back taxes

[Shequann Burrwell]

I just found out that my mother and laws house that she rents taxes aren't being paid. this is on purpose. the owner doesn't want the house and is waiting for bit of land to be sold to the town for road expansion attached to the property. wants to collect the money from the town and let the house go up for taxes. he is already about a year and a half behind on the taxes. can my mother and law pay the back taxes on the home and take ownership?