a notice of lis pendens with the county recording officer of the county within which the building is located.

b. At least 30 days before filing the complaint, the municipality shall serve a notice of intention to take possession of an abandoned building. The notice shall inform the owner and interested parties that the property has not been legally occupied for six months and of those criteria that led to a determination of abandonment pursuant to section 4 of P.L.2003, c.210 (C. 55:19-81).

The notice shall provide that unless the owner or a party in interest prepares and submits a rehabilitation plan to the appropriate municipal officials, the municipality will seek to gain possession of the building to rehabilitate the property and the associated cost shall be a lien against the property, which may be satisfied by the sale of the property, unless the owner applies to the court for reinstatement of control of the property as provided in section 15 of P.L.2003, c.210 (C. 55:19-92).

After the complaint is filed, the complaint shall be served on the parties in interest in accordance with the New Jersey Rules of Court.

c. After serving the notice of intent pursuant to subsection b. of this section, the municipality or its designee may enter upon that property after written notice to the owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, in order to secure, stabilize or repair the property, or in order to inspect the property for purposes of preparing the plan to be submitted to the court pursuant to section 12 of P.L.2003, c.210 (C. 55:19-89).

L.2003,c.210,s.9; amended 2005, c.118, s.5.