| Question | Answer |
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| What is a property tax sale? |
A property tax sale is the process followed by a municipality to recover unpaid property taxes through the sale of the property. Properties become eligible for tax sale once they are two years in arrears. Tax sales are governed by the Municipal Act, 2001 and Ontario Regulation 181/03 Municipal Tax Sales Rules made under the Act. |
| Can I visit the parcel or property that is for tax sale? |
No, entering onto a property advertised for tax sale is trespassing. The Municipality does not own the property, and the current property owner on title may still be residing on the property. |
| Where can I find more information about the permitted use (s) of the property? |
Please refer to our Zoning By-law and our Official Plan for a full list of permitted uses, setbacks, and other regulations. Contact the Planning and Development Department with questions on zoning or land use. |
| Is there a deposit that must be made at the time of submitting a tender? |
A deposit of at least 20 per cent of the tender bid amount is to be submitted with the tender. Deposits must be in the form of a money order, bank draft or certified cheque by a bank or trust corporation. The deposit should be made payable to the “Municipality of Port Hope”. Cash is not accepted and will result in the tender being rejected. |
| How do I submit the tender package? |
Your tender must be submitted in a sealed envelope, addressed to the Treasurer. Please use the pre-addressed envelope provided in the tender package to submit any bids. You can submit your tender in person at The Municipality of Port Hope, Town Hall, Finance department, 56 Queen St., Port Hope, ON L1A 3Z9, or by mail or courier. Your tender must be received on or before the time and date indicated in the notice of tax sale. If your tender is received late, it will be rejected. Rejected tenders will be returned following the tender closing date. |
| Can I submit tenders for more than one parcel or property? |
Yes, you can submit bids on more than one parcel or property. You will need to submit the separate bids in separate bid envelopes for each parcel or property. Any combined bids in one envelope will be rejected. |
| What happens if I don’t have the highest tender? |
We’ll return all tenders that are received except the two highest tenders. Please ensure that the address and phone number you provide is written clearly so we can return your tender and deposit. |
| What happens if I do have the highest tender? |
Within 14 days of being declared, the successful purchaser is required to pay:
- the amount tendered
- accumulated taxes, penalties, and interest
- reasonable costs incurred by the Municipality of Port Hope during the tax sale process
- HST if applicable
- the relevant land transfer tax
The deposit (required as per Ontario Regulation 181/03) is forfeited to the municipality if the transaction is not completed within the 14 days.
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| Can the Municipality cancel a tax sale? |
Yes, a tax sale can be cancelled by the Treasurer at any time before a tax deed or notice of vesting is registered on title. This means a tax sale can be cancelled before the tender opening or even after the tender is closed. |
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Why would a tender be rejected?
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A tender may be rejected for some of the following reasons:
- the tender amount was not equal to or greater than the minimum tender amount
- the tender deposit was not provided by money order, bank draft, or certified cheque
- the tender did not relate to just one parcel or property
- the tender envelope was not sealed, or the envelope did not include on it that it is a tax sale, or it did not provide a short description or municipal address allowing the treasurer to identify what parcel or property the tender was submitted for
- the tender included a term or condition that is not allowed for under Ontario Regulation 181/03
- the tender was not accompanied by a deposit of at least 20 per cent of the tender amount
- the tender was not addressed to the Treasurer or typewritten or legibly handwritten in ink.
- the tender was not submitted using Form 7
- the tender was not one of the two highest tenders
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