Learn About Tax Foreclosure

Tax foreclosure is a Lucas County tool that the Land Bank uses to help return abandoned properties to productive use.

How it works

Tax foreclosure is not a simple or fast process. All delinquent taxpayers have a right to due process and the opportunity to pay their taxes and keep their property. But when a property is truly abandoned, tax foreclosure is one of the only tools available to start fresh and make the land productive again.

We've developed the timeline below to help the community better understand the tax foreclosure process.

Take some time to review this information and contact our office if you'd like to learn more.

Property Tax Foreclosure Timeline

What to expect

Typically 6–9 months

We use an expedited tax foreclosure process for properties legally considered abandoned. To get a better idea of how this process works and the average timeline to ownership, please follow along below.

Download Timeline

Abandoned and tax-delinquent property identified

Property is identified by a possible new owner, a community member, or the Land Bank itself.

Property becomes an acquisition priority

Proceed with request to acquire. If property is a low priority, request will be held and reviewed again later.

Foreclosure notice mailed to property owner

14 days

Title work ordered and all additional parties identified

Additional 28 days

Complaint filed in court and all parties served notice

Additional 45 days

Final hearing before foreclosure

Additional 30 days

Last chance for owner to retain property

Additional 30 days

Owner has one final chance to pay taxes in full and prevent foreclosure.

The Land Bank becomes the owner

The Land Bank fully inspects and reviews the property.

Demolition and greening, or renovation as needed

Timeline varies depending on property

Ready to sell for productive use

The property is sold to qualified applicants or marketed publicly for sale to interested buyers.

Every transaction is different and nothing in this timeline should be construed as a commitment, either as to the length of the actual process or the Land Bank's ability to secure the title. Under Ohio law, an owner may redeem their property during the tax foreclosure process and prevent the Land Bank from acquiring it. By receiving an application for any property, the Land Bank does not commit to a transfer.