The filing of the certificate in the registry of deeds is deemed to create, and creates, a mortgage on the real estate described in the certificate to the district that has priority over all other mortgages, liens, attachments and encumbrances of any nature, except liens, attachments and claims for taxes. The mortgage gives the district all the rights usually possessed by mortgagees, except that the district as mortgagee does not have any right to possession of the real estate until the right of redemption provided for has expired. If the mortgage, together with interest and costs, is not paid within 18 months after the date of filing of the certificate in the registry of deeds as provided, the mortgage is deemed to have been foreclosed and the right of redemption to have expired. The filing of the certificate in the registry of deeds is sufficient notice of the existence of the mortgage provided for. If the rate, toll, rent, impact fee, entrance charge or other charge, with interest and costs, is paid within the period of redemption provided for, the treasurer of the district shall discharge the mortgage in the same manner as provided for the discharge of real estate mortgages.

The costs to be paid by the owner of the real estate served is the sum of the fees for receiving, recording and indexing the lien, or its discharge, as established by the Maine Revised Statutes, Title 33, section 751, plus $13, plus all certified mail, return receipt requested, fees.

The treasurer of the district shall notify the party named on the sewer lien mortgage and each record holder of a mortgage on the real estate not more than 45 days or less than 30 days before the foreclosing date of the sewer lien mortgage in a notice signed by the treasurer or bearing the treasurer's facsimile signature. The notice of the impending automatic foreclosure indicating the exact date of foreclosure must be left at the holder's last and usual place of abode or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the holder's last known address.