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Does the homestead exemption apply to a countys foreclosure action for delinquent property taxes?

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Does the homestead exemption apply to a countys foreclosure action for delinquent property taxes?

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3. If the answer to the second question is that the homestead exemption applies, what procedure may the county follow upon foreclosure for nonpayment of real estate taxes? BRIEF ANSWERS In answer to your first question, it is clear that a property owner may not avoid the payment of property taxes by claiming to own the property in question as an allodial freehold estate. That term has no application to the scope of the modern real property tax, as governed by article 7, section 1 of the state constitution. In response to your second question, we conclude that the homestead exemption does not apply to a county’s foreclosure action for delinquent property taxes. We reach this conclusion because a 1987 amendment to RCW 6.13.070 clarifies that the homestead exemption extends only to “debts of the owner.” Our Supreme Court has previously held that debts for unpaid real property taxes attach to the land, and do not become personal debts of the owner. The legislative history accompanying that

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