Departments & Services

AdministrationFinanceEngineering, Public Works, and OperationsPlanning and Development ServicesAirportCemeteriesAnimal ControlBusiness LicensingHighway 16 Regional Transit ServiceBylaw Enforcement

Tax Sale

Home  /  Departments & Services  /  Finance  /  Tax Sale

The District of Houston's Tax Sale

The District of Houston annual tax sale is held on the last Monday in September in Council Chambers beginning at 10:00 A.M. Notices of the properties available for tax sale are published in the local paper two weeks in advance of the tax sale. Properties for which taxes are delinquent will be placed for bid in accordance with the Community Charter and the Local Government Act. The properties that will be placed for bid are subject to the owners of such property failing to pay the taxes for three years prior to the sale.

The minimum acceptable bid for any property is the "Upset Price", which equals:

• all outstanding taxes;
• penalties and interest;
• 5% of the tax sale costs; and
• fees for the registration of Land Title Charges & Transfers.

The District of Houston makes no representation express or implied as to the condition or quality of the properties being offered for sale. We recommend that you research each property. It is important to determine whether there are other restrictions, charges or conditions that may affect a property's value or sustainability. Please do not trespass onto any property being offered for sale, as doing so would be an infringement of the owner's rights and may lead to liability against the trespasser.

Where no bids are placed on a property, the property will be deemed sold to the District of Houston. The municipality may also place bids on properties available for purchase at tax sale, provided that Council has delegated the authority to bid to an individual capable of doing so.

Winning bids must be paid in full by 2:00 P.M. the day of the auction. Payment must be made via certified cheque or cash. Credit cards will not be accepted. If the bid is not paid in full by 2:00 P.M., the subject property will be auctioned again commencing at 10:00 A.M. the following day.

Properties which are sold at tax sale are subject to a one-year redemption period, wherein the property owner may redeem the property by paying the outstanding property taxes. Once the one-year period has expired, ownership of the property will be transferred to the person who purchased the property at tax sale.

For more information, please contact the District of Houston Collector at 250-845-2238 or by email at finance@houston.ca.