How to Find Out What Is Owed on a Property

You don't have to raid someone's personal property to fsee if they have property-related debts.

Personal financial information, such as how much money a homeowner owes on their mortgage, is a confidential matter that, in many cases, is exempt from state and federal Freedom of Information laws. However, governments and state and federal courts maintain several types of public records that can give you an indication of how much money someone owes on a property if debts are unpaid. Income tax information is exempt from Freedom of Information Laws, but property tax information is not, according to Privacy Rights Clearinghouse.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access or access to district bankruptcy court

Instructions

1. Visit the local tax collector/chamberlain's office to ask whether taxes on a property are current. They can provide the annual municipal property tax totals on a parcel and tell you if any money is still owed. Freedom of Information laws entitle you to the same information for school and county taxes, even if you are inquiring about someone else's property. Governing entities can foreclose on or take title to properties due to unpaid taxes. Starting bids at foreclosure or sheriff's auctions may be set at the amount of back taxes owed.

2. Check the Uniform Commercial Code listings, either by accessing a state's department of state website or visiting the local county clerk's office. UCC filings can include liens on a property and some information on debts, loans and transactions, though in most cases the matters are related to business and not personal financial information.

3. Look through U.S. Bankruptcy Court records. When a proceeding starts, the file on a person could include documents from creditors and others who are owed money, including banks and mortgage companies. Bankruptcy court records can be found at the PACER (Public Access to Court Electronic Records) site maintained by the federal judiciary.

References

• Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: From Cradle to Grave: Government Records and Your Privacy

Resources

• Administrative Offices of the U.S. Courts: Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)