The next Tax Sale is scheduled for March 2024. Tax Sale 2024
Tax accounts that are over two (2) years in arrears are subject to Tax Sale Proceedings and will be sold at a Public Auction The Municipality of Digby conducts tax sales annually in March. If the taxes remain unpaid, the property is advertised in two local papers prior to the tax sale. Tax sale notices are mailed by regular mail to the last known address. Once properties have been advertised you will be able to access an up-to-date listing on this website. The tax sale is a public auction with the successful bid being the highest bid at or above the total of all outstanding taxes, interest and expenses (tax sale costs). Only at the end of the redemption period, if the property has not been redeemed, will the title pass to the successful bidder.
The Municipality has the power to conduct tax sales through the Municipal Government Act.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: How are tax sale properties disposed of?
Answer: These properties are disposed of through public auction or public tender. At a public auction, you simply show up on the announced date and, as at any other auction, you bid on any property you are interested in. The highest bidder is the successful purchaser of the property.
Question: Can the Municipality bid or tender on a tax sale property?
Answer: A Municipality may, with council authorization, bid or tender on a property being offered for sale.
Question: What fees are associated with the tax sale?
Answer: The fees associated with a tax sale includes taxes, interest to date, title search fee performed by our Solicitor, advertising costs in four issues of media, cost of deed and registration and HST (if applicable).
Question: If I am the successful bidder, what method of payment can I use?
Answer: Payment at a tax sale must be by cash, certified cheque, money order, bank draft, lawyer's trust cheque, debit, Visa, MasterCard or American Express.
Question: If I am the successful bidder, am I required to pay the entire bid amount at the tax sale?
Answer: The purchaser at a tax sale must immediately pay an amount equal to the taxes, interest and expenses for which the land was sold. The balance of the purchase money must be paid within three (3) business days.
Question: Is the original owner notified that their property has been sold?
Answer: Yes, a copy of the certificate of sale will be served on each owner of the property sold, along with a notice that the property may be redeemed within six months (if the property is less than six (6) years in arrears).
Question: What happens to the property if there is no successful purchaser at a tax sale?
Answer: Should there be no interest in the property, or no one successfully bids on it, the Treasurer shall place it on the tax sale list for the following year, sell by tender or the Municipality may take over ownership of the property.
Question: Can the original owner ever redeem the property if I'm the successful purchaser?
Answer: If the property is less than six (6) years in arrears, the original owner does have the right to redeem the property six months from the date of sale.