Homeowner Roadmap - Tax Sale Clinic Baltimore City

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Tax Sale General Information (check the boxes to confirm review with client):

To avoid tax sale, I should pay the balance of my property tax bill before April 30, or ensure that a financial assistance program listed below is paying on my behalf or otherwise removing me from the tax sale list. I should pay earlier if possible to make sure my payment is processed in time to remove my property from the tax sale list. To find out my current payment options, I should call customer service for the Department of Finance at 410-396-3987. Once I have made a payment, I should request a written statement that my payment has been made.The 2024 Baltimore City tax sale auction is currently scheduled for May 20. If a tax lien certificate for my property was sold at the tax sale I will receive a notice from the City of Baltimore within 60 days of the sale date. I have the right to redeem my property after the tax sale until the purchaser obtains a judgment of foreclosure. If I redeem within 7 months of the auction date, I pay the City the amount of the lien plus interest. The amount of interest is 12% per year for homeowners, or 18% if the home is not in my name or is not considered "owner-occupied". To redeem more than 7 months after the auction date, I must follow a two-step process to pay the purchaser for expenses and the lien amount to the City. (The sooner you pay, the less you will owe.) See details below.The tax sale purchaser cannot become the owner of my home without filing a court action in the Circuit Court of Baltimore City and obtaining a judgment of foreclosure. If I receive court papers, I should seek legal help immediately from Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service at 410-547-6537 or Maryland Legal Aid at 800-999-8904.If the tax sale lien purchaser bid more for my property than the amount of taxes I owed and forecloses on my home, I may be entitled to compensation from the City of Baltimore. I can file an application to the Baltimore City Department of Finance for this money or submit a motion for surplus funds. I can contact Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service for assistance with this matter at 410-547-6537.

Additional Attorney Notes

Related to my water bill, I should:

I should call DPW customer service at (410) 396-5398. For a possible leak, ask for a turn-on/turn off test. If a leak is found, request DPW come out for an on-site test. If a leak is on your property, hire a plumber to correct the problem and submit a water and sewer adjustment request form.If you think your meter is not accurate, request a meter flow test. There is a $109 fee, which will be refunded if your meter is broken.After taking the steps above, you can submit a complaint to Customer Care in writing by certified mail. Include your name, account number, record of interactions with customer care, basis for the complaint and any evidence.I should call the Department of Public Works and request a payment plan.I should apply for assistance with my water bill through the Water4All program. I can apply online at https://publicworks.baltimorecity.gov/water4all. To receive a paper application, I should call 410-396-5555.
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IN ORDER TO REDEEM: Up to 7 Months after Tax Sale (or 4 months after Tax Sale if my home is not listed as "Owner-Occupied")--

I must pay the City the amount of my liens, plus interest, plus any current year taxes owed. I can make my payment at the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holiday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. I can call 410-396-3987 to verify the amount that I owe. I should request a written statement that my payment has been applied to pay my tax sale lien.

7 or more months after Tax Sale (or 4 months after Tax Sale if my home is not listed as "Owner-Occupied")-- There is a 2 step process to redeem my property:

FIRST: I must contact the tax lien certificate purchaser and pay them for certain costs and attorney’s fees that are owed. They must provide me with a payoff statement within 10 days of receiving my request. I should request a written receipt after paying. *** You cannot be charged attorney’s fees unless at least 7 months have passed from the date of the “tax sale.”

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SECOND: After paying the tax lien certificate purchaser, I must pay the City the amount of my liens, plus interest, plus any current year taxes. I can make my payment at the Abel Wolman Municipal Building, 200 Holiday Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. I can call 410-396-3987 to verify the amount that I owe. I should request a written statement that my payment has been credited to pay my tax sale lien.