Who is responsible for delinquent 2005 property taxes, the new owner or the owner in 2005?

Question

I recently purchased a 2.5 bedroom condo in Dec 2006, I just received a letter saying that for thr tax year 2005 I am delinquent for $3225.68 property tax, am I the one supposed to pay that even though I recently acquired the condo? Please I need advice .

Answer 1

Requirement at closing would be taxes be paid current and pro rated for each person's share. Closing company if there were one would make sure taxes were paid. I'm assuming your taxes are paid on a current year basis and not a fiscal year or a year behind (05 due in 06).

I'd start with the atty or company who closed the sale; and check the HUD statement you were given to see if anyone specifically was charged for the taxes there.

Ultimatly the responsibility will be yours to make sure it gets paid; the lien on the property for delinquent taxes will be agains the current owner; you. Might also check to see if you bought an owner's title policy; might help put some of the responsibility to resolve on the title company

Answer 2

If this was a normal sale (not auction, etc) you were likely paid the taxes by the seller at closing. Look at your closing statement. If you cannot find it, call the closing agent (person that performed the closing). Also, if you purchased title insurance, a title search was done and old tax issues should have been found. If the seller really never paid the old taxes (or you for them) then discuss with the title company and your title insurance policy should cover these. If you have a loan on the property, then you have a title insurance policy.

In any case, you are the owner now and responsibly for outstanding taxes. If you do not get satisfaction from the above suggestions, consider talking with a real estate attorney.

Answer 3

This should have been picked up in the title search, and charged to the owner as part of closing expenses.

If you had an attorney at closing, contact that person.

Good luck. The previous owner should pay the back amount. If if doesn't get straightened out though, you're responsible for the amount.

Answer 4

you do not owe the antisocial supplies taxes with the aid of previous proprietor. you will desire to turn the bill over to the financial business enterprise. while the financial business enterprise foreclosed, the financial business enterprise would desire to have notice of the antisocial taxes. i'm greatly surprised that the call of the living house have been given transferred with none point out of the antisocial supplies taxes. it is not your project however the financial business enterprise's on the grounds that they grew to grow to be the recent proprietor of the living house you purchased from. it would be prudent which you write a letter to the rustic assessor's place of work with a replica of the antisocial bill related explaining appropriate to the info and which you had became the bill over to the financial business enterprise.