Should I move? The people who own my duplex haven't been paying their taxes.?

Question

I've been living in a duplex apartment for a little over a year. We originally signed a 12 month lease, which was up in May. Since then, we have been month-to month. I came home yesterday and there was a note on my door saying the county had seized my building for nonpayment of taxes, and that it will sell to the highest bidder. I contacted my management company and they say it will not affect me. But I'm nervous. With no lease to protect me, what's to prevent the new owners from jacking up the rent or kicking me out in favor of people who are willing to purchase the individual unit?

Answer 1

You are subject to many outcomes, depending upon who buys the property.  You might look around at places to move to " just in case ".  That way, if you have to move you can have your homework done.

You might also find out from the management company when the auction will take place, that way you have a bit of a time frame.

Hopefully your property will be purchased by an investor who wants to keep renting it.  And by checking around beforehand you will get an idea of what places are renting for.  I have rented in the past and sometimes we don't realize that rents are going up around us and we have a good deal.  You also might find a place that you like better.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Answer 2

get out of there fast, and leave, pay no rent, get going, wanna be homeless, hmm

Answer 3

You're right on in terms of your assessment of the risk. Bottom line is you have no protections or guarantees at all.

However, you are in a multi-family dwelling and, typically, investors buy those properties. No guarantees of course, but if an investor buys the property, chances are he/she will want to keep the same tenants. Believe me, I've been a landlord for 30 years, just bought a triplex and a duplex and it's a real hassle to find new tenants. Unless you're a really bad tenant I'm much better off staying with you than going through all the hassle and expense of getting you out, cleaning, repairs, advertising, finding a new tenant, and then taking the risk that the new tenant will be worse than the one I just kicked out.

As far as someone buying an individual unit, not possible unless each half of the duplex is a separate piece of real estate. They do that with turning apartments into condos but I've never heard of such a thing with duplexes unless it's really 2 homes on 2 separate tax lots just sharing a common wall and, judging from you describing your duplex as an "apartment" it sounds much too small for that.

Only you can assess whether or not the risk is acceptable. A lot depends on how much you like your current home. Your property management company is probably right but again, no guarantees. I hope all works out well for you.

Have you asked your property management company if you can renew  or extend your lease?

Answer 4

The owner has to be 2 full years behind in property tax payments for the notice to be posted.  That is very bad news.  What other bills aren't they paying?  I would not want to live there.

Answer 5

Have you considered purchasing the property for yourself? Often the county will put the property up for a sheriff sale and no one is present to bid. At that point the property will be taken back by the bank if there is a mortgage on it. If the owners have a small amount in liens you might be able to assume the lien, pay the property taxes and kick out your landlord!

Answer 6

You are right, you should move.

You have no reason to stay and many reasons to move.   Just saving that commute time would be worth it, giving you more time with your son.

Answer 7

Your concerns are well-founded.  Find another place to live.