How to Avoid Tax Sale
The following notes are intended to provide a general outline of the tax sale process. For complete information, you should consult the Local Government Act, in particular (but not limited to) Division 7. www.gov.bc.ca
- The City is required by the Local Government Act to sell at Tax Sale all properties whose taxes have not been paid for 3 years.
- The Local Government Act gives the Collector authority to sell a property for the Upset Price which equals all outstanding taxes + penalties + interest + 5% administration costs + Land Title Office fees.
- A public auction will be held at 10:00 a.m., on the last Monday in September each year.
- To avoid your property from being sold at the Tax Sale Auction, all delinquent property taxes, plus delinquent interest must be paid in full no later than 9:59 a.m., on the last Monday in September.
- If your property is sold at the tax sale, you will have one year to redeem the property. However, redeeming after the tax sale has significant additional costs.
- Before Tax Sale - Minimum payment of delinquent taxes (2021 taxes) + interest
- After Tax Sale - To redeem your property, payment of the following is required:
- Current (2023 taxes) + penalty
- Arrears (2022 taxes) + interest
- Delinquent (2021 taxes) + interest- Land Title registration fee
- 5% administration fees
- Interest on bid price- Bank draft
- Certified cheque
- Cash
- Interact
Note: Personal cheques, Certified Cheques and Interact will NOT be accepted after August 31st
- To avoid your property being listed in the newspaper ad, your delinquent taxes must be paid no later than the last Wednesday in August.
- The legal description and street address must be published.