Bought nice repo in Wisconsin

[Duane]

I recently bought a very nice repo in Wisconsin and was told by the mortgage company that there were back lot rent due of about 1500 that needed to be paid. I paid it and many other fees like late rent fees, garbage and perosnal property taxes past due, which didi amount to about that price. I already own an older mobile in Wisconsin and bought this newer one at a VERY reasonable price, and it was in extremely good condition. The new home seemed to be basically held for ranson from the park until the back fees were paid. I did not want to argue and jeapordize loosing it or having problems when I came to move it out as I was on a very tight time schedule, so I paid the fees just to get the home out. Now that I have it at my plot of land I own, I am wondering if I can ripped off. I know Wisconsin property taxes are not tied as liens on a mobile home, and they are supposed to go with the owners personally, and not the home. I can , perhaps understand back rent, but late fees and garbage fees when no one lived there is a question. The people left several months earlier.
Do I have any recourse on attempting to get some of these fees I paid back, and where should I start? Who can I ask?
These are the questions?
1) Am I liable or forced to pay the past due monthly installment the park collected for personal propert tax that the prior owners did not pay ?
2) Am I really liable for past lot rent and late fees or that amount for monthly installments?
3) Garbage pickup fee when no one lived there?
Again, don't get me wrong, I got a very nice repo and know what back fees the mortgage company told me may be due, and would do it all over again in a heart beat, but I am wondering if the park used me to get their money back when I was not responsible leaglly for it, and what if anything I can do now, assuming I want to persue the matter.
Thanks

[Scheria]

Duane,

It sounds like the mortgage comapny duped you. I am no exper,t but its my understanding that the tenant was tied to all those fees...not the new buyer! See if your local you local Better Business Breau can be of help. If not maybe they can point you in the direction of someone who can.

May I ask how you found the repo deal? I am looking for repos available in Northern California.

Scheria

[David Oxhandler]

When you purchase a repo, most of the time, you buy it "where is, as is". You are taking over the finance company's position in the home. The original owners agreement with the finance company has nothing to do with the commitment made to the landlord. Depending on state law and the contract that was signed between the original owner and the park, before you remove the home from the park you may have to pay back lot rent, late fees, taxes and penalties.

This can be quiet expensive and the landlord may very well be entitled to recover the rent agreed on with the original owner for every day the home sits on his land. Prior to committing to purchase you must investigate all the possible expenses and should have a good understanding of your state and local landlord/tenant laws. In many state there is an extensive body of law governing the relationship between MH Community operators and their residence.

Once you get past all of that, it is your responsibility to get the home moved to your location and to install it according to your states installation code. If the home has hidden problems, is damaged in transport, or is refused permits by your local permit authorities the headaches and expenses are yours.

You can get some excellent buys on repos, but unless you are an experienced buyer with renovation and installation abilities it is very possible that the expenses involved in converting that repo into your residence could be a very unpleasant surprise, and even exceed the cost of a new home.

If you want a good buy on a pre-owned home shop your market for a licensed dealer who is specializing in re-marketing finance company homes. You can often save quiet a bit of money and you will have the benefit of a licensed, bonded professional to manage the conversion of the banks problem to your bargain.

[rmurray]

You ae lucky indeed. At least the mortgage company disclosed these liabilities...They must have been legit and ythe mortgage company knew that.....Your beef would have been with them..the time to refuse to pay would have been when negotiating with the mortgage company...I doubt you will be able to recover anything...Move on and enjoy your bargain....Good Luck..

[Duane]

Much thanks to all who posted. It is appreciated !!

[Bill]

In Texas, the landlord tenant laws say that landlord can send the lender a notice of Landlord's Possessory Lien when a renter gets behind in his/her lot rent; if the lender does not remove the home within 15 days from receipt of the certified notice, the lender becomes responsible for the lot rent and other normal expenses.

If Wisconsin has a comparable law, it makes sense that the lender struck a deal with you that included any expenses it was obligated to pay as a result of the landlord sending the lender a similar letter.

[Robin]

I made the mistake once of forcing someone to pay all those back monies. Only to find out later that legally I couldn't.

You really should check this out to see if it was legal. We had been doing that for years only to find out it was not legal. However, most people don't ever question it.

Good luck!

Robin