Middlesex County Property Search
Middlesex County property records are official records that contain information about real estate, its ownership, history, legal description, liens, and other valuable data pertaining to real properties within the judicial district of Middlesex. These records are created and maintained by the Registry of Deeds for Middlesex County North and Middlesex County South.
Typically, the information contained in property records is supplied by county residents or those who hold rights over the property. For example, when a property is bought or sold, a deed that transfers ownership from one party to another is supplied, along with any other relevant documents, such as mortgages or liens, to the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds, which then records and maintains those documents.
A Middlesex property records search offers any member of the public an opportunity to view and/or copy records related to any property in Middlesex County, Massachusetts. This allows the public to access information that may serve several purposes, such as settling boundary-line disagreements, determining a real property value, eliminating concerns on mortgages and foreclosures, clearing up lien disputes, and resolving issues on inheritance and property shares.
Are Middlesex County Property Records Public?
Pursuant to the Public Records Law, Chapter 66 of the Massachusetts General Laws, Middlesex County property records are public records. Any member of the public has the right to access and copy Middlesex County Public Records, including all property records such as deeds, mortgages, and other documents related to property ownership.
However, certain circumstances exist where property record information in Middlesex County may be considered private or restricted from public access. For example, personal identifying information such as social security and financial account numbers may be redacted from property records before making them available to the public. Additionally, certain property records may be exempt from disclosure under the Public Records Law if they are subject to specific statutory exemptions or if disclosure would constitute an unwarranted invasion of personal privacy.
What Do Middlesex County Property Records Contain?
Property records are made up of different documents that contain varying information on real property. Typically, one should be able to find the following type of information in Middlesex County property records:
- Property Information: Such as the property address, the owner's name, and any legal description of the property.
- Property Value: Information and data about the property's assessed value, which is the value that the county uses to calculate property taxes. This may also include the property's market value, which is the estimated amount that the property would sell for in the current market.
- Ownership History: Property records typically include a history of ownership, including the names of previous owners, the dates of their ownership, and any transfer of ownership documents.
- Building Information: Information about a building's construction, age, square footage, number of rooms, and any renovations or improvements that have been made.
- Tax Information: In addition to the property's assessed value, property records may include information about any tax liens or other tax-related issues that may impact the property's ownership or value.
- Legal Documents: Property records may also contain legal documents related to the property, such as deeds, mortgages, and easements.
Where to Perform a Middlesex County Property Lookup
Members of the public who wish to lookup a Middlesex County property record may do so using the following available options:
- In-person visits at the Middlesex County North Registry of Deeds and the Middlesex County South Registry of Deeds to view and/or copy property records. Visiting times are between 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., Monday through Friday, except on holidays.
- Online property documents lookup through the respective portals of the Registry of Deeds for Middlesex County North and Middlesex County South.
- Requests by e-mail or fax. Requests for official documents of property records can be made electronically via the respective e-mail addresses of the Registry of Deeds for Middlesex County North at lowelldeeds@comcast.net and Middlesex County South at middlesexsouth@sec.state.ma.us.
- Written requests via mail to the Registry of Deeds, Middlesex County North, or Middlesex County South, as applicable. Mail applicants are expected to include the names of parties, document titles, record years, or any identifying information in their requests. Requests and necessary fees should be mailed to:
Middlesex County South Registry of Deeds,
P.O. Box 68
Cambridge, MA 02141
Middlesex County North Registry of Deeds
P.O. Box 368
Lowell, MA 01852
Email: lowelldeeds@comcast.net
The processing time varies depending on the medium of the request. However, in-person visits are often processed on the same day. Also, fees vary by document type. In any case, requesters are expected to supply the registry with information that would help retrieve records, such as owner’s information, property address, document title, and any other identifying information.
How to Perform a Property Owner Lookup in Middlesex County
A property owner’s information is one of the many pieces of information that a Middlesex County property record search can reveal. One option to retrieve an owner’s details is to make an in-person request at the Registry of Deeds office for property ownership information. This would require that the requester furnish the registry with some other property-identifying information, like block and lot numbers, to facilitate the search and retrieval. Requests should be made during work hours, Monday through Friday. Fees may apply.
Alternatively, an individual can conduct an online search using the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds “records portal” to lookup information on property ownership, using the property address as search criteria. The record portal is available 24/7 and can be accessed by anyone with a device and an internet connection. Typically, results are returned almost immediately, and it is totally free to use.
How to Find Middlesex County Property Records Online
All Middlesex County property records are available online. The Middlesex County Registry of Deeds, the office responsible for recording and maintaining property records in Middlesex, has made all property records within its custody available to the general public via its online records portal. There are two portals available to the residents of Middlesex and the wider public to lookup property records online.
For property located in Middlesex County North, use the Registry of Deeds record portal. Likewise, use the record portal on the Register’s website to lookup property in Middlesex County South. In any way, searchers can query either database with the property owner’s full name, property address, or book and page number.
Alternatively, an individual can use third-party aggregate databases to search for property records. These databases compile information from various sources, including county records, and provide a user-friendly interface for people to search for property records. To use a third-party aggregate database, simply visit their website and enter the address or owner name of the property. The database will then return any available information, such as property ownership history, tax assessment data, and more. However, do note that third-party databases may charge a fee for access to property records or certain features.
How to Find Property Owner by Address Free
One can find a property owner by address for free in Middlesex County. However, the inquirer must first acquire or retrieve the property's address. Once the inquirer has the address, an in-person visit can be made to the office of the Registry of Deeds in Middlesex County North or South to request the property owner’s name for the address. Retrieved records are typically free to view and inspect, but printing or copying them attracts a fee.
Alternatively, a property record search on the Middlesex County Registry of Deeds website with the location credentials of the property would return records on the property, which may include ownership information.
Middlesex County Property Tax Lookup
The Treasurer and Collector offices in cities and towns in Middlesex County are responsible for collecting and recording property taxes and, therefore, allow individuals to conduct property tax lookups by written request or in-person at the Collector and Treasurer offices in their city or town. For example, residents of Lowell City in Middlesex County are expected to send written or in-person requests to the office of the tax collector and Treasure to access property tax information at:
Treasurer and Collector
375 Merrimack Street
1st Floor, Room 30
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (978) 674-4222
Fax: (978) 970-4221
Alternatively, individuals can send written or in-person requests to the city assessor's office to obtain property tax information.
A tax lookup may be necessary in various situations, such as when an individual is considering buying a property in Middlesex County and wants to know the amount of property taxes they will be required to pay. It may also be necessary if a property owner believes that their property tax assessment is incorrect and wants to verify the information. Additionally, property tax information can be useful for people who want to keep track of their property's value and the amount of taxes they owe.
How to Find Middlesex County Property Appraiser
Individuals can find Middlesex County appraisers on the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Real Estate Appraisers (MBREA) website. On the website, click on “Find an appraiser” at the top bar. On the next page, use the search tool to find appraisers by zip code, city, state, or radius. Once an appraiser has been identified, an appointment can be scheduled with them to assess the property.
Property appraisers typically conduct physical inspections of properties and gather relevant information, such as the property's size, age, and any upgrades. Appraisers will also research similar properties in the neighborhood to determine a property's value.
After inspecting the property and gathering all relevant information, appraisers will then generate a comprehensive report that encompasses the property's value and the factors considered during the appraisal process. This report can be useful for several purposes, such as determining the property's value for tax purposes, estate planning, divorce settlements, or buying or selling a property. Apart from property appraisals, appraisers may also offer other real estate-related services, such as consulting, property management, and brokerage services.
Middlesex County Property Assessor
Property assessors in various cities and towns in Middlesex County, like Cambridge City Assessors, are responsible for determining the value of real property for taxation purposes within the county. The assessor's office assesses the value of real estate based on market conditions and other factors such as location, size, and condition of the property. This valuation is then used to determine the amount of property taxes that property owners will pay.
In addition to determining property values, the property assessor's office can provide property owners with information on property tax exemptions, tax abatements, and other property tax-related matters. They may also maintain records of property ownership and make these records available to the public, as is the case with the Cambridge City Property Database, where records of assessed properties in Cambridge are available to the public for viewing.
To contact a property assessor in any city or town in Middlesex County, reach out in person or in writing to the assessor's office in the town or city. The contact information of Assessors’ Offices in Middlesex County is listed below:
ACTON Assessors Office
472 Main Street
Acton, MA 01720
Phone: (978) 929-6600
CAMBRIDGE Assessors Office
795 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02139
Phone: (617) 349-4000
LINCOLN Assessors Office
Town of Lincoln
16 Lincoln Road
Lincoln, MA 01773
Phone: (781) 259-2600
Fax: (781) 259-8735
LOWELL Assessors Office
Lowell City Hall
375 Merrimack Street
Lowell, MA 01852
Phone: (978) 674-4000
READING Assessors Office
Town of Reading
16 Lowell Street
Reading, MA 01867
Phone: (781) 942-9001
