Properties sold at a tax sale

Properties in the District with taxes that have not been paid in the last three years are subject to tax sale on the last Monday in September.

How the tax sale auction works

Before the tax sale date, a list of properties that may be included in the sale is published in the North Shore News, twice within a 10-day period. The listing is subject to change, up to the time of the auction.

At the time of auction, property bidding begins with the 'upset price,' which is the total amount of:

  • all outstanding taxes, penalties, and interest
  • land title registration charges
  • a 5% tax sale cost charge
  • fees prescribed under the Land Title Act

The auction continues until the highest bid is received.

Things you should know

Each year's auction takes place at District Hall on the last Monday in September. If you plan to attend, you need to:

  • pre-register at District Hall
  • provide a bank draft payable to the District of North Vancouver for the maximum amount you will be spending at the auction
  • provide photo ID, occupation, contact information, social insurance number (individuals) or business number (corporations)

If you successfully purchased property, we'll deduct the successful bid price(s) from your provided bank draft, and refund the remaining balance within a week.

If you were unsuccessful at the auction, we'll return the bank draft to you.

If you are a successful bidder

You will not have the right to receive title or possession of the property until one year following the date of the tax sale.

During the one-year redemption period, the owner has the right to redeem the property from tax sale by remitting the full upset price, plus interest on the purchase price.

If the property is redeemed by the owner, you will receive the bid price plus interest at the prescribed rate. For income tax purposes, T5s will be issued on interest paid to the purchaser.

It is your responsibility to determine the condition or potential of the property, to ensure no material or unreasonable interference with its use or enjoyment. This includes reviewing:

  • registered covenants
  • restrictions
  • declarations of strata bylaws
  • zoning requirements

Are you a property owner facing a tax sale

If you are a property owner facing a tax sale, you can contact our office at 604-990-2488 or propertytax@dnv.org

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