If property taxes remain unpaid for a specific period of time, the Municipal Act provides for the sale of the property. The City registers a Tax Arrears Certificate if taxes remain unpaid on a property for any part of two years prior to January 1st of any year. These timelines apply to all property classes.

A Tax Arrears Certificate indicates that the property will be sold if taxes, penalties and reasonable costs incurred by the City are not paid within one year of registration of the certificate. Once the certificate has been registered, partial payments cannot be accepted, but a Council approved repayment schedule may be arranged with the owner prior to the expiry of the one-year period.

Properties currently available through tax sales are posted on the Public Notices section of the website (ad and applicable mapping).

The City will advertise the property for sale for non-payment of taxes if the cancellation price is not paid within one year following registration of the certificate. Advertisements are generally published in the Temiskaming Speaker for four consecutive weeks and the Ontario Gazette for one week. Using forms provided by the tax office, the bid plus a certified cheque for 20% of the tendered amount must be submitted in a sealed envelope prior to the specified time. To be eligible, bids must be at least equal to the advertised minimum tender amount. The successful purchasers will be required to pay the amount tendered plus accumulated taxes, penalties and interest, and the relevant land transfer tax.

From the day of notification to the highest bidder, this eligible bidder has 14 days to complete the transaction. All tax properties are sold without warranty and are sold as is. Further information will be made available at the time of advertising of the properties.