How to Search for Property Tax Liens

Property tax liens can come with a hefty cost.

A property tax lien is a monetary strain placed on a property to force the owner to pay delinquent taxes. A property tax lien can be applied as a first lien on the property, depending on the state in which it is located. Therefore, if the property is sold, the delinquent tax will be paid first. A property tax lien can function in two ways. It can force the owner of the property to pay the debt or it can be sold at a property auction. The buyer of the property tax lien is given a tax lien certificate and can make a profit by earning a state-regulated yield or gain title to the property if the owner fails to pay the debt within a given time.

Instructions

1. Obtain the detailed address of the property. Be specific. Know if the address is on a street, avenue, lane etc. and if the street name has any directives behind it, such as NW or SW.

2. Acquire the name of the current owner. Contact the local property assessor's office and give them the property address. You can physically go to their office, but many of them offer these services through their websites.

3. Get the property’s parcel number. The property assessor staff can give you this information after they have given you the current owner's name. You can also find this information on their website.

4. Look through the records of the property to find any property tax liens. You can now search through the property assessor’s physical records or website for the property’s tax lien information.

Tips & Warnings

• You can get the contact information for your property assessor through Statelocalgov or you can visit your local government’s website to get your property assessor’s information.

• If you come to any roadblocks, you can always enlist the help of a real estate agent or a title company.

References

• Realty Trac: Foreclosure
• Save Wealth: Tax Liens and Real Estate
• Front Door: How to Check Property Liens

Resources

• State Local Gov: Government Information