How to Avoid Tax Sale

How to Avoid Tax Sale

• Tax Sale Information

  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.
• Tax Sale

  • 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.
• Amount payable depends on when payment to the City is received:

  1. Before Tax Sale - Minimum payment of delinquent taxes (2021 taxes) + interest
  2. 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

   

• Methods of Payment

  • Bank draft
  • Certified cheque
  • Cash
  • Interact

  Note: Personal cheques, Certified Cheques and Interact will NOT be accepted after August 31st

• Advertising

  • 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.