Tax Sales

A tax sale happens when the Municipality sells a property for unpaid taxes, as per the Ontario Municipal Act, 2001

Before we put the property up for tax sale, the property owner receives a Final Demand letter letting them know that their property is up for tax sale. The letter provides a deadline by which the owner must contact us.

If the property owner does not contact us by the deadline, we register the property for tax sale. Notification of the registration is sent to:

• Property owner
• Mortgage holder
• Anyone with a registered court judgment against the taxpayer

After registration occurs, the property owner has one year to pay the outstanding taxes in full. If the taxes are not paid in full within the year, the property is put up for tax sale.

To bid on a tax sale property, complete the following 5 steps:

1. Determine your bid amount, which must be greater than the minimum tender amount.
2. Complete Form 7 – Tender to Purchase.
3. Obtain a money order, bank draft, or certified cheque of at least 20% of your bid amount.
4. Insert your completed Form 7 and bid deposit in a sealed envelope labelled with the required information.

Submit your tender in person or mail at the Trent Lakes Municipal Office, 760 Peterborough County Rd 36, Trent Lakes, Ontario, K0M 1A0.

Please review the full instructions for submitting a tender and the tenderer's checklist before bidding on a property.

The municipality has no obligation to provide vacant possession to the successful purchaser.

These are not typical real estate sales. If you wish to participate in a sale, you may want to seek professional legal advice.