Letter to Taxpayers

September 13, 2007

IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAXES

We have been notified by many citizens who have properties with delinquent real estate taxes that they are receiving letters from individuals or companies falsely stating that their real property is eligible to be sold by the city on September 28, 2007 because of the property’s delinquent tax status. Some letters contain offers to purchase the property.

The City of Roanoke would like for you to know that the City Treasurer’s Office and the Department of Billings & Collections have not authorized these letters or mailed any letters stating that any property will be sold on September 28, 2007. In fact, the city’s next Tax Sale auction date is scheduled for November 7, 2007. Lists of properties to be auctioned are not available until two weeks prior to the auction date and the lists can change up until 5:00 p.m. on the date prior to the actual auction.

Since real estate tax delinquency is “public information,” lists of tax-delinquent real properties are available to the public. There are many advertisements on television and on the Internet that claim individuals may make money by purchasing tax delinquent property. While some states allow persons to purchase a “lien” on the property by paying the delinquent taxes, this is not legal in Virginia.

When property in the City of Roanoke becomes delinquent, a legal procedure called a Judicial Sale of Real Property is followed. This procedure is handled by an attorney working for or on behalf of the city. There are many steps in the legal process that must be followed before a property may be approved by the court for auction. The city’s Web site, www.roanokeva.gov/taxsale, provides more information about this process.

To summarize, information about properties with delinquent taxes is open to the public. Citizens may receive unsolicited letters from individuals or companies wanting to purchase their property and making false claims about the status of their property.

However, the city does notify taxpayers by letter and by telephone of collection actions to be taken and lists of property with delinquent taxes are advertised in the newspaper and published on this web-site. If you have delinquent taxes and do not already have arrangements for payment, please contact Billings & Collections. If you have any questions concerning this letter, please contact Billings & Collections at (540) 853-2880 or by email at billings@roanokeva.gov