Legal Question in Real Estate Law in California

Adverse Possession

If your mortgage lender makes the property taxes on your home for 5 consecutive years can your mortgage holder claim adverse possession of your property?


Asked on 5/12/08, 7:09 pm

4 Answers from Attorneys

Carl Starrett Law Offices of Carl H. Starrett II

Re: Adverse Possession

Payment of property taxes is only 1 of 5 elements that must be proven in order to claim title by adverse possession:

1) Possession must be held either under a claim of right or color of title;

2) Possession must be actual, open, and notorious occupation of the property in such a manner as to constitute reasonable notice of that occupation to the record owner;

3) The occupation must be both exclusive and hostile to the title of the true owner;

4) Possession must be continuous and uninterrupted for at least five years; and

5) The occupier must pay all taxes assessed against the property during such five-year period.

It would make no sense for a lender to claim title by adverse possession. The lender could simply foreclose for nonpayment paymenton the note/deed of trust. Property taxes are superior even to a first deed of trust, so many lenders will pay the propert taxes if the owner fails to do so and add it to the loan balance.

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Answered on 5/12/08, 7:26 pm
Mitchell Roth MW Roth, Professional Law Corporation

Re: Adverse Possession

No.

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Answered on 5/13/08, 12:46 am
Mitchell Roth MW Roth, Professional Law Corporation

Re: Adverse Possession

No.

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Answered on 5/13/08, 12:46 am
Mitchell Roth MW Roth, Professional Law Corporation

Re: Adverse Possession

No.

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Answered on 5/13/08, 12:47 am


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