Current through Register Vol. 54, No. 45, November 9, 2024
Section 138e.104 - Installment sales(a)Options. Payment for an agricultural conservation easement may be made in a lump sum, in installments or in another lawful manner of payment.(b)Installment sales with a payment period of 5 years or less. Installment sales in which the final payment for the easement purchase is to be made no longer than 5 years from the date the contract of sale is fully executed are subject to the following requirements:(1) Purchases may be made in the name of the Commonwealth, an eligible county or jointly by the Commonwealth and an eligible county.(2) The Department will provide the agreement of sale for purchases made in the name of the Commonwealth solely or jointly by the Commonwealth and an eligible county.(3) The installment payment terms, including the dates of payments, payment amounts and interest rate on the outstanding balance shall be negotiated between the landowner and the county board.(4) The interest rate to be paid on the outstanding balance, shall be established by the county board, and shall be stated in the agreement of sale.(c)Installment sales with a payment period of more than 5 years. Installment sales, other than those installment sales described in subsection (d), in which the final payment for the easement purchase is to be made more than 5 years from the date the contract of sale is fully executed are subject to the following provisions: (1) Purchases may be made in the name of the Commonwealth, an eligible county or jointly by the Commonwealth and an eligible county.(2) Notwithstanding the requirement of § 138e.66(d) (relating to offer of purchase by county board), the county board may, subject to approval by the Department, provide the agreement of sale for purchases made under this subsection.(3) The agreement of sale and the deed of easement shall meet the same requirements and be subject to the same conditions as set forth in § 138e.66(c) and § 138e.67 (relating to requirements of the agricultural conservation easement deed).(4) The installment payment terms, including the dates of payments, payment amounts and interest rate on the outstanding balance shall be negotiated between the landowner and the county board.(5) The interest rate paid on the outstanding balance will be established by the county board and shall be stated in the agreement of sale.(6) The State's share of the easement purchase price, exclusive of interest, shall be transferred to the county board for deposit into an irrevocable escrow account or deposit in another manner provided by law.(7) Transfer of the Commonwealth's share of the easement purchase price, exclusive of interest, according to the terms of this paragraph shall relieve the Commonwealth of any obligation to pay or assure the payment of the easement purchase price and interest.(d)Installment sales deferring the payment of principal for up to 30 years. Installment sales in which payment of principal is deferred to the end of a specific period of up to 30 years from the date the contract of sale is fully executed are subject to the following provisions: (1) Purchases may be made in the name of the Commonwealth, an eligible county or jointly by the Commonwealth and an eligible county.(2) Notwithstanding the requirement of § 138e.66(d), the county board may, subject to approval by the Department, provide the agreement of sale for purchases made under this subsection.(3) The agreement of sale and the deed of easement shall meet the same requirements and be subject to the same conditions as set forth in § § 138e.66(c) and 138e.67.(4) The installment payment terms shall be negotiated between the landowner and the county board. These terms shall include the amount of cash (if any) to be received at closing, the interest rate, the period over which interest is to be paid and the point at which principal is to be paid.(5) The landowner is responsible for the transaction costs associated with the type of purchase described in this subsection unless the county program provides otherwise.The provisions of this §138e.104 adopted December 26, 1997, effective 12/27/1997, 27 Pa.B. 6782; amended April 30, 2004, effective 5/1/2004, 34 Pa.B. 2421.