Final bid was $5,500, and I figure the total taxes owed are around $5,000 including court fees and interest.I'm kicking myself because, in hindsight, I see I didn't completely understand the process.

If they deny the incident entirely, then I would get a copy of the police report and use that as justification to send that lease violation notice and include a copy of the report so that they know they can't get away with lying to you.

Including Hurricane, Ivins and neighboring cities.

Me included.

So, for those utilities its usually better to either include them in the rent (if they are flat fee) or possibly to bill them back (if based on usage).

(assuming I still want to buy as is)A sternly worded letter from an attorney advising that the buyer intends to pursue all available remedies (including recovering all costs and expense incurred in enforcing the contract, if it provides for that) tends to help most sellers understand the reality of what they agreed to.If the contract isn’t bulletproof this is when the buyer makes that unfortunate discovery.

Not presenting is another.

@Yasmin Sharbaf if it’s not new construction, your agent would usually have shown you current tax records including what they list as square footage, especially if that was a known concern of yours.

. - We’ve also inspected the roof / parapet wall, but don’t think those are the culprit because the issue presents itself on the 2nd story, not the 3rd story that’s immediately below the roof. - Plumbing issues have been ruled out.

My screening criteria are out of date, and the laws have changed quite a bit since I last used them, but I'm also curious to learn what others include.