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Billings & Collections
Frequently Asked Questions - Tax Sale
How can I obtain a listing of properties?
Lists of tax sale properties to be auctioned are posted on this web site. Lists are usually not available until three weeks prior to the auction. Lists are published in legal section of The Roanoke Times for three weeks in advance of the auction date. You may also sign up for a free e-mail notification through the MyRoanoke service. As soon as the list of properties is finalized, it is published on this web site and automatically e-mailed to those who have signed up through the free MyRoanoke service. Lists, when available, are also provided by Billings & Collections in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, Room 252.
How often are auctions held?
Auctions are held as soon as enough properties are ready through the legal process for auction. Usually auctions are scheduled when the legal process for tax sale has been completed on 10-25 properties. Dates vary, so check this web-site for notice of upcoming auctions.
What are the starting bid prices of properties?
There are no requirements for starting bids nor are there any set amounts for opening bids. The beginning bidding is determined by the auctioneer and is "not" based on any outstanding amount owed against the property such as taxes or liens. The starting bid generally reflects the assessed value of the property.
If I purchase a property at a tax sale, can the owner come back later and reclaim the property?
No, property owners have until 5:00 p.m. of the day before the auction to redeem the property by paying delinquent taxes, legal fees, and assessments. Successful bidders at the auction obtain title to the property and the prior owner has no legal claim on the property.
The Property is sold in gross and not by the acre and is sold free of all claims of any creditor, person, or entity, including those claims of beneficiaries under any deed of trust or mortgage, as provided by Va. Code Ann. § 58.1-3967 (1950, as amended), but subject to all objections, rights, reservations, leases, covenants, conditions, restrictions, easements, encroachments, overlaps, overhangs, deficiency in quantity, all questions of boundaries, location and acreage which a current and accurate survey would disclose, roadways, unrecorded easements, and any other matter, recorded or unrecorded, as may lawfully affect the property or which would be disclosed by an inspection and accurate survey of the premises. No warranty is made as to the insurability of title.
Are auctions advertised in the newspaper?
We use a variety of media to inform the public about the auctions. Announcements are posted on the city's web-page at www.roanokeva.gov/taxsale, Channel 3 or advertises the auction, press releases are distributed to radio and television stations as well as to the newspapers, and 3 advertisements are placed in the legal section of The Roanoke Times prior to the auction. You may wish to subscribe to the free MyRoanoke feature of the city's web-site which provides you with announcements, press releases, and information on city services via e-mail.
Who can purchase property at a tax sale?
The auctions are held open to the public. Anyone can bid on a property. Bidders may include adjacent property owners, neighborhood organizations, Community Development Corporations, investors or other interested parties. Bidders are encouraged to have all real estate taxes, personal property taxes, business license fees, meals taxes, lodgings or admissions taxes, whether as an individual, company, corporation or partnership, paid in full. Bidders are also encouraged to have any outstanding environmental code, building code or zoning code Notices of Violation remedied prior to bidding. Note: Any successful or highest bidder with weed abatements or demolition abatements, inoperable vehicle violations, vacant or derelict board up house violations, court citing violations and other code violations, unpaid assessments as well as delinquent taxes will be disqualified and the sale will be offered to the next highest bidder. Click on Bidder Qualification Program for additional information.
If I purchase a property at a tax sale, do I have to pay the back taxes?
No, the purchaser does not have to pay any back taxes or city assessments. The property is sold free and clear of taxes and nuisance abatement liens, and legal fees. The purchaser pays the bidder's premium, high bid price, and the cost of recording the deed in the city of Roanoke Circuit Court Clerk's Office.
If I purchase a property at a tax sale, will I receive title to the property?
The sale of each parcel of property is subject to city and court approval. It is possible that a purchase could be denied based on the bid price being substantially lower than the value of the property. Usually bidders receive title within 6 to 8 weeks after the tax sale.
What types of properties are sold at auction?
All types of properties are sold at a tax sale. This includes vacant lots, vacant buildings, residential parcels, commercial parcels, and manufacturing parcels as well as occupied buildings. For zoning information, check out the city's Geographical Information System
What qualifies a property for tax sale?
According to State and City code, proceedings may be instituted to sell a property when any taxes on the real estate are delinquent on December 31 following the first anniversary date on which such taxes have become due. See 58.1-3965 et. seq. of the Code of Virginia.
If I pay the delinquent taxes on a property, do I have legal ownership of that property?
No, there is no such provision under Virginia law.
Does the city sell real estate tax lien certificates?
No, Virginia law does not allow this. This process is used in many other states, but is not authorized in Virginia.
How can I get a list of all tax delinquent properties in the city of Roanoke?
A list of properties with delinquent real estate taxes may be requested through the City Treasurer. A fee will apply. Lists of properties subject to the tax sale are posted on this web site as soon as the information is available. In addition, lists of properties with delinquent real estate taxes are published in the local newspaper annually.
Where are the auctions held?
The auctions are usually held in Fitzpatrick Hall at the Jefferson Center located on 541 Luck Avenue, Roanoke, Virginia 24016. Any change of location will be noted on the tax sale announcements.
For questions call Billings and Collections at 853-2880.
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