Help needed! Liens after tax sale

[Ronald Wacker]

Hey,

I'm hoping to get some insight on a complicated situation.

I bought a flip in New Orleans, LA. We're done with the renovation, accepted a bid and are currently under contract. I was informed by the closing agent at the title company that there are liens on the property.

Now this is where it gets complicated; In 2008 the property was subject to a Tax sale. There was a tax sale deed recorded for the full 100%. In 2015 the person that won the bid during the tax sale performed a quitclaim to release his interest back to the original owner.

Between 2008 and 2015 the person that won the tax sale bid had a civil judgment and a tax lien filed against him. (These are the liens mentioned above). 

The property was sold 3 times (including my purchase) since the quitclaim. The title company that performed the title search each time is saying the liens are irrelevant because this person never held a real interest in the property because he never went through the quiet title process.

The current title company isn't so sure since the tax sale dated back to 2008 when Louisiana still gave out tax sale deeds. (the law was changed in 2009). 

I have title insurance, but I want to move forward with the current sale versus going through the lengthy process of having the title insurance company clearing this up. 

Can anyone help me out with some insight? Which title company is correct?

Thanks!