Tax Sale

In 2023 all unpaid 2021 property taxes will become delinquent and subject to daily interest. Interest on arrears and delinquent taxes, which is set by the Province of BC, is currently 9.5% annually. The 2021 tax amounts, plus interest, will need to be paid to avoid the tax sale in 2023. To avoid extra interest charges, customers who are able are encouraged to pay 2021 delinquent balances.

Please contact the Finance department at 604-541-2107 if you have questions or would like to arrange to make payments in instalments.

The Local Government Act requires the City to sell properties with three years of unpaid Property Taxes at public auction.

Annual Tax Sale

Registration: 9 a.m.
Time: 10 a.m.
When: Monday, September 25, 2023
Where: City Hall - Council Chambers
15322 Buena Vista Avenue

Properties which may 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 date of the Tax Sale, the property will be removed from the Tax Sale auction.

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 9:00 am 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 9:50 am. Tax Sale will begin promptly at 10:00 am.

Avoiding the Tax Sale

To ensure your property is not offered for sale at public auction you must pay your delinquent taxes by 10:00am on the date of the public auction. You are not required to pay you arrears or current taxes to avoid Tax Sale
To avoid having your property listed in the paper you must pay your delinquent taxes by August 25
Contact your mortgage holder if you are unable to pay the delinquent tax balance
Call our office at 604-541-2107 for the delinquent amount outstanding including daily interest or refer to your Tax Sale Advice Notice

Paying

Payment for delinquent taxes will be accepted in the following forms:

Cash, Interac, Bank Draft, Lawyer’s Trust Cheque
Personal cheques will only be accepted until August 18
Telephone or Online Banking. Do not pay at your financial institution or pay online after September 8, as we cannot guarantee that your payment will reach our bank in time to avoid the Tax Sale

Redemption

The current owner has one year after the property is sold at Tax Sale to pay all taxes, interest, and charges to retain ownership of their property. This is called the redemption period.

Registered charge holders have full right to redeem the property. To redeem the property, the charge holder or owner must remit the full upset price, plus interest on the purchase price at a rate set by the Province, within 1 year of the Tax Sale.

As soon as the property is redeemed, the Collector will refund to 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).

Once a property is sold at the tax sale, the original owner continues to have the right to live on the property.
Purchaser is registered on title, and has the right to enter the property in order to maintain it in proper condition.

Property Not Redeemed

If the property is not redeemed during the 1-year redemption period, the Collector registers the new owner at the Land Title Office, thus cancelling all previous charges, except for those matters 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.

Resources

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: