The City of Toronto is holding a Sale of Land by Public Tender, known as a “property tax sale”, as a final step in the collection of overdue, unpaid property taxes. Twenty-two properties with a combined total of more than $21.1 million in unpaid property taxes are for sale. The bidding period to purchase these properties is open until Wednesday, June 29.
Once a property has accumulated property tax arrears of two years or more, a Tax Arrears Certificate is registered against the title of the property. This allows the property to be put up for sale one year after the registration of the Certificate, unless it is paid off in full by the owner or another interested party, such as a lien or mortgage holder. Typically, tax sale properties have large outstanding arrears and may not be occupied, or the owners may be deceased or have relocated and next of kin cannot be found.
The 22 properties along with their current status and the minimum tender amount are listed in the City-issued news release on Toronto.ca: www.toronto.ca/news/city-of-to
The City makes every reasonable attempt to contact the property owner by mail, telephone, site visits and speaking with neighbours to locate and inform the property owner before listing a property for sale. If a property owner pays their outstanding taxes before the last day of the tax sale on June 29, they will be able to retain their property.
The properties can be purchased by anyone by submitting an offer (tender) on the approved form and all bid amounts must meet or exceed the minimum tender amount. The City accepts the highest eligible offer. All completed tenders must be accompanied by a deposit (in the form of a certified cheque or bank draft) of 20 per cent or more of the bid amount and must be submitted to the Revenue Services Inquiry and Payment Counter at the North York Civic Centre, 5100 Yonge St., by 3 p.m., June 29. Deposits are returned to unsuccessful bidders. Full payment must be made to the City within 14 days, and a tax deed for the property is prepared. The City keeps the money owed to them in back taxes and any associated costs and charges, and any balance that exceeds the tax cancellation price is paid to the Ontario Court of Justice.
The public tender opening is scheduled to be held at Memorial Hall, Burgundy Room, 5110 Yonge St., on June 29, 3:30 p.m.
Properties are purchased in “as is condition” – bidders are strongly advised to seek legal counsel before submitting a bid or taking ownership of a property, as new property owners become responsible for any existing liens or other claims on title, or any remediation that may be necessary.
Those interested in submitting a bid on the properties may pick up a tender package at the Revenue Services Inquiry and Payment Counter at North York Civic Centre, Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., for a cost of $38.57. Questions about the tax sale can be referred to the Revenue Services collection line at 416-395-0174. Further details about the tax sale are available at www.toronto.ca/saleofland.
Source City of Toronto
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