Welcome to the Tax Certificate Lien Sale Information Center
Frequently Asked Questions
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| What is a tax lien? |
The Montgomery County Treasurer's Office sells the past due taxes to a third party to collect those past due taxes.
| Why is my property on the Tax Lien Sale List? |
Your property was selected to be on the Tax Lien Sale List because the property was past due on real estate taxes.
| What is a Tax Lien Sale? |
Liens consist of past due taxes plus fees, penalties, and interest that are sold to qualified bidders. Liens are sold in large bundles and CANNOT be bought individually.
One year after the date of the sale of the lien, if the owner fails to pay off the amount owed on the lien, the purchaser of the lien has the option to foreclose on the property.
| How much do I owe? |
If a lien HAS NOT been sold on your property please contact the Montgomery County Taxpayer Customer Service Department at 937-225-4010 and select Option 1.
If a lien HAS been sold on your property: Contact the Montgomery County Tax Lien Department by calling 937-225-4010, Option 8.
The Montgomery County Treasurer's Office is open between the hours of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday.
| My lien is going to be sold, what do I do? |
Before a lien on your past due taxes is sold, you have two options. First, you can pay your past due taxes, OR you may be eligible to enter into a payment plant.
| A tax lien has been sold on my property, what do I do? |
After the sale there will be additional fees & interest charged against your property. If full payment is not made within 12 months (1 year) of the date your lien was sold, the Purchaser of your lien can foreclose on your property.
All payments MUST be made to the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office, DO NOT make any payments to the purchaser of your lien.
Payments MUST be made in the form of cash, money order, or cashier's check.
| How do I make payments? |
All payments MUST be made to the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office, DO NOT make any payments to the purchaser of your lien.
Payments MUST be made in the form of cash, money order, or cashier's check.
| Do I need to make payments on both my tax lien and my current taxes? |
Yes, properties with tax liens sold still owe real estate taxes every year.
Therefore, property owners must pay BOTH the Tax Lien as well as pay taxes during regular payment periods (February and July).
If taxes are not paid during regular payment periods, a second lien CAN be sold on additional unpaid real estate taxes. Additional fees and penalties will be charged for a second lien.
| Who bought my tax lien? |
Tax Liens are sold in large bundles to qualified bidders. When a Tax Lien is sold, the property owner receives notification by certified mail with the name of the Lien Purchaser. You may also contact the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office at 937-225-4010 and select Option 8 to obtain this information.
Property owners with Tax Liens sold SHOULD NOT contact the Lien Purchaser. Instead, please contact the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office.
| What happens if I do not pay, am I losing my property? |
One year after sale date of the Tax Lien the Purchaser of the Lien is allowed to contact the property owner.
If the property owner CANNOT pay the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office the remaining debt owed on the Tax Lien, then the Lien Purchaser has the option to begin foreclosure.
Foreclosure CAN result in the loss of your property!
Foreclosure can be avoided by paying off the Tax Lien. Contact the Montgomery County Treasurer's Office to pay off a Tax Lien.
| Can I buy my own tax lien? |
No.
| Why is Montgomery County selling tax liens? |
Montgomery County property owners have a duty and obligation to pay Real Estate Taxes. Real Estate Taxes are an important funding source for local schools and services provided by local governments. Property owners who do not pay their taxes pass this responsibility to those who do pay their taxes. The Tax Lien Sale provides immediate funding of past due tax dollars to the schools and local governments.
| I have been contacted by my lien purchaser, what should I do? |
Ohio Law prevents Lien Purchasers from contacting property owners for one full calendar year after the date of the Sale. After one full calendar year, the Lien Purchaser may contact you to discuss the status of your Lien. No. One year after the sale date of the Tax Lien the Purchaser of the Lien is allowed to contact the property owner.