Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Maryland
Paying property tax to own property
Can a person take ownership of jointly owned property just by paying the property tax for 5 years? This person lives in the home (no mortgage) on the property and has been paying the taxes solely for 5 years.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: Paying property tax to own property
While paying the taxes doesn't entitle you to a greater interest in the property, you may be entitled to a greater interest if you want to force a sale of the property. To do this, you would file a partition action in court. A real estate attorney can help you with this. If you want to keep the property, you might try negotiating a purchase from the co-owner.
Re: Paying property tax to own property
No. The other party still has a claim on the title. This is an issue that would have to be cleared especially if the current occupier is considering a sale.