Legal Question in Real Estate Law in New Jersey

Sale of property

Our small church continues to get tax bills from our township on property we thought was sold over15 years ago. Our records show a balance of $500.00 still due us from the sale. We have made several attempts to clear this with both the buyer both in person and by mail. He says he did the paperwork. The township records show no change of ownership. The members who conducted this transaction are dead. We do not have the deed. There is now a lien on the property in the church�s name. How can we resolve this matter? We thought of sending another letter. What should say or should we not say? We would like to have an amicable resolution if possible. Thank you for your help.


Asked on 7/28/08, 2:52 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
John Corbett Corbett Law Firm LLC

Re: Sale of property

Your biggest problem is that you may have a property that you are not insuring. I am guessing that there was an understanding of an installment sale and the buyer never fully paid for the land. That would mean that you never delivered a deed (it's probably in a folder somewhere) and the buyer had nothing to record. That's why the assessor doesn't have any change of ownership. (The municipal tax bills are generated from a list that originates with the County and changed when the deed is properly recorded.)

That said, the biggest problem is the buyer's. It is because the buyer has not taken action that the problem persists. There are several ways to force the resolution of the situation depending on the details. Since you don't sound comfortable with doing land transactions yourself, you will need a lawyer to help. The buyer can probably be persuaded to pay your costs.

You should not ignore the situation. If the buyer is using the land and loses it because of the back taxes, the complications may involve you in ways that would be more costly than clearing it up now.

My firm handles matters of this type. If I can be of further help to you, call or email.

See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm

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Answered on 7/28/08, 9:28 am


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