Delinquent Real Estate Taxes/Notices/Liens/Foreclosures
When a taxpayer fails to pay the entire real estate tax obligation within eight months after commitment,
by law, the tax collector will record a lien at the Hancock County
registry of Deeds.
Before the lien is recorded, the taxpayer will
receive a 30-Day Notice of Demand (A $3.00 demand fee and certified
mailing fees are added to the account). This notice conveys the
collector's intention to place a lien and gives the taxpayer a 30-day
opportunity to pay the tax.
If the tax is left unpaid, within 10 days
after the end of the 30-day period, the tax collector will record a tax
lien certificate. A copy of the lien is given to the town treasurer, to
each record holder of mortgage on the real estate, and any unassessed
record of owner. (A $36.00 processing fee is added to the account.)
The
taxpayer has an 18-month period in which to redeem the property.
If the
obligation is left unpaid, thirty to forty-five days prior to the end
of the redemption period the treasurer will notify the person named on
the tax lien, each mortgage holder, and any unassessed owner(s) of the
impending automatic foreclosure.
If the obligation is paid in full (and
all other taxes are current), a discharge of mortgage will be recorded
at the Hancock County Registry of Deeds, releasing that lien.