Tax Grumpage

[TheSpecialist]

Well I was going through my closing documents from when I first bought the house, and there is a line on the settlement that says the seller paid 1,652 in RE Taxes. There is a separate paper that says same, and a piece of paper from the town saying that is what was due.

As far as my attourney, all the documents at the closing were in order, and he did his job. The attourney is not going to stop at the closing and call every individual to find out if the seller paid up.

There is a different guy that is the tax collector now then there was back in 03. He told my wife today to bring in the settlement sheet, and any thing else we have, and we will go over it. I still can't fathom how people who have been doing the job for awhile, can make such blatant errors.

Larry I was thinking of calling the town manager, and selectmen and asking when the last time the tax dept had an independent audit done on them...

[spence]

Originally Posted by TheSpecialist

Larry I was thinking of calling the town manager, and selectmen and asking when the last time the tax dept had an independent audit done on them...

That could be a good plan. Given the local politics I'd think this matter could vanish if the right people were to be embarrased

Worst case you paid what's owed, but the interest...not.

-spence

[BigFish]

BINGO!

[nightfighter]

Bill,
I would request the seller provide you with proof of payment of the taxes, something other than the letter, ie. cancelled check, or letter of settlement from the town.
I would "suggest" to the mortgage company, on your attorney's letterhead, that they should be liable for penalties and interest. They should also provide a copy of the letter which should have come with the escrow check, instructing you what the check represented, and what your responsibilities were to do with said funds.
Further, I would also be asking the mortgage company and attorney to refund any and all closing costs and points you paid, given the inept service, which you are forced to be dealing with four years after closing. Keep a record of hours you have spent trying to rectify this mess and bill them at a consultants rate of , say 150.00 per hour. And lastly, document everything.
They will all try to pass it off....if they are threatened with having to write a check, someone will find the responsible party and get it resolved. Keep your cool in discussions an let them know that you are going to see this through.

[gone fishin]

Originally Posted by nightfighter

Bill,
I would request the seller provide you with proof of payment of the taxes, something other than the letter, ie. cancelled check, or letter of settlement from the town.
I would "suggest" to the mortgage company, on your attorney's letterhead, that they should be liable for penalties and interest. They should also provide a copy of the letter which should have come with the escrow check, instructing you what the check represented, and what your responsibilities were to do with said funds.
Further, I would also be asking the mortgage company and attorney to refund any and all closing costs and points you paid, given the inept service, which you are forced to be dealing with four years after closing. Keep a record of hours you have spent trying to rectify this mess and bill them at a consultants rate of , say 150.00 per hour. And lastly, document everything.
They will all try to pass it off....if they are threatened with having to write a check, someone will find the responsible party and get it resolved. Keep your cool in discussions an let them know that you are going to see this through.

I repeat - what the hell was your attourney doing if he said "everything is in order" If I am not mistaken it is his job to be sure that this does not happen. Perhaps he was a little lax?? Ask him for a free review of your problem. He should be happy to follow up on his work.