Landlord has lost the house and I wasn't notified

[Kenya Randall]

I have lived in the same rental property since 1995. I was recently informed that the house I am living in is in possession of the State of Michigan due to back taxes. The house was taken back from the landlord May 5, 1998. My question now is what do I do as a renter and will I be able to recover any of the rent that I have paid since 1998. I have no information as to the amount of time that the landlord had possission of this information, but the only way that I found out is because I kept receiving back taxes letters to my address and I called the city and they informed me to call the state because there was a state code next to my address on the computer. I called the state and that is when they informed me that they had possession of the house and that I should be putting my rent in the bank until she can prove that she has paid $12,000 in back taxes to me. I just need to know what my rights are as a renter.

Could someone please help me???????

 

[lawrat]

I am a law school graduate. What I offer is mere information, not to be construed as forming an attorney client relationship.

You have been paying rent and to the wrong person-- but you have been paying. You would have to pay rent anyway to stay there. Soooo....state will have to go after the previous owner for that money you gave her. Just keep all of your receipts up to the time you found out about the real situation. Then, just pay it to the new owner, writing on the check as per the letters you have received (and keep those records)

 

[djdj]

You can contaact YOUR bank and get copies of the last 2 years of YOUR bank statements to prove you paid the rent.

I would also start thinking of packing and maybe selling your stuff you dont need to raise some cash on http://www.ebay.com

Just in case the bank decides to give you a 30 day notice to vacate, thats all you would have anyway with no lease.

The bank would want to sell the house empty.