# Possible to go after previous owner for back property taxes

**URL:** <https://community.propertyradar.com/t/possible-to-go-after-previous-owner-for-back-property-taxes/2130>\
**Category:** Foreclosure Investing\
**Created:** [March 30, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://community.propertyradar.com/t/possible-to-go-after-previous-owner-for-back-property-taxes/2130 "2011-03-30T13:12:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Tom1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@Tom1](https://community.propertyradar.com/u/Tom1)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 1:12pm UTC](https://community.propertyradar.com/t/possible-to-go-after-previous-owner-for-back-property-taxes/2130/1 "2011-03-30T13:12:43Z")

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Hello,

I know that the new owner is responsible to pay all current and past property taxes when they buy a property at auction, but I was wondering if it is possible to try to collect money from the previous owner for the property taxes they didn’t pay while living/owning the house. I know it’s probably not likely to get any money from the previous owner for this, but I was just wondering if it is an option.

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**Author:** ![idannyb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/96bed5/32.png) [@idannyb](https://community.propertyradar.com/u/idannyb)\
**Post date:** [March 30, 2011, 9:20pm UTC](https://community.propertyradar.com/t/possible-to-go-after-previous-owner-for-back-property-taxes/2130/2 "2011-03-30T21:20:03Z")

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You can always ask (wear a flack jacket) … but post foreclosure, there is probably “none chance” of getting a previous owner to pay back taxes on the property he/she formerly owned. A previous owner may face some deficiency liabilities on his/her now defaulted loans, but property taxes follow the property … and after a “steps” (trustees sale) sale the county will “collect” from the new owner.

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**Author:** ![Tom1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b487fb/32.png) [@Tom1](https://community.propertyradar.com/u/Tom1)\
**Post date:** [April 4, 2011, 10:35pm UTC](https://community.propertyradar.com/t/possible-to-go-after-previous-owner-for-back-property-taxes/2130/3 "2011-04-04T22:35:22Z")

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Thanks for your answer Danny. I really appreciate it.