Why Is My Property Tax Still Under the Previous Owner?

Looking for properties in Playa del Carmen?

By: Karinna Galla

If you recently purchased a property in Playa del Carmen and, as a responsible citizen, paid your property tax, you may have noticed that it still appears under the previous owner’s name—whether a person or even the developer in the case of new builds. And I’ve got some bad news for you... if that’s the case.

Well, not really. That was just bait to keep you reading.

Once you’ve signed the “deed” (escritura) of your new house, apartment, or land at the notary’s office, the notary is required to submit the full file to the Public Registry of Property and Commerce of the state where the property is located. This is to officially record the transaction with the state. This process usually takes around three months, but in some states it can vary—and even double in time.

Once your deed is properly registered with the RPP (Public Property Registry), the notary should notify you to pick up your testimony (yes, that's what the document is called). Let's be honest—most likely, the notary or attorney handling your file won’t call you, so it’s up to you to follow up after the estimated period has passed.

This is the point where you need to collect all the necessary documents we discussed in another blog post—especially the registration receipt from the RPP. Once you have this, the property is officially under your name in the eyes of the State.

So Why Is the Property Tax Still Under the Previous Owner?

Property tax is a municipal tax applied to real estate—whether land or buildings. Property owners must pay it annually to the local government, and the amount is generally based on the cadastral value, assessed by the local tax office. The funds collected support public services such as road maintenance, street lighting, garbage collection, etc., depending on the municipality—such as Playa del Carmen.

This tax is managed by municipalities through their local cadastre offices. In other words, each city or town is responsible for maintaining its own property tax registry. And here’s the catch—this office isn’t connected to the State Registry (RPP). So, even if the state has recognized you as the legal owner, the city hasn’t—yet.

Sometimes, the notary's office takes care of this step for you. Sometimes. But more often, you’ll need to handle it yourself after collecting your deed. Requirements and procedures vary by municipality, but they’re usually simple and low-cost.

Most Common Requirements

• Testimony (or public deed)
• Proof of property tax payment
• Proof of ISABI (Real Estate Acquisition Tax) payment
• Registration receipt from the Public Property Registry

With these documents, head to your local cadastre office and request a “Change of Owner.” Et voilà—your next tax bill should come with your name on it.

As always, I hope this information was helpful. Let me know if the process worked smoothly for you.

Until next time!