Florida Tax Deed Sale House Has Tenant

[Stefan K.]

So, I've been investing in tax lien certificates in Florida for a number of years and had only my second tax deed application actually make it to auction today. Being as it's been such a rare occasion, I decide to drive by the house - well, mobile home with it's own lot - this morning on the way to the auction. I know that this was an investor owned mobile so when I see a car in the driveway, I assume it's a tenant. On my drive to the auction, I start to wonder why someone would purchase a mobile for $25K in 2007 as a rental property and then not pay taxes from 2007 through 2012 and let it go to auction for just over $4K. This makes me worry that this is going to be a nightmare situation and for the first time I'm hoping that someone bids on this property and I don't end up with it.

Sure enough, no one else bid and the property is stuck to me. I spoke to one of the other investors I knew from the last time I attended the auction and he told me he had driven by and saw a scary character was living there, which made him decide not to bid on this one. He was worried that it would be a nightmare to get the person out of the house.

I would have been so pumped to get a property at auction without additional bidding. Now I'm looking for advice. What do I do from here? Do I knock on the door and find out the situation? Try to get a new lease signed? Ask nicely if he'll leave? Get a lawyer?

My goal would have been to flip this out to a cash investor for a small profit. But now I don't know what to do.

Sorry about the long story. Thanks in advanace!

[Ned Carey]

I agree with @Wayne Brooks Knock on the door and talk.

I am often amazed how I can knock on a door and say I am the new owner and tenants let me in and tell me what I want to know without really questioning if I am telling the truth.

If I don't get an answer but it appears it might be lived in I post a notice on the door. The notice says if you do not contact us within 5 days the property will be assumed to be vacant and we will change the locks. It also says do not contact your landlord they no longer own the property and cannot help you.

Not legal advice but that is what I do. Good luck - Ned