Who is responsible for delinquent taxes on purchased property?

Question

My son bought this property, a manufactured home attached on a full basement. He pays the real estate taxes for the property. Recently he received a bill from the county treasurer for delinquent personal property taxes on the manufactured home for the last previous 7 years. The bill has the names of the previous owners on it C/O my son's name. Turns out the title is still under their name and was never transfered from personal property to real estate property when the home was attached to the full basement foundation. In order to get this title transfered to real property the delinquent taxes have to be paid first. My question is who is responsible to pay these taxes

Answer 1

Contact the closing agent or attorney who handled the sale.

Answer 2

If you buy real estate then you are assuming any tax liabilities associated with the property unless the contract says otherwise.  As a practical matter the former owners likely have no incentive to pay the back taxes now, so if you want a clear title it appears the tax burden is yours.  No, it's not fair, but the local gov't holds the land as collateral for the old taxes and usually will not release until they get their money.

Answer 3

You son is responsible. He bought the bill.

But this is what title insurance is for. Did he buy it through a Realtor? Title insurance is standard. Contact the Realtor for the claim.

Answer 4

The property is responsible.  If your son wants to keep it, he will have to take care of the taxes. This should have been taken care of as part of an escrow transfering title.