Property Receivers
Overview
The appointment of a receiver is one of a number of means by which a mortgagee can enforce a mortgage. A receiver under a mortgage granted by an individual is often referred to as a “fixed charge” receiver. This is to distinguish this kind of receiver from a floating charge (or administrative) receiver who takes control of all of a company’s assets in much the same way as a liquidator.
The principal purpose of a fixed charge receiver is to put in place at arm’s length, an individual or a business who may collect the rent of a mortgaged property and (provided there is a power of sale in the charge which has been delegated to the receiver) to sell the property. A receiver insulates the mortgagee from the legal obligation that arises from being a mortgagee in possession. It most suited to investment properties.
The statutory powers in a registered charge do not arise until the charge has been registered. Arguably, the contractual powers are binding as between mortgagor and mortgagee.
Acting as Receiver
There is no legal requirement for any particular registration or qualification in order to act as a fixed charge receiver. There are very few restrictions on who may be appointed a fixed charge receiver.
Fixed charge receivers have been rarely used in recent times in Ireland. They have been used to a must greater extent in England under almost identical legislation. Fixed charge receivers under English mortgages are usually Chartered Surveyors. The Association of Property and Fixed Charge Receivers is the trade body for fixed charge receivers.
An advantage of appointing a receiver is that the mortgagee does not become “mortgagee in possession”. The mortgagee does not, for example, assume the responsibilities of a landlord. It is not liable to account for default in management to the same extent as if it became a mortgagee in possession.
The receiver is usually deemed to be an agent of the mortgagor/borrower. This insulates the mortgagee from liability as mortgagee in possession. On a practical level, it places the enforcement of the mortgage with an outsider on an arm’s length basis.
The disadvantage of a receiver is that unlike the mortgagee in possession, he does not take title to the land. This can be relevant in some circumstances, such as in terminating tenancies. On the other hand, a well-drafted mortgage deed may give receivers extended powers to deal with the land and with tenants.
Appointment I
There may be a specific power to appoint a receiver in a mortgage deed of property. Even if there is not, there is a right under the Conveyancing Act (which is preserved under the 2009 law reforms), which applies in the absence of anything to the contrary.
The Conveyancing Act power provides a mortgagee with a statutory power to appoint a receiver over the income of a mortgaged property. The mortgage must be made by deed, as will invariably be the case.
If there is no signed mortgage or no signed and registered charge in place, it is possible to apply to the court to have a receiver appointed. See our chapter on court-appointed receivers.
It is possible and usual to extend the powers of the receiver in the mortgage deed. For example, a receiver is often granted extended powers such as a power of sale. In the event that the statutory power is not expanded, it may be possible to delegate the mortgagee’s power of sale to the same agent who acts as a receiver.
Appointment II
The circumstances in which a receiver may be appointed are the same as in relation to the exercise of the statutory power of sale. They apply when one of the following apply;
- notice requiring payment of the mortgage monies has been served on the mortgage and there are three months’ default in payment;
- interest is in arrears and unpaid two months after becoming due; or
- there is a breach of the conditions of the mortgage (e.g. non-financial conditions).
The mortgage deed is commonly modified, so that the power to appoint a receiver may be exercised without these restrictions. In some cases the mortgage provides a right to appoint a receiver at any time. Most mortgages require a default and that the secured monies has fallen due. Commonly, this requires that the monies be demanded so that they become immediately due for the purpose of the loan agreement and mortgage.
A mortgagee who has taken possession may appoint a receiver. It is usually possible to appoint and remove a receiver on multiple occasions. Two or more joint receivers are commonly appointed. This is commonly done so as to act as a control. A receiver will generally be appointed by way of a written document or deed. The receiver may also be removed in writing.
Appointment III
Commonly, companies execute fixed charges in the buy to let sector. A person appointing a receiver over company’s property must give seven days’ notice to the Registrar of Companies.
The receiver will usually require confirmation that he has been properly appointed. The appointing mortgagee may be obliged to indemnify the person appointed as a receiver in case of there is invalidity in the appointment. In other cases, the mortgagor may give no indemnity and the receiver must satisfy himself in relation to the validity of the security and his appointment. If issues arise in that regard, a limited indemnity may be given by the mortgagor.
A receiver’s appointment can be terminated in writing from time to time. A receiver appointed by a later mortgagee will be replaced by a receiver subsequently appointed by a prior mortgagee.
Role of Receiver
The Conveyancing Act (and the 2009 law reforms) deems the receiver appointed under the statutory power to be an agent of the mortgagor/borrower. This makes the mortgagor liable for his actions. Although the receiver is an agent of the mortgagor, his primary duty is to realise the assets in the mortgage. He acts in the interests of the mortgagee.
The mortgagor has no say in the appointment of the receiver. He cannot revoke the appointment.
The borrower may have granted a tenancy or lease, which is not binding on the mortgagee. The tenancy will not become binding on the mortgagee simply because rent is paid to the receiver. The mortgagee may still terminate the lease at a subsequent date. If the receiver collects rent on behalf of the mortgagee and does not flag that he is a receiver, the tenancy may become binding on the mortgagee.
In the case is a mortgage by an individual, moveable goods will not be included in the mortgage. Where the property is let, the rent must be apportioned between the land and the movable items.
Duties of Fixed Charge Receiver I
The primary duty of the receiver is to the mortgagee who appoints him. His powers may be exercised to the disadvantage of the mortgagor. The receiver has limited obligations to the mortgagor and subsequent mortgagees. He must exercise his powers in good faith for the purpose of recovering the mortgage debt.
The receiver is obliged to take reasonable care in performing his duties. He must, for example, enforce the terms of lease rent reviews. There are slight differences in views regarding the extent to which the receiver owes duties to lower ranking mortgagees, the mortgagor, and guarantors.
The receiver does not have a duty to immediately realise assets. Decisions taken in good faith regarding trading or renting as opposed to selling are primarily for the receiver to decide. He is not compelled to adopt any particular course.
Duties of Fixed Charge Receiver II
A receiver may be liable if he abuses his powers by failing to use them for the purpose of preserving and realising the security for the benefit of the mortgagee. If the receiver acts in bad faith or improperly, he may be challenged. There are views that the duty may be broader, namely to manage the property with due diligence. He must take reasonable steps to operate profitably.
The receiver’s primary duty is to ensure the debt is serviced and interest paid. He also has a duty to try to bring about a situation where the debt itself can be repaid. A receiver has no right to remain passive if this would damage the interests of the mortgagee. He must be active in the protection and preservation of the property.
The receiver is not just a rent collector. He has a duty to safeguard and manage the property. The receiver should insure the property against the usual risks. The receiver has a duty to account for receipts and outgoings.
A receiver appointed under the Conveyancing Act has the power to demand and recover rent of the property of which he is appointed receiver. He may bring legal proceedings or enforce the collection of rent using the legal power of distress (as recently modernised). He may take legal action in the name of either the mortgagee or mortgage. He can give an effective receipt to the tenants. If the tenant pays to the borrower, the receiver can still demand the rent.
Sale by Receiver
A receiver does not have a power of sale under the default rules. A mortgage deed will commonly give the receiver a power of sale. A receiver is under no duty to exercise the power of sale if he has such a power. If he does so, he must obtain the best price reasonably obtainable. His position is the same as a mortgagee exercising a power of sale. See the chapter in relation to the power of sale.
The Companies Acts provide that a receiver in selling property of a company must exercise reasonable care to obtain the best price reasonably attainable for the property at the time of sale. The balance of opinion is that the receiver is in much the same position as a mortgagee in possession. He is not obliged to wait for the market to rise but must take proper steps to secure the best available price at the time of sale. The fact that it might later appear he could have got a better price, will not generally make the receiver liable.
The Companies Act restricts a receiver who wishes to sell a non-cash asset of a certain value by private contract, to anyone who was a shareholder director control of the company, in previous three years. The receiver must give at least 14 days’ notice of his intention to all creditors of the company. This does not apply to a sale by public auction.
Application of Funds
The order of application of proceeds is set out in the Conveyancing Act and restated in the 2009 Act is similar (but not identical) terms.
The receiver shall apply money is as follows
- in the discharge of rents taxes, rates and outgoings affecting the property;
- keeping down annual sums payments interest and principal sums having priority to the mortgage under which it is appointed;
- in payment of his commission premiums and insurances, properly payable under the deed
- costs of executing necessary or proper repairers directed by the mortgagee;
- In payment of interest accruing due in respect of principal money under the mortgage
- and the residue to the person who but for at the possession after receiver could have been entitled to receive the income after property or who is otherwise entitled.
After payment of interest and principal money, any surplus is to be paid to the person who but for the possession of the receiver will have been entitled to the income of the property. Under the 2009 Act, it is expressly stated that the balance may be paid towards the reduction of the principal.
Remuneration
A receiver appointed under the statutory power may retain monies for his remuneration in satisfaction of all cost charges and expenses incurred by him. A commission not exceeding 5% of the gross amount of all monies received may be retained. If no rate is specified, 5% commission applies. Alternatively, the court may fix different rates. There is a question as to whether this rate of commission can be varied by the mortgage deed, where the statutory power is invoked.
A leading English authority (on identical legislation) highlights the doubts and indicates that it may be possible in principle to vary the commission rate by the mortgage deed. It indicates the more prudent course may be not to rely on the statutory power but to provide a separate power to appoint a receiver under the contractual terms, independent of the statutory power. This is commonly done in the case of receivers under floating charges.
2009 Reforms
The power to appoint a receiver has been preserved in the 2009 reforms. However, some restrictions have been placed on the exercise of the rights for mortgages signed after 1st December 2009. These may be (and invariably are) changed by the mortgage deed in the case of a non-housing loan.
The right to appoint a receiver will not be exercisable until after 28 days’ notice in the prescribed form has been given to the mortgagor. The purpose of exercising the right must be to protect the property or realise the security. The right to appoint will arise on the creation of this security. It will not be dependent on the mortgage money becoming due. However, there are certain conditions in relation to its exercise.
The mortgagee may not be receiver and mortgagee at the same time. However, a mortgagee in possession may appoint a receiver. A receiver may resign or be removed in which event be mortgagee can become mortgagee in possession.
The 2009 Act modifies the default provisions in respect of receiver’s remuneration. The commission is to be at a rate prescribed by regulations from time to time.
Court Receiver
Where the statutory power of appointment of a receiver is not available, an application to court may be made for the appointment of a receiver. In this case, the receiver owes obligations to the court. A court-appointed receiver is a flexible means of enforcing security against a range of assets such as shares in a partnership trading business, and so on. See the chapter on court receivers
References and Sources
Irish Texts
Breslin Banking law + Supplement 3rd Ed 2013
Mortgages Law & Practice Maddox 2nd Ed 2017
NAMA Act 2009: A Reference Guide Raghallaigh, Kennedy, Whelan
Money Laundering & Anti-Terrorist Financing Act 2010
Financial & Emergency Provision Legislation Annotated 2011
Shelley & McGrath National Asset Management Agency Act Annotated 2011
Dodd & Carroll Law Relating to NAMA 2012 0
Ashe & Reid Anti-Money Laundering: Risks, Governance & Compliance 2013
Johnston & Ors Arthur Cox Banking Law Handbook 2007
Dr Mary Donnelly The Law of Credit and Security, 2nd Ed, 2015
UK Texts
A Hudson The Law of Finance 2nd Ed (Sweet and Maxwell 2013)
Veil (Ed) European capital markets law (Hart Publishing 2013)
IG MacNeil An Introduction to the Law on Financial Investment 2nd Ed ( Hart Publishing 2012)
E Ferran Principles of Corporate Finance 2nd Ed ( OUP 2014)
Gullifer (ed) Goode and Gullifer on legal problems of credit and security (6th edn Sweet and Maxwell London 2017).
MA Clarke et al (eds) Commercial Law: Text, Cases and Materials (5th edn OUP Oxford 2017)
McKendrick (ed) Goode on commercial law (5th edn Penguin London 2017)
G McCormack Secured credit under English and American law (CUP Cambridge 2004)
L Gullifer and J Payne Corporate Finance (2nd edn Hart Oxford 2015)
D Sheehan The Principles of Personal Property Law (2nd edn Hart Oxford 2017)
Ross Cranston, Emilios Avgouleas, Kristin van Zwieten, Christopher Hare, and Theodor van Sante Principles of Banking Law 3rd Ed 2018
E.P. Ellinger, E. Lomnicka, and C. Hare Ellinger’s Modern Banking Law 5th Ed 2011
Andrew Haynes The Law Relating to International Banking Bloomsbury Professional 2009
Charles Proctor Mann on the Legal Aspect of Money 7th Ed 2012
Charles Proctor The Law and Practice of International Banking 2nd Ed 2015
Sheelagh McCracken The Banker’s Remedy of Set-Off 2010 Bloomsbury Professional
Louise Gullifer, Jennifer Payne Banking & Financial Law 2018
Hubert Picarda QC The Law Relating to Receivers, Managers and Administrators 4th Ed 2006 5th Ed 2019
Lightman & Moss on the Law of Administrators and Receivers of Companies 6th Ed Sweet & Maxwell 2017
Timothy N Parsons Lingard’s Bank Security Documents 6th Ed 2015