Tax Sale for Unpaid Taxes

The advertisement indicates the number of properties for sale. If properties become unavailable, the ad will be updated on the county’s website.

This depends on the property. Refer to the advertisement or package for minimum tender amounts.

The Municipal Act does not permit the municipality to list properties at their appraised or market value.  The minimum bid (cancellation price) is the amount the municipality requires to clear tax arrears.

No. The minimum bid includes all taxes owing up to the tax sale advertising. There will also be accumulated taxes and any relevant taxes (e.g., HST, and Land Transfer tax), which will be paid in addition to the submitted tender and not taken from any surplus.

In a successful tax sale where the purchase price exceeds the cancellation price, there will be surplus funds. The municipality must deposit the surplus funds with the Superior Court of Justice.

Note: Taxes or fees accumulated from the date of the tax sale are payable by the successful bidder. The successful bidder must pay the tax sale advertisement, HST, and land transfer tax in addition to the tendered amount, which is not to be taken from surplus funds.

Creditors with a registered interest when the tax arrears certification was initially registered and/or the former owners may apply to the Court for the surplus funds.

Yes, each tender must be accompanied by a deposit of at least 20% of the submitted tender amount.  The tender deposit must be paid by certified cheque, money order, or bank draft payable to Norfolk County.

The municipality has no obligation to provide vacant possession to the successful purchaser.

This is not information that the County provides to potential bidders. Please contact a legal professional.

When a property is sold at tax sale, any mortgages are eliminated, except for mortgages or liens in favour of the “Crown.” The “Crown” means the government of Ontario or the government of Canada, or one of their agencies or crown corporations.

No, the properties are not owned by the municipality and are unavailable for viewing or tours. Entering the property without permission is considered trespassing.

Information packages, including photos will be available for purchase at the County Administration Building, 50 Colborne St. South Simcoe, ON N3Y 4H3 in accordance with the User Fee By-law. 

As stated in the advertisement, all bids must be submitted through
Robinson Administration Building, 185 Robinson St, Suite 100, Simcoe, ON.  The office is open to the public from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on weekdays.

All tenders must be submitted on Form 7, available on the County website. Tender Requirements:

• All tenders must be submitted using Form 7, available on the county website.
• The tender must be submitted in a sealed envelope addressed to the “Treasurer” (does not need to include the Treasurer by name).
• Tenders will be received until 3:00 p.m. on the date of the tax sale at Robinson Administration Building, 185 Robinson St, Suite 100, Simcoe, ON. The office is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays.
• The sealed envelope must indicate that it is for a “Tax Sale” and include a short description or municipal address of the land with enough information for the Treasurer to distinguish one property from another.
• The tender must be submitted typewritten or legibly handwritten in ink
• Tenders must contain a deposit equal to at least 20% of your submitted bid price.
• Tender deposits must be certified cheques, bank drafts, or money orders payable to Norfolk County.
• Tenders containing errors will be rejected.

The tax sale will be held in person from the Robinson Administration Building, 185 Robinson St, Suite 100, Simcoe, ON
on the date shown in the advertisement.  Tenders will be opened as soon as possible after 3:00 p.m.

Results of the tax sale will be posted on the County’s website as soon as possible following the tender opening. All successful and non-successful bidders will be notified.  The highest and second-highest bids will be retained until the property transfer is finalized. Deposits will be returned to non-successful bidders by courier.

If you are the successful bidder:

• You will be notified by mail and have 14 calendar days from notice of the successful bid to pay the balance of the tender.
• Your deposit will be cashed immediately.
• You will be responsible for paying HST, land transfer tax, accumulated taxes, and/or fees since the tax sale advertisement.
• If the balance of tender is not paid within 14 calendar days, your deposit will be forfeited to the municipality and the property will be offered to the second highest bidder.

Deposit pickup is not permitted. Deposits will be returned by courier to the address indicated on the bid.

If the bidder wishes to withdraw their bid, they may do so by providing a written request to the Treasurer. The request must be received before 3:00 p.m. when the tenders are to be opened.

In the event of a tie, the bid submitted first that meets all other criteria will be considered the highest bid.