unsecured property tax

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boomboomroom

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Hello, I thought that I posted it here to get people's opinions.

So basically my previous owner of my house did not pay the unsecured property tax billed to him. Would this have any effects on the house e.g. lien or penalty later on me?
 
boomboomroom said:
Hello, I thought that I posted it here to get people's opinions.

So basically my previous owner of my house did not pay the unsecured property tax billed to him. Would this have any effects on the house e.g. lien or penalty later on me?
Click to expand...

did you already buy the house from the previous owner?  i believe the tax bill would have been settled during the purchase.  if that was not the case, and you currently own the property and property taxes are still outstanding, the county just sends the current owner of the home the tax bill. the property taxes follow the house, not the owner of the house.
 
boomboomroom said:
Hello, I thought that I posted it here to get people's opinions.

So basically my previous owner of my house did not pay the unsecured property tax billed to him. Would this have any effects on the house e.g. lien or penalty later on me?
Click to expand...
If you purchase a home through escrow, all prior unpaid liens (including property taxes) will need to be paid up-to-date in order for the title company to issue you a clear owner's title policy.  In standard sales and REOs, these costs will come out of the seller's net proceeds.  In short sales, the buyer may have to pay for those costs.  Property taxes are prorated through escrow.  You may get a supplemental property tax bill if the purchase price was greater than the seller's assessed value or may get a refund check if the opposite is true.  I would contact your escrow company.
 
let me elaborate a bit more

so the unsecured tax was for the short period where the previous owner own the house, from march 2011 - june 2011. I purchased the house on june 2011, escrow was closed june 2011. This tax was not settled during escrow.

This unsecured tax bill was generated on 2012 and was billed directly to the previous owner. So for that period, march 2011- june 2011 where I did not own the property, would I still be responsible for the tax bill?
 
boomboomroom said:
let me elaborate a bit more

so the unsecured tax was for the short period where the previous owner own the house, from march 2011 - june 2011. I purchased the house on june 2011, escrow was closed june 2011. This tax was not settled during escrow.

This unsecured tax bill was generated on 2012 and was billed directly to the previous owner. So for that period, march 2011- june 2011 where I did not own the property, would I still be responsible for the tax bill?
Click to expand...

if the unsecured taxes from march 2011 - June 2011 are not paid, the county will eventually put a lien on the property, and currently you own the property so you would have to pay the bill. The taxes are attached to the house, not the owner of the house.  In all likelyhood, you will have to pay them and try to collect from the previous owner. Good luck with that.
 
boomboomroom said:
let me elaborate a bit more

so the unsecured tax was for the short period where the previous owner own the house, from march 2011 - june 2011. I purchased the house on june 2011, escrow was closed june 2011. This tax was not settled during escrow.

This unsecured tax bill was generated on 2012 and was billed directly to the previous owner. So for that period, march 2011- june 2011 where I did not own the property, would I still be responsible for the tax bill?
Click to expand...
Interesting...seller is responsible for it but good luck trying to get the seller to pay for it.  You'll probably have to end up paying it and might have the right to make a claim against your owner's title insurance insurance to reimburse you. 
 
yes, this is what I am afraid off.

I called the OC county office, they told me I should not be responsible for this, but then again I can not literally take their words.
 
boomboomroom said:
yes, this is what I am afraid off.

I called the OC county office, they told me I should not be responsible for this, but then again I can not literally take their words.
Click to expand...
Fact of the matter is, you will need to pay it or they will start tacking on penalties and then a lien on the home.  Contact the title company that issued your owner's title policy...you may have a valid claim.
 
Hello, so I was reading the FAQ from OC Tax website:

Unsecured Taxes: These taxes are a lien on the assessed owner of the property not the property itself, and A lien is placed against the individual for delinquent unpaid taxes.

So in this case I believe since lien it's not placed on the property and the bill was not address to me, I should be OK?

 
That is why advice you get on the Internet is worth what u pay for it.

I guess I got confused since you mentioned the taxes were related to the prior owner during march 11 to June 11.  My mistake.

Unsecured taxes are also referred to as personal property taxes. Types of properties that are assessed unsecured taxes include watercraft (such as boats or jet skis), airplanes, business personal property, business fixtures, and leased equipment - sounds like u may be ok and that is why they weren't settled during escrow.  Good luck
 
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