This is the main menu screen for the New York City Department of Finance Fairtax Public Access System. This new computer system is a combination of the old Mortgage Deed System and the Uniform Commercial Code/Federal Tax lien system that were in use prior to 1994. This system came on line in January 1994. The public computer terminals for the Fairtax System are located at the various City Registers offices in New York City. Please note that Richmond County [Staten Island] utilizes different filing methods for their records, fully explained in Chapter 7. The Fairtax System is expansive and lets you search both real property and personal property records from the same terminal. However, unlike the old Mortgage Deed System, this system will not let you access information from other boroughs.

The following pages in this chapter contain a tutorial on how to access the information in the system and how to use the many different functions available. It is important to note the code numbers used for the boroughs [1=New York (Manhattan), 2=Bronx, 3=Kings (Brooklyn), 4=Queens].

Starting from Screen A, the "Public Access Menu", use the tab key and place an "S" next to the function you wish to access. Press enter. The top of every screen in the system will list the function you are currently using. Each function has many subfunctions, such as "party cross reference "and" document detail". Each is explained in this tutorial, but not all subfunctions are explained for each function. Please note the commands explained in one function apply to all functions. This tutorial is a brief overview of the system for the novice or intermediate user.

Function 377 (F377), Screen B, is the personal property name search function. This [Fairtax Screen B] function lets you search UCC and Federal Tax Liens by name. In this example, the name "SMITH, F" is entered (a space between the comma and first name is optional) and the "PF17" key is pressed, which is the partial spelling search. The "PF" keys are located at the top of the keyboard. The "ENTER" key will do an "exact" name search and the "PF18" key will perform a phonetic name search. Using the partial spelling search in all the name search functions in this system is recommended because you cannot be sure how the name was entered into the system, and the less information you enter, the broader and more accurate the search will be. The Borough ["Boro"] is already entered and cannot be changed. Screen C will appear listing all personal liens in the computer that meet the guidelines entered for the search (Smith, F). Screen C will display the party's full name, address, and the number of records associated with that name. The bottom of the screen will read "BOTTOM OF LIST REACHED" or the function "08-NEXT" will appear signifying more records to list. For more records, press the PF8 key.

From Screen C, you have the option of accessing records with the same name (19-NAME) or all records having the same name and address (20-NMADDR) as the one selected. Other options from this screen are to access the help function (01-HELP); cancel the search (09-CANCEL) and go back to the input screen for the function (F377) (Screen B), or end (03-END) the session.

For this example, more information is sought on the Frances G. Smith at 345 East 73 Street. To access the three records listed, type in the number "4" on the space after "NEXT FUNCTION" and press the "ENTER" key. Screen D appears listing the three UCC's listed to this Frances G. Smith. For a report from Screen C, press (PF16).

On Screen D, more detail is sought for the lien listed on line 3. In order to view this information, enter "3" on the "NEXT FUNCTION" line and press return. Screen E will appear. From Screen D, you can go back to the previous screen by pressing PF15-(NAMEREP) or print a report with the PF16 key.

Screen E lists all lien information. Notice the right column of fields: "PARCELS XREFD; PARTIES XREFD; and DOCS XREFD". These fields are a source of more information. The three parties listed for the lien are at the bottom of the screen and two other documents are cross referenced (XREFD).

By pressing (24-DOCXREF) [PF24], Screen F will appear listing the cross referenced document. A report [PF16] can be printed from either Screen E or Screen F. It is useful to print as you go along.

Function 305 (F305) lets you search personal property records by file number. Screen G enters the UCC lien number 93PN13062. The ENTER key is pressed and Screen H will appear.

Screen H lists all the information relating to the UCC lien. Note this is the same screen that appears when selecting a specific document using function 377 at Screen E. From Screen H is demonstrated the "parties cross referenced function". Select line "1" as entered, and pressed PF23.

Screen I lists all the information about the party(s) associated with the document. On the bottom of Screen H, there were three parties listed. You may look at the party detail of any of the parties by entering the line number corresponding to it.

Function 376 (F376) is an "as of inquiry". It lists to what date the computer is current with the filing of the various real estate and personal documents. You cannot enter any information. Screen J will appear when you access the function (F376) from the main menu.

Function 379 (F379) allows the search of real and personal property records by block and lot number. The search can be limited to only real property records or to personal property records by entering a "P" or "R" in the "REAL/PERSONAL" field. The computer will search both types if the field is left blank. This field was left blank in this example. Screen L will appear, after the Enter key is pressed. Screen L lists all the documents relating to the block and lot entered. From Screen L, one can obtain all the information about any of the documents listed. Just enter the line number and press "ENTER". In this example, Line 1 was used. Screen M will appear.

Screen M lists all the information about the document selected. From Screen M, you can then access information about the three different parties listed by using the PF23 function. A report can be printed from this screen, but the printout wonąt list more information than the report from Screen L.

*Screen N is an example of a personal property lien recorded to a block and lot. This screen is for example purposes only and does not relate to the other screens in this function with block 1200 lot 15.

Function 378 (F378) is the real property name search function. This function lets you search real property records by name. In this example, the name "SMITH, JOHN" is entered; the "PF17" key is used which is the partial spelling search. Screen P will appear listing the party name and address associated with the document along with the total number of records. From Screen P you can select just a name or select a name and address. Line "1" was selected for "JOHN B. SMITH at 20 BROOME STREET".

Screen Q lists the one document associated with "JOHN B.SMITH". In order to see more information about this document, enter "1" in the "NEXT FUNCTION" field and press return. Screen R will appear listing the different parties involved. To see more information about the parties involved, enter the corresponding line number on the "NEXT FUNCTION" field and press return. On Screen R, "4" parties are mentioned to be cross referenced, but only three are listed. In order to see the fourth name, press "08-NEXT" key, [the PF8 key] and the fourth name will appear.

Function 304 (F304) allows property records to be accessed by reel and page. On Screen S, the reel "1106" and page "846" was entered and the "ENTER" key was pressed. Screen T will appear.

Screen T lists all the information relating to this deed. Note this is the same screen that appears when selecting a specific document using function 378 [See Screen R]. The same report can be printed from either of these two screens.