The Local Government Act requires the City to sell properties with three years of unpaid property taxes at public auction.
Properties to be included in the annual tax sale will be listed in the local newspaper twice in the weeks preceding the tax sale. If the delinquent taxes are paid before 10:00 am on the tax sale day, they will be removed from the list of properties.
All individuals who intend to bid on properties in the tax sale must pre-register prior to the start of the tax sale. Registration will begin at 1 hour before the Tax Sale start time outside the doors of the Council Chambers. Photo ID and social insurance number (individuals) or business number (businesses) are required for registration. Registration will close at 10 minutes before the start time.
Note: Physical distancing and maximum gathering requirements will be in place. Attendees should follow the directional signage and sit only in the designated areas.
Payment for delinquent taxes will be accepted in the following forms:
The current owner has one year after the property is sold at Tax Sale to retain ownership of their property. This is called the redemption period. Registered charge holders, as well as the owner, have full right to redeem the property.
To redeem the property, the owner or charge holder must pay the upset price, plus interest on the purchase price at a rate set by the Province and any charges, within one year of the Tax Sale.
The upset price is calculated as the sum of:
As soon as the property is redeemed, the Collector will refund the Tax Sale purchaser the purchase price, plus interest to the date of redemption.
The Local Government Act, Part 16 Section 665 Effect of tax sale on rights of owner is summarized below for your convenience. (In the event of a discrepancy the Local Government Act will prevail).
If the property is not redeemed during the one year redemption period, the Collector registers the new owner at the Land Titles Office, cancelling all previous charges, except for those set out in Section 276(1) (c) to (g) of the Land Title Act. Section 276 lists rights and claims which continue to exist after a property is sold at tax sale including, but not limited to easements, restrictive covenants, rights of way, and liens or mortgages of the Crown or Improvement District.
The information provided on this page is intended as a general outline of the tax sale process. For complete information prospective purchasers should consult the governing legislation such as:
