What to Do When a Tax Sale Only Gets You Part of the Property

Buying property at a tax sale in Louisiana does not always mean you own the entire property. In many cases, you only acquire the interest of the owner who failed to pay taxes. That means you may end up owning a percentage of the property—not the whole thing—alongside other owners.

The first step is to confirm and quiet the tax title. This is a court process that formally recognizes your ownership of the interest you purchased at the tax sale. It does not give you full ownership of the property, but it solidifies your rights to the percentage you acquired.

Once that is done, you become a co-owner with whoever owns the remaining interest. From there, you have a few practical options.

You can try to work out a deal with the other owner and purchase their share. This is often the simplest and fastest way to gain full ownership, especially if the other party is willing to sell.

If that is not possible, you have the right to force a resolution through a partition. This is a legal process that ends the co-ownership. In some cases, the property can be physically divided, but more often it is sold. When the property is sold, the proceeds are split between the owners based on their ownership percentages.

In short, even if a tax sale only gives you part of a property, you still have a clear path forward. By confirming your title and then pursuing a buyout or partition, you can turn a partial interest into real, usable value.



To learn more or to schedule a free consultation regarding tax sales or real estate law,

contact Johnston Burkhardt at johnston@snw.lawor 504-313-4199.