FAQs • Roanoke, VA • CivicEngage

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Tax Sale

1. When and where are tax auctions advertised?: View information on tax advertisement.

2. Are auctions advertised in the newspaper?: View information on newspaper auction advertisements.

3. When and where are the auctions held?: Tax auctions are usually conducted the Jefferson Center located in downtown Roanoke. However, auctions may be held at the courthouse or at other locations as announced on this website. The auction may be held indoors or outdoors. The exact date, time, and location of the auction can be determined from the Notice of Sale published in the local newspaper or on our website.

4. 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 website for notice of upcoming auctions.

5. Where are the auctions held?: The auctions are usually held in Fitzpatrick Hall at:
Jefferson Center
541 Luck Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia 24016

Any change of location will be noted on the tax sale announcements.

6. How can I obtain a listing of properties?: Lists of tax sale properties to be auctioned are posted on this website. Lists are usually not available until 3 weeks prior to the auction. Lists are published in the legal section of The Roanoke Times for three weeks in advance of the auction date. As soon as the list of properties is finalized, it is published on this website. Lists, when available, are also provided by Billings and Collections in the Noel C. Taylor Municipal Building, Room 252.
The Roanoke Times

7. 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 1st anniversary date on which such taxes have become due. See 58.1-3965 et. seq. of the Code of Virginia.

8. 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.
Geographical Information System.

9. How do I find more information about the properties being offered at an auction?: In most cases, the tax maps and assessment information can be obtained online using the GIS or Geographical Information System. The Real Estate Valuation department can provide information on the property’s assessment while the Code Enforcement, Building Inspections or Zoning Departments may provide additional information about the property. The information contained in the Notice of Sale is sufficient to conduct a search for information. All properties are sold “as is” and “where is.” It is assumed that all bidders at the auction have done their due diligence prior to bidding.

10. How can I keep my property from being sold?: Pay in full or enter into a Promissory Note payment plan agreement to avoid your property from being sold. An active Promissory Note agreement, where no default has been made, will halt tax sale proceedings.

11. 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.

12. 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. View property lists on the City Treasurer's webpage.

13. 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.