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REAL ESTATE LAW

What is a deed of trust with assignment of rents.

By Rebecca K. McDowell, J.D.

February 24, 2020

Reviewed by Michelle Seidel, B.Sc., LL.B., MBA

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• What Is a Corporate Assignment of Deed of Trust?

A deed of trust is a written instrument granting a lien on real property. While slightly different from a mortgage, they are functionally nearly the same. Some states use deeds of trust instead of mortgages while others allow both. Either way, a deed of trust used to secure a commercial loan may also include an assignment of rents , which gives the lender the right to collect rental income from the property in the event of default.

What Is a Deed of Trust?

A ​ deed of trust ​ is a document that a borrower may execute in favor of a lender to give the lender a lien on a parcel of real estate. Like a mortgage, a deed of trust secures the loan by allowing the lender to foreclose on the real estate if the loan isn't paid (although in some states that use deeds of trust, a foreclosure isn't necessary).

​ Read More: ​ How to Research a Deed of Trust

Deed of Trust vs. Mortgage

A deed of trust is very similar to a mortgage in that it pledges property to secure a loan. A mortgage, however, is simpler; the property owner executes a mortgage document in favor of the lender, and the lender records the mortgage and has a lien , but the property owner still holds title to the property.

A deed of trust, on the other hand, grants an actual ownership interest in the property to a trustee, who holds the property in trust for the lender until the obligation is paid.

What Is an Assignment of Rents?

An ​ assignment of rents ​ is extra security granted to a lender that provides a commercial loan. Commercial loans are loans that are not made for family or household use but for business purposes.

When a borrower grants a mortgage or deed of trust on real estate and the real estate has tenants who pay rent, the lender can demand an assignment of rents in addition to the mortgage or deed of trust.

The assignment of rents means that if the borrower defaults on the loan, the lender can step in and collect the rents directly from the tenants.

Deed of Trust With Assignment of Rents

A deed of trust may contain an assignment of rents clause for that same property. In addition to a clause in the deed of trust, the lender may also require the borrower to execute a separate document called an "Assignment of Rents" that is recorded with the register of deeds.

Whether the assignment is written in the deed of trust only or is also contained in a separate document, it is binding on the borrower as long as its language is clear and sufficient to create an assignment under state law.

Exercising an Assignment of Rents

When a lender decides to collect the rents on the borrower's property, the lender is said to be exercising the assignment of rents. The lender cannot exercise the assignment unless the borrower has defaulted on the loan. Once that happens, the lender can send a written demand to the tenant or tenants, requiring that the rents be paid directly to the lender.

Absolute Assignments of Rents

An assignment of rents most likely will contain language that the assignment is an ​ absolute assignment ​. In most states, an absolute assignment gives the lender an immediate interest in the rents. This means that the lender actually owns the rents and is simply allowing the borrower to collect them on license until an event of default. Once a default occurs, the lender can intercept the rents without taking any court action; a letter to the tenants is all that's needed.

Every state's laws are different; the law of the state where the property is located will dictate how a lender can exercise an assignment of rents.

​ Read More: ​ What Is the Difference Between a Deed and a Deed of Trust?

• Companies Incorporated: Mortgage States and Deed of Trust States
• American Bar Association: Commercial Real Estate FAQs
• Schulte Roth & Zabel: Sixth Circuit Upholds Assignment of Rents to Secured Lender
• Findlaw: California Civil Code - CIV § 2938
• Legal Beagle: What Is the Difference Between a Deed and a Deed of Trust?
• Legal Beagle: How to Research a Deed of Trust
• Legal Beagle: Documents Needed to Refinance a Mortgage
• Legal Beagle: How to File a Property Lien

Rebecca K. McDowell is a creditors' rights attorney with a special focus on bankruptcy and insolvency. She has a B.A. in English from Albion College and a J.D. from Wayne State University Law School. She has written legal articles for Nolo and the Bankruptcy Site.

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Assignment of Rents – What, Why, and How?

Article by:

Madelaine prescott, esq., share this post:.

• November 29, 2023

These days, almost all commercial loans include an Assignment of Rents as part of the Deed of Trust or Mortgage. But what is an Assignment of Rents, why is this such an important tool, and how are they enforced?

An Assignment of Rents (“AOR”) is used to grant the lender on a transaction a security interest in existing and future leases, rents, issues, or profits generated by the secured property, including cash proceeds, in the event a borrower defaults on their loan. The lender can use the AOR to step in and directly collect rental payments made by the tenant. For an AOR to be effective, the lender’s interest must be perfected, which has a few fairly simple requirements. The AOR must be in writing, executed by the borrower, and recorded with the county where the property is located. Including an AOR in the recorded Deed of Trust or Mortgage is the easiest and most common way to ensure the AOR meets these requirements should it ever need to be utilized.

When a borrower defaults, lenders can take advantage of AORs as an alternative to foreclosure to recoup their investment. With a shorter timeline and significantly lower costs, it is certainly an attractive option for lenders looking to get defaulted borrowers back on track with payments, without the potential of having to take back a property and attempting to either manage it or sell it in hopes of getting your money back out of the property. AORs can be a quick and easy way for the lender to get profits generated by the property with the goal of bringing the borrower out of default. But lenders should carefully monitor how much is owed versus how much has been collected. If the AOR generates enough funds so that the borrower is no longer in default, the lender must stop collecting rents generated by the property.

Enforcement of an AOR can also incentivize borrowers to work with the lender to formulate a plan, as many borrowers rely on rental income to cover expenses related to the property or their businesses. Borrowers are generally more willing to come to the table and negotiate a mutual, amicable resolution with the lender in order to protect their own investment. A word of warning to lenders though: since rental income is frequently used to pay expenses on the property, such as the property manager, maintenance, taxes, and other expenses, the lender needs to ensure they do not unintentionally hurt the value of the property by letting these important expenses fall behind. This may hurt the lender’s investment as well, as the property value could suffer, liens could be placed on the property, or the property may fall into disrepair if not properly maintained. It is also important for lenders to be aware of the statutes surrounding the payment of these expenses when an AOR is being used, as some state’s statutes require the lender to pay certain property expenses out of the collected rents if requested by the borrower.

In addition to being shorter and cheaper than foreclosure, AORs can be much easier to enforce. In California, the enforcement of an AOR is governed by California Civil Code §2938. This statute specifies enforcement methods lenders can use and restrictions on use of these funds by the lender, among other things. Under CA Civil Code §2938(c), there are 4 ways to enforce an AOR:

• The appointment of a receiver;
• Obtaining possession of the rents, issues, profits;
• Delivery to tenant of a written demand for turnover of rents, issues, and profits in the correct form; or
• Delivery to assignor of a written demand for the rents, issues, or profits.

One or more of these methods can be used to enforce an AOR. First, a receiver can be appointed by the court, and granted specific powers related to the AOR such as managing the property and collecting rents. They can have additional powers though; it just depends on what the court orders. This is not the simplest or easiest option as it requires court involvement, but this is used to enforce an AOR, especially when borrowers or tenants are uncooperative. Next is obtaining possession of the rents, issues, profits, which is exactly as it seems; lenders can simply obtain actual possession of these and apply the funds to the loan under their AOR.

The third and fourth options each require delivery of a written demand to certain parties, directing them to pay rent to the lender instead of to the landlord. Once the demand is made, the tenant pays their rent directly to the lender, who then applies the funds to the defaulted loan. These are both great pre-litigation options, with advantages over the first two enforcement methods since actual possession can be difficult to obtain and courts move slowly with high costs to litigate. The written demands require a specific form to follow called the “Demand To Pay Rent to Party Other Than Landlord”, as found at CA Civil Code §2938(k). There are other notice requirements to be followed here, so it is essential to consult with an experienced attorney if you are considering either of these options. California Civil Code §2938 specifically provides that none of the four enforcement methods violate California’s One Action Rule nor the Anti-Deficiency Rule, so lenders can confidently enforce their AORs using the above methods with peace of mind that they are not violating other California laws.

Whether you are looking to originate a new loan, or you are facing a default by your borrower, understanding what an Assignment of Rents is and how it operates can be extremely beneficial. Enforcing an AOR can be an easier option than foreclosure and can help promote a good relationship with your borrower when handled correctly. If you have any questions about AORs, or need further details on how to enforce them, Geraci is here to help.

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Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement, and Fixture Filing (Pro-Lender Short Form) (With Loan Agreement) (TX) | Practical Law

Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement, and Fixture Filing (Pro-Lender Short Form) (With Loan Agreement) (TX)

Practical law standard document w-007-1336  (approx. 71 pages).

Deed of Trust, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement, and Fixture Filing (Pro-Lender) (Without Loan Agreement) (CA)

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Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement, and Fixture Filing (PA)

This [Leasehold] Mortgage, Assignment of Leases and Rents, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing ("Mortgage") may be used in a commercial acquisition loan transaction in Pennsylvania to secure the payment of indebtedness and obligations of borrower under the loan by granting an interest to the lender in borrower's real property. The template may be used to secure borrower's leasehold interest in real property by inserting the bracketed terms throughout the Mortgage. This template includes practical guidance, drafting notes, alternate clauses, and optional clauses. The mortgage should be recorded in recorder's office of the county where the real property is located. Local counsel should be consulted for the correct formatting and filing requirements as they may vary by county. For more on recording a mortgage in Pennsylvania, see Recording Procedures (PA).

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