A foreclosure lawsuit has just been filed in New Jersey Superior Court against Lakewood developer Tovia (Thomas) Rosenberg in connection with a duplex home at 432 Kiryas Sanz Avenue in the Oak and Vine neighborhood, FAA News has learned.
The lawsuit alleges that Mr. Rosenberg has defaulted by non-payment of a $450,000 mortgage.
In addition, Mr. Rosenberg transferred the property to Mikvah Tehara South Lakewood Inc - in violation of the commercial mortgage agreement - thus causing an immediate default of the mortgage, which permits the lender to now seek to seize and sell the property, and to collect a much higher interest rate.
The Complaint was filed by Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB, as Trustee for Normandy Capital Trust.
According to the lawsuit:
On December 5, 2019, Tovia Rosenberg received a $450,000 commercial mortgage loan from ICE Lender Holdings LLC.
The purpose of this loan was to finance 432 Kiryas Sanz Avenue.
Interest on the loan was to be paid each month beginning on February 1, 2020, with the principal amount to become due and payable on January 1, 2021. Interest accrued at a rate of 8.00% per annum, on the basis of a 360-day year.
On January 18, 2023, as the mortgage was still not paid up, Mr. Rosenberg extended the loan to March 1, 2023. This extension raised the Interest Rate to 12.25% per annum, on the basis of a 360-day year.
On this extended deadline, the original principal amount of $450,000 was to be paid - yet, this entire amount is still owed, thus the mortgage has been defaulted upon.
In addition, the mortgage company is alleging that they have a valid reason to impose a much higher interest rate, as will be explained below.
As security for this construction loan, Mr. Rosenberg agreed to place the property as collateral (i.e., if he defaults on the loan, he will lose the property).
The mortgage includes a clause that says that the proceeds from the loan are to be used solely for business and commercial purposes and not for any personal, family, household or other noncommercial or farming or agricultural purposes.
Additionally, the mortgage agreement stipulates that if the borrower vests, sells, transfers, or conveys the property to anyone else, it shall be deemed an Event of Default.
The mortgage agreement includes a stipulation that if the borrower fails to make any payment within 5 days that such payment is due, such failure shall constitute an Event of Default. Furthermore, if any payment is not paid within five 5 days from the date such payment is due, the borrower shall pay an Exit Fee in an amount equal to 10% of any missed payment under the Note.
In case of default, the lender is entitled to impose the default rate of interest on the outstanding principal balance owed, calculated at a rate equal to the lesser of the maximum rate permitted by applicable law or 23% per annum above the interest rate (the “Default Rate”).
On December 23, 2021, Mr. Rosenberg transferred the property to Mikvah Tehara South Lakewood Inc - in violation of the mortgage agreement which prohibits transferring the property to anyone else.
Mikvah Tehara South Lakewood Inc has an office located at 39 Havens Avenue in Lakewood. This is the address of the Sanz Klausenberg Beis Medrash.
By transferring the property to Mikvah Tehara South Lakewood Inc on December 23, 2021, the loan was defaulted upon, and therefore the higher interest rate of 23% should be added as of that date.
According to the bank, an additional issue is that by the time he extended the mortgage(January 18, 2023), Mr. Rosenberg had already transferred the property to Mikvah Tehara South Lakewood Inc.
The mortgage agreement provides that the borrower is liable for all costs incurred for collecting, securing or attempting to collect or secure any amounts due including reasonable attorneys’ fees and other costs incurred by the lender together with interest thereon.
The plaintiff, Normandy Capital Trust therefore demands judgment:
(i) fixing the amount due
(ii) barring and foreclosing the borrower of all equity of redemption in and to the Mortgaged Premises;
(iii) directing that they be paid the amount due, with interest, advances, costs of suit and attorneys’ fees;
(iv) adjudging that the Mortgaged Premises be sold according to law and free and clear of any interest the borrower might assert in the Mortgaged Premises to satisfy the amount due to them;
(v) appointing a receiver of the rents, issues and profits of the Mortgaged Premises; and
Additionally, because the mortgage was deemed in default already once Mr. Rosenberg transferred the property to Mikvah Tehara South Lakewood Inc, pursuant to the mortgage agreement, the lender is seeking judgement:
(i) for possession of the Mortgaged Premises, on behalf of itself or the purchaser at the Sheriff’s Sale;
(ii) for damages for mesne profits; and
(iii) for such other and further relief which this Court may deem just and equitable.
The Complaint was filed by New York Attorney Aaron Davis, Esq.
In addition to filing a foreclosure lawsuit in Superior Court, the lender also filed a Notice of Lis Pendens with the Ocean County Clerk. This filing warns potential buyers of the property that a foreclosure action has been filed.
432 Kiryas Sanz Avenue now contains a duplex home with a finished basement.
Mr. Rosenberg has not yet answered the lawsuit.
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2 comments:
Is this the same Rosenberg that Menashe Miller hosted a sheva berachos for, this past week as was pictured in the Lakewood Shooper?
Was the purpose of transferring the deed to the Mikvah so that he could then sell the house without needing to pay realty taxes?
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