Selling a Longtime Home in Forest Hill, Texas

Taxes and water bills for an older Forest Hill owner

Forest Hill is a Tarrant County city of about 14,314 residents by the Census Bureau 2024 estimate. Say an owner who has lived in a Forest Hill house for a long time decides to move in with family or into care. Two money questions come up before the sale: the tax bill and the water bill.

The Tarrant County tax FAQ lists two ways to spread out the property tax:

• Half payments. Pay the first half by November 30, marked "Half Payment", and the second half by June 30, without penalty and interest.
• Quarter payments. For a residence homestead with an Over 65 or Disability exemption, four equal payments due January 31, March 31, May 31 and July 31.

Otherwise the tax becomes delinquent on February 1, and not receiving a statement does not excuse the tax, penalty or interest. That matters once mail stops reaching an empty house. The same FAQ sends questions about values, exemptions and the owner's name or mailing address to the Tarrant Appraisal District at 817-284-0024. The City of Forest Hill is one of the units on the county's rate list, so the county tax office collects it.

On the water side, Forest Hill's utility code lets a residential customer over 60 who occupies the entire premises ask for a delay of 25 days from the bill date, as long as no other delayed bill is still outstanding.

After the move: the city water account

Once the owner has moved out, the same chapter of the Forest Hill code matters in other ways:

• Vacancy of the premises is one of the listed reasons the city may disconnect service, or refuse to reconnect it.
• A property connected to city service is assumed to be using it, and the owner or occupant is charged for as long as it stays connected.
• Only city employees may connect, turn on, turn off or disconnect service. The customer keeps the connections and fixtures past that point in good repair.
• The city may decline service to a person who owes it money for any reason other than property taxes and special assessments. Pay the final bill so the debt does not stand in the way of service later.

Requests for new service go to the city's utility service department with a name, address and the intended use.

Forest Hill's 10-inch weed rule and lien

Article 7.04 of the Forest Hill code limits weeds, brush and similar growth to ten inches within 200 feet of a property line that borders a street, alley, utility easement, subdivided addition, developed property or building. The strip from the property line to the curb must be kept clear as well; where there is no curb, it runs to the center of an unpaved street or to the edge of the pavement.

The city gives at least seven days' written notice, in person or by certified mail to the address on record with the appraisal district, and the code's definition of owner includes the person shown on the latest tax rolls. If the work is not done, the city may do it and send a written demand. An unpaid bill can be filed with the county clerk in the land records after 30 days. The resulting lien runs at ten percent a year, ranks behind only tax and street-improvement liens, and the city may sue to collect or foreclose it. Because the notice goes to the address the appraisal district has, an owner who has moved should update that mailing address with TAD before the house sits empty.

When the owner has died

If the owner has already passed away, probate belongs in the county where that person lived (Estates Code 33.001), which for a Tarrant resident means the Tarrant County probate courts. Deeds and any city lien are recorded with the Tarrant County Clerk. Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas lists a Fort Worth office at 600 East Weatherford St. (office locations) and offers legal help for people who qualify. See also selling an inherited house in Texas.

Selling your Forest Hill house to us

With Cash Home Advisors you can sell your Forest Hill house as-is without making repairs. We can close in 7–14 days, and we pay all closing costs. See how it works or request an offer.

Local offices for this area

• Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector: property tax FAQs
• Tarrant County Clerk: real estate records
• Tarrant County probate courts
• Forest Hill Code, Article 7.04 (cleanliness of premises, weeds and liens)

ZIP codes we buy in: 76119, 76140