Tenants boat tax is being held on my property

[Megan Elliott]

I am under contract to sell one of my rental properties and found out this morning my tenant in 2015 didn't pay his personal property tax on his boat, which is now being held against my property.  The lawyer said I will have to pay it prior to the sale.  I had no knowledge about this until this morning.  I was using a property manager at the time and they never mentioned anything, but I don't think they would have known or are responsible.  Has anyone else experienced anything like this?  I am likely going to pay it, but any recommendations on how to prevent it in the future would be great!

[JD Martin]

Unless you are talking about a very small amount of money I would probably challenge it on notification & due process grounds. NC does have personal property tax, but I am unaware of anything that allows them to place a lien on property in which the taxpayer does not have an interest. A renter has no right of equity in a rental property, only right of use.