Vermont § 1323 - Priority of lien

§ 1323. Priority of lien

• (a) All sums assessed by the association of owners but unpaid for the share of the common
  expenses chargeable to any apartment or site shall constitute a lien on that apartment
  or site prior to all other liens except only (i) tax liens on the apartment or site
  in favor of any assessing unit and special district, (ii) all sums unpaid on a first
  mortgage of record, and (iii) mechanic’s liens. The lien may be foreclosed by suit
  by the manager or board of directors, acting on behalf of the apartment or site owners,
  in like manner as a mortgage on real property. In any foreclosure the apartment or
  site owner shall be required to pay a reasonable rental for the apartment or site,
  if so provided in the bylaws, and the plaintiff shall be entitled to the appointment
  of a receiver to collect it. The manager or board of directors, acting on behalf of
  the apartment or site owners, may, unless prohibited by the declaration, bid on the
  apartment or site at foreclosure sale, and acquire and hold, lease, mortgage and convey
  the same. Suit to recover a money judgment for unpaid common expenses shall be maintainable
  without foreclosing or waiving the lien securing the same. (b) Where the mortgagee of a first mortgage of record or other purchaser of an apartment
  or site obtains title to the apartment or site as a result of foreclosure of the first
  mortgage, the acquirer of title, his or her successors and assigns, shall not be liable
  for the share of the common expenses or assessments by the association of owners chargeable
  to the mortgagor which became due before the acquisition of title to the apartment
  or site by the acquirer. The unpaid share of common expenses or assessments shall
  be considered common expenses collectible from all of the apartment or site owners
  including the acquirer, his or her successors and assigns. (Added 1967, No. 228 (Adj. Sess.), § 23, eff. Jan. 23, 1968; amended 1993, No. 97, § 2.)