LL owes outstanding bills

[devlin]

What is the name of your state? PA

I recently moved into a house. One month later we received a notice that our water would be shut off on September 20 as the sewer bill was not paid. I called the company, the bill has not been paid at all for a year and the outstanding balance is $700. We told our landlord we would pay it and deduct it from next month's rent. My concern is that he is not paying the mortgage on the house. Is there any way for me to find out if the mortgate is behind and/or if there is a chance of foreclosure. Since living here for a month we have gotten several past due bills addressed to the LL, which we have forwarded to him, and a welfare fraud investigator stopped by to see us and wanted to know how much rent we paid...could she have a copy of the lease..etc... So, I am trying to prepare if the house is going to be foreclosed. Is there anyway to find out? Thanks.

 

[LindaP777]

I am trying to prepare if the house is going to be foreclosed. Is there anyway to find out?

County records will show who is holding the mortgage. You can try to call the bank and ask them, but they may not tell you, especially when you tell them you're not the owner.

Another worry is a tax foreclosure (should be fairly easy to find this out). If the property taxes aren't being paid, the county can foreclose as well.

 

[Ellerge]

FYI - Make sure that you get, IN WRITING, that the $700 bill you are paying is a part of your rent and that the LL gave you credit for it. Otherwise, it could be said that you did not pay that month's rent!
One way, is to get the LL to sign (next month) a written statement that your rent is now up to date and you owe nothing AND that you have a certain amount in Security Deposit. You can tell the LL that you require this paper to obtain a loan.