Property Tax Sale

I want to buy a property at the tax sale

• I would like to obtain a list of properties to be sold before the sale date. Where can I get it?

  The list of properties that are up for sale will be avaible :

  • September 12, 2012 in an edition of Le Devoir;
  • October 3, 2012  in an edition of Le Devoir (additional statement);
  • At the Montréal city clerk’s office in Montréal City Hall at 275, rue Notre-Dame Est, R-134;
  • In any service counter;
  • At the Registre foncier du Québec.  Registration number: 18 470 552 (list of September 14, 2011) and 18 530 421 (additionnal statement).        

  Please note that a fee is charged for copies of the list.

  • Accès Montréal and borough offices
  • Registre foncier du Québec
  
  
• Is the list of properties to be sold kept up to date?

  No, the published list of properties is not kept up to date. To find out if a property is still up for sale, please call 311 (island of Montréal) or 514 872-0311 (outside Montréal).

  The final list of properties to be sold for failure to pay back taxes will be distributed on the morning of the sale.

• What documents do I need to participate in the sale?

  Any person wishing to participate in the sale must produce proof of his or her identity (driver’s licence, Québec Medicare card, Canadian passport or any other official document containing the person’s photo).

  • If you are acting on behalf of another individual

  If you are acting on behalf of another individual, you must also produce a power-of-attorney signed by the person you are representing. Otherwise, you will be deemed to be acting on your own behalf.

  • If you are acting on behalf of a business entity (corporation)

  A person representing a business entity must produce the following documents:

  • A true copy of the resolution or bylaw adopted by the board of directors of the business entity designating you as its legal representative.

  And

  • A copy of the “attestation” mentioned in Section 81 of An Act respecting the Legal publicity of sole proprietorships, partnerships and legal persons issued by the Inspector General of Financial Institutions.

  • An Act respecting the Legal publicity of sole proprietorships, partnerships and legal persons
    
• What is the tax sale process?

  All interested parties should be present at Montréal’s City Hall at 8:30 a.m. on the day of the sale, so they can sign up and obtain a number. This will facilitate the work of city officials conducting the sale.

  An updated list of properties being put up for sale will be distributed, along with a copy of sale conditions. Anyone wishing to buy a property may consult the unofficial plan made available for further information.

  The tax sale starts at 10:00 a.m. A city official reads the terms of sale and then begins auctioning off the properties in the order in which they appear on the list.

  Please note that an owner can pay the outstanding balance at any time prior to the sale and the property in question will be removed from the list. Properties may, accordingly, be taken off the list at any time of the day.

  When a property is put up for sale, anyone wishing to bid must step up to one of the microphones and do so. Bidders must give their name, address, occupation and state if they are bidding for themselves, for another person or for a business entity.

  The property will, after three calls, be sold to the highest bidder.

  The buyer must at that time pay the full amount of his or her bid along with any applicable taxes (GST/QST), in cash, certified cheque or bank draft. Neither credit nor debit cards will be accepted.

  The city clerk (or the latter’s assistant) will then give the successful bidder a certification of sale by auction.

  Once a sale is finalized, the next property is auctioned.

  • sale conditions [31 KB - 3 pages]
    
• What forms of payment are accepted at a property tax sale?

  The buyer must pay the full amount of the bid:

  • In cash
  • By certified cheque
  • By bank draft

  CREDIT AND DEBIT CARDS ARE NOT ACCEPTED

• What happens if my certified cheque does not cover the exact amount?

  If a buyer only has a certified cheque for an amount greater than the auction price, the city will refund the difference within 10 days of the sale. However, the city will give the buyer a credit for that amount applicable to the purchase of any other property for the duration of the sale.

  Example: Mr. Gagnon has purchased a property for $10,000. He gives the city a certified cheque made out for $30,000, so the remaining credit of $20,000 can be applied to the purchase of other properties during the sale.

  Mr. Gagnon then buys another property for $7,000. The city reduces Mr. Gagnon’s credit by the same amount, leaving him $13,000, which will be refunded within 10 days.

  If the bidder is not able to pay for his purchase in full, he will be listed as a “false bidder” and the property will be immediately put up for sale again. The bidder is then personally liable for the difference between his bid and the sale price if the latter is less than the former.

  Example: Mr. Gagnon bids $30,000 for a property but does not have the amount with him needed to pay for it. The property is put up for sale again and auctioned to another buyer for $25,000. Mr. Gagnon thus owes the city $5,000—the difference between his bid and the sale price.