What is a tax sale?
If your property taxes are unpaid for more than one year, the City registers a tax recovery lien on your property under the Municipal Act, 2001. We will send you a notice to pay what you owe. If the balance is not cleared, the City may sell the property at a public auction to recover the unpaid taxes. This is called a tax sale.
Unpaid taxes grow quickly. A penalty of two per cent is added monthly to any balance that is not paid on time. If you are struggling to pay, you can join the Wrenford Tax Instalment Plan (WTIP) or apply for the Property Tax Assistance Program before your account reaches tax sale status.
Auction details
The City holds a tax sale auction once a year. The next auction is scheduled for:
- Date: November 12, 2026
- Time: 10:00 a.m.
- Location: Council Chambers, Wrenford City Hall, 100 Mercer Street
How to avoid a tax sale
You can remove your property from the auction list at any time before the sale date. To do this, you must pay the full amount of your tax arrears, including all penalties and interest.
Once your account is paid in full, the City will discharge the tax recovery lien. You will receive confirmation that your property has been removed from the tax sale.
Bidding at the auction
If you are interested in buying a property at the tax sale, please review the following rules:
- Review the property list: The City will publish the list of properties available for auction on our website one week before the sale date. The list is updated daily as properties are paid off.
- No pre-registration: You do not need to register in advance. Seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
- In-person attendance: You must be present in the Council Chambers to place a bid.
- Reserve bids: Every property has a reserve bid set at its estimated fair market value. This minimum price is determined by an independent appraiser. Bidding starts at this reserve amount.
- Property condition: All properties are sold "as is, where is." The City does not guarantee the condition of the property or its contents. We do not own the property until the sale is complete, and current owners or tenants may still be living there. Do not trespass on the property before the auction. Entering the property before the sale is illegal.
- Placing a bid: The auctioneer will call out bids. A property is sold when the auctioneer declares it sold. If no bids meet the reserve price, the auction for that property closes.
Buying a property at tax sale
If you are the successful bidder, you must follow these steps:
- Sign the agreement: You will sign the City's Agreement of Purchase and Sale on the day of the auction.
- Make a deposit: You must pay one-third of the purchase price (or a minimum of $500.00) immediately by cash, certified cheque, or bank draft.
- Pay the balance: You must pay the remaining two-thirds, plus any applicable Goods and Services Tax (GST), within 60 days of the auction date. This is your closing date.
- Receive your title: Once the full balance is paid, the City will process the transfer of ownership. If the property is occupied by tenants, you are responsible for obtaining vacant possession.
Contact the Revenue Team
If you have questions about your tax account, need help paying your taxes, or want to know if your property is at risk of a tax sale, contact our Revenue and Water Billing team.
Phone: 519-555-0100
Address: Room 105, Wrenford City Hall, 100 Mercer Street, Wrenford, ON N4Q 1A1
Email: [email protected]
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.