Advice on Tax Sale remodel / rental in Alabama

[Devon Daniels]

I won a home during the 2019 tax sale in AL. The house was pretty run-down and I have completed the reno. The previous owner occupant contacted me asking to rent it after it was finished. I am obviously leery about allowing that to happen being that 1. They allowed their family home to become run down and 2. If I allow them to rent it and they refuse to pay rent, the legal quagmire that would ensue. Would you ask they sign a quitclaim before they rent or offer some kind of deal?

[Denise Evans]

If they'll quitclaim it to you, that's worth taking the risk. Be sure to get a title commitment first and see if there are any liens against the property.  If you take a quitclaim when all you have is a tax certificate, the liens all re-attach to the property. If you take a quitclaim after you have a tax deed, the liens stay off (assuming you've sent your redemption notices) and the title stays "laundered."