Does the winner of a tax lien need to send notice to property owner ?

Question

Saw this on a post about tax liens in Lousiana?

"In addition, after the tax sale, the Tax Purchaser must provide an additional written notice, to all of the Notice Parties, of the fact that the property has been sold to him or her at the tax sale."

Does the winner of a certain property have to send notice? Thanks

Garret Broussard · Answer

@Will Sifert  - Thanks for the wealth of info you provide here. I recently purchased a tax lien certificate in BR and I have been wondering about this. A few additional questions regarding this topic:

1) Given that it’s optional in Louisiana for a tax lien investor to notify the property owner, what are the pros and cons of choosing to do so?

2) In the event that the “owner” has been deceased for several years (10+), is the parish going to notify potential relatives/heirs at the start of the redemption period?

3) In the event that the “owner” has been deceased for several years (10+), should the tax lien investor reach out to potential relatives/heirs at the start of the redemption period or is that something to deal with 3 years down the road if nobody redeems?

Will Sifert · Answer

@William Smith

Where did you see that? You may send notice but it’s not required. However the parish is required to send post tax sale notice shortly after the tax sale and before the redemption period expires.

2022 Louisiana Laws

Revised Statutes

Title 47 - Revenue and Taxation

§47:2156. Post-sale notice

Universal Citation: LA Rev Stat § 47:2156 (2022)

RS 47:2156 - Post-sale notice

A. Within the applicable redemptive period, the tax sale purchaser may send a written notice to any or all tax sale parties notifying the parties of the sale. The notice shall provide full and accurate information necessary to contact the tax sale purchaser, including the name, physical address, and telephone number of the purchaser. It shall be accompanied by a copy of the tax sale certificate received by the tax sale purchaser under the provisions of this Part and copies of the documents that the purchaser received with that sale. The notice shall inform the tax sale parties that the failure to redeem the property prior to the expiration of the applicable redemptive period will terminate the right to redeem the property, and the purchaser will have the right to seek confirmation of the tax title and take actual possession of the property. The notice shall be sufficient if it is in the form set forth in Subsection B of this Section.

B.(1)(a) For each property for which tax sale title was sold at tax sale to a tax sale purchaser, each collector shall within thirty days of the filing of the tax sale certificate, or as soon as practical thereafter, provide written notice to the following persons that tax sale title to the property has been sold at tax sale. The notice shall be sent by postage prepaid United States mail to each tax notice party and each tax sale party whose interest would be shown on a thirty-year mortgage certificate in the name of the tax debtor and whose interest was filed prior to the filing of the tax sale certificate.

(b) For each property which tax sale title was sold at tax sale to a tax sale purchaser, the tax collector shall within ninety days of the expiration of the redemptive period provide written notice to each tax notice party that tax sale title to the property has been sold at tax sale. The notice shall be sent by first class mail. The notice shall be sufficient if it is in the form set forth in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection.

John Underwood · Answer

Every state is different and I've not heard of this,  but I would contact the tax office for that county and ask.

Some state have various requirements that have timeliness and deadlines.

I know what the law says in detail for my state. I would advise you to read the law about the specifics or consult an attorney to help you digest what the law says about noticing and any other things that are your responsibility to handle.