Priority of Lien

(a)All sums assessed by the association of apartment owners but unpaid for the share of the common expenses chargeable to any apartment constitute a lien on the apartment prior to all other liens, except only

(l)liens for a taxes and assessments lawfully imposed by governmental authority against the apartment, and

(2)all sums unpaid on mortgages of record. The lien may be foreclosed by suit by the manager or Board of Directors, acting on behalf of the apartment owners, in like manner as a mortgage of real property. In any such foreclosure the apartment owner shall be required to pay a reasonable rental for the apartment, if so provided in the bylaws, and the plaintiff in the foreclosure shall be entitled to the appointment of a receiver to collect the same. The manager or Board of COL070307 CH. 45 HORIZONTAL PROPERTY ACT Directors, acting on behalf of the apartment owners, may, unless prohibited by the declaration, bid on the apartment at foreclosure sale, and acquire and hold, lease, mortgage, and convey the same. Suit to recover a money judgment for unpaid common expense shall be maintainable without foreclosing or waiving the lien securing the same.

(b)Where the mortgagee of a mortgage of record or other purchaser of an apartment obtains title to the apartment as a result of foreclosure of the mortgage, the acquirer of title, his successors and assigns shall not be liable for the share of the common expenses of assessments by the association of apartment owners chargeable to the apartment which became due prior to the acquisition of title to the apartment by the acquirer. The unpaid share of common expenses or assessments shall be deemed to be common expenses collectible from all of the apartment owners, including the acquirer, his successors and assigns.