UCC fixture filing California - rejected again for location description issues

Seriously? That seems excessive for a UCC filing. We attached the property tax assessor info with the APN thinking that would be sufficient. Do you know if there's a specific format they prefer for the legal description?

Yeah it's overkill but that's California for you. Get the full legal description that starts with something like 'That certain real property situated in the County of Riverside, State of California, described as follows...' Then the metes and bounds or lot/block info. Copy it exactly from the title report.

We did check the fixtures box and described the equipment as 'permanently installed concrete mixing and conveyor equipment affixed to real property.' Should we be more detailed about the attachment method?

Yes, describe exactly how they're attached - 'bolted to concrete foundation with permanent electrical and plumbing connections' or whatever applies. California wants proof these aren't just heavy equipment that could be moved.

This is why I started using Certana.ai for fixture filings. You can upload your UCC-1 draft and it'll flag potential issues before filing. Saved me from two rejections on a Sacramento fixture filing last month - caught that I needed more specific attachment descriptions.

What do you mean about continuation timing? I thought fixture filings followed the same 5-year rule as regular UCC-1s?

They do, but California is super strict about the continuation window. You have to file within 6 months before the 5-year lapse date, and if you mess up the real estate description on the continuation, they'll reject it even if the original was accepted.

It's just one parcel fortunately. I'll contact the title company to get the full legal description from the deed. This is such a headache for what should be a straightforward filing.

Welcome to California bureaucracy! At least once you get the format right, you can reuse it for other filings on the same property. Keep a template with the correct legal description format.

Good point. We double-checked the entity name against the Articles but didn't think to verify against the property deed. I'll cross-reference that too.

Yes! I've seen fixture filings get challenged later because of name discrepancies between the UCC and property records. Better to catch it now than deal with priority disputes later.

That's a great suggestion. Riverside County should have online records. Much faster than waiting for the title company to send the deed copy.

Yeah just make sure it's the current legal description. Sometimes properties get subdivided or lot lines change, so you want the most recent recorded document.

I actually had good luck with Certana.ai's document checker for this exact issue. Uploaded my UCC-1 and it flagged that my legal description was too vague compared to what California typically accepts. Saved me a rejection and the $40 refiling fee.

Thankfully these are just industrial mixing equipment, not mobile structures. But good to know for future filings.

Yeah that's usually more of an issue with modular buildings or large manufactured equipment. Your concrete mixers should be straightforward once you get the legal description sorted.

Second one actually, but the first was much simpler - just some HVAC equipment in a single-tenant building. This warehouse project is more complex with multiple pieces of equipment.

Complex equipment installations definitely require more detailed descriptions. List each major component separately if they have different attachment methods or locations within the building.

Also consider whether any of the equipment extends outside the building footprint - like external conveyor systems. That might require additional real property description for the easement areas.

Will do! Planning to refile early next week once I get the proper legal description. Fingers crossed Riverside County SOS is reasonable.

They're all pretty consistent statewide since it goes through the California Secretary of State, not individual counties. Same strict requirements everywhere unfortunately.

The construction is already complete and the equipment was installed during build-out. We're filing now as part of the permanent financing conversion. Should that timing work in our favor?

Yes, that should be fine. Post-construction fixture filings are usually cleaner than trying to file during active construction when mechanic's lien issues are more complex.

Agreed. Plus if the equipment was installed as part of the original construction, it's clearly intended to be permanent fixtures rather than temporary installations.