How to Find Out if the House You're Renting is in Foreclosure

It can be frightening to learn that the house you are renting is in foreclosure. Unfortunately, tenants are usually the last to find out and are left with little time to make new living arrangements. If you suspect your landlord is having financial difficulties, it is best to try and find out the status of the property as soon as possible. Here is how to find out if the house you're renting is in foreclosure.

Instructions

1. Ask your landlord. If confronted with the question your landlord may confess that the house you are renting is in foreclosure. Although this is the easiest way to find out, you may not get an honest answer. If the property owner denies that the home is in foreclosure but you still suspect otherwise, keep researching. Many times the home owner will not tell the tenants the true status of the property in fear that they will stop paying rent.

2. Read the public notices section in local newspapers. This is often where foreclosure notices are published. These are sometimes listed as "notice of trustee sale" or "sheriff's sale." Determine if such a notice has been published online by conducting a search for "notice of trustee sale," "sheriff's sale" or "default notice," along with the address of the property. Not all notices can be found online and in locations with a high number of foreclosures, reading through the notices can be a daunting task.

3. Check with your office of the clerk of court for the county in which you reside. This often may be done online. The clerk's office maintains records of legal documents filed for properties within the county. This includes notices of trustee sales, notices of foreclosures, default notices, liens etc.

   Search using the home owner's name or the property' s parcel number, which you may obtain by contacting the county assessor's office or searching its website.

4. Watch for signs. If you are getting mail, receiving phone calls or solicitations that hint of a pending foreclosure, it may be wise to investigate further.

Tips & Warnings

• Be suspicious of web sites and services that charge fees for finding out foreclosure information. Most of this information can be viewed for free in the form of public records.

References

• "Foreclosure Self-Defense For Dummies"; Ralph R. Roberts, et al.; 2008