By Andrew Rodriguez & Tony Bertucci
Request a cash offer
Can you sell a house with back taxes in Kenner? Yes, and it happens more often than most owners expect. This Q&A is for Kenner homeowners, heirs and landlords who have fallen behind on property taxes, received a delinquency notice, or learned that a tax sale buyer now holds an interest in the property. It explains who collects which taxes, what a tax sale means for you, how the arrears get paid at closing and what to ask before you sign anything.
Call 504-920-4747 to talk through your situation, or use the form above. Our Kenner cash home buyer page has more about how we work in the city. There is no obligation to accept an offer.
Can I sell a house with back taxes in Kenner before it goes to tax sale?
Yes. Unpaid property taxes follow the property, not just the owner, so they have to be cleared for a buyer to receive good title. That is handled at closing. The closing attorney or title company orders official tax research, and the delinquent amount, including interest and penalties, is paid from the sale proceeds before you receive your share.
The City of Kenner Finance Department provides tax research certificates for an act of sale, and the parish side is checked separately. Selling before the property appears on a tax sale list keeps you from adding the extra costs that come with a sale, and it keeps the title cleaner.
Who collects property taxes on a Kenner house?
Most Kenner owners deal with two bills. The City of Kenner Finance Department bills city property taxes for property inside the city limits; those bills go out in late November or early December and are due by December 31. Jefferson Parish taxes are collected separately by the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office, which serves as the parish tax collector.
Owners fall behind for ordinary reasons. Some pay one bill and miss the other. Some paid through a mortgage escrow account for years and never got the bill once the loan was paid off. Heirs often miss notices that keep going to a deceased parent’s address, because mailing address changes and homestead exemptions are handled through the Jefferson Parish Assessor’s Office, not the tax collectors.
What happens if my Kenner property was already sold at a tax sale?
A tax sale usually does not end your ownership on the spot. According to the City of Kenner Finance Department, redemption on city taxes runs through its office for three years from the date of sale, and after that, a delinquent bill purchased by an individual has to be redeemed from that individual. Louisiana has also updated its tax sale laws in recent years, so ask the closing attorney which rules apply to your tax years.
Redeeming means paying the taxes plus interest, penalties and costs. In a sale, that redemption can be handled at closing out of the proceeds. If the redemption period has passed or the tax sale buyer has filed suit, call a Louisiana real estate attorney right away. Some of those files can still be resolved and some cannot, so the sooner it is reviewed, the more options you have.
How are back taxes paid at closing?
The closing attorney pulls the tax status from both the city and the parish and adds any other recorded debts, such as a mortgage, code enforcement liens or judgments. Each payoff is listed on the settlement statement and paid directly from the proceeds. You receive what remains. Ask for that written breakdown before you sign so you can see every line, and if you think the debts may exceed the proceeds, say so early so the options can be discussed.
What if I inherited a Kenner house with unpaid taxes?
This is one of the most common calls we get. A parent passes, the house sits while the family sorts things out, and the tax bills stack up. Heirs usually need legal authority through a succession before they can sell, while interest keeps running in the background. Ask your attorney whether paying the current year makes sense while the paperwork moves forward. Our guides on selling an inherited house through a Louisiana succession and selling a house with a tax lien in Louisiana cover more detail.
Why do Kenner owners with tax arrears choose a cash sale?
A retail listing usually means repairs, showings and a buyer whose lender wants clean title and a house in good shape. Every month of delay adds interest to the tax bill. A direct cash sale accepts the house as-is, skips the loan approval and sets closing around the title work. It is not the right fit for every owner. If the house is in good condition and you have time, listing may make more sense, and we will tell you that.
Selling a house with back taxes in Kenner FAQ
Can I sell my Kenner house if I owe both city and parish taxes?
Yes. The closing attorney checks both the City of Kenner and Jefferson Parish tax records, and the delinquent amounts are paid from the sale proceeds at closing before you receive your share.
Will a tax sale stop me from selling my house?
Not usually while the redemption period is open. The redemption can be paid at closing. If the period has passed or a lawsuit has been filed, have a Louisiana real estate attorney review the file right away.
Do I have to pay the back taxes before closing?
Usually not. In most sales the back taxes, interest and penalties are paid directly from the proceeds at closing and shown on the settlement statement.
How do I find out exactly what I owe?
Contact the City of Kenner Finance Department at 504-468-4049 for city taxes and the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office for parish taxes. The closing attorney will also order official tax research before closing.
Do you buy Kenner houses that need repairs and have tax liens?
Yes. We buy houses as-is across Kenner and Jefferson Parish, including homes with unpaid taxes, code liens and deferred repairs. Share what you know about the condition and the liens so the agreement is accurate.
Is there a commission when I sell directly to you?
There is no real estate commission on a direct sale to Bertucci Investment Group. Ask for a written breakdown of closing costs and payoffs before you commit.
Next steps for Kenner owners behind on taxes
If back taxes have turned your house into a problem you want solved, request a cash offer or call 504-920-4747. Have your most recent city and parish tax notices and any tax sale letters nearby, and we will walk through the next steps with you.
Kenner cash home buyer page | Jefferson Parish cash home buyer page | Metairie cash home buyer page | Kenner code violations and a cash sale | Selling an inherited house in Kenner