Tax Deed Sales
Tax Deed sales are administered by the Clerk's Office online at www.lake.realtaxdeed.com. Tax Certificates are sold yearly by the Tax Collector on properties with delinquent taxes. Upon request of the certificate holder for a tax deed sale, the certificate is forwarded to the Clerk and a Tax Deed Sale is held. The highest bidder will be issued a Tax Deed on the property. For additional information on Tax Deed sales, please see the Frequently Asked Questions provided below or visit our online tax deed auction website, www.lake.realtaxdeed.com
Tax Deed Sales Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a tax deed sale?
A tax deed sale is a public auction where property is sold to the highest bidder to recover delinquent property taxes.
- Who conducts the tax deed sale?
The Clerk's Office conducts the sale via public auction on the internet in accordance with Florida Statute 197.542.
- Where is the tax deed sale held?
- When is the tax deed sale held?
Tax Deed Sales are generally held several times per month on Tuesdays at 11:15 a.m. Check the online auction website, www.lake.realtaxdeed.com, for specific dates and times.
- Are the tax deed sales advertised in a newspaper?
Yes. Tax Deed Sales are advertised in The Daily Commercial. The contact number for The Daily Commercial is (352) 365-8200.
- Do I have to register with the Clerk's Office before the sale?
Yes. In order to participate in the sale, bidders must register at www.lake.realtaxdeed.com to get a username and password and place a valid deposit in U.S. Dollars with the Clerk’s Office. Bidders must be registered on the site the day prior to the sale. Deposits are required 1 – 4 business days prior to the sale depending on the method of payment. See below for additional deposit information.
- Is there a deposit required to bid on property at a tax deed sale?
Yes. A deposit of $200 or 5% of the winning bid, whichever is greater, is required for each item you anticipate winning at the sale. Deposits may be made via ACH, wire transfer, cash, cashier’s check or U.S. Postal money order. ACH payments must be initiated via the ACH (electronic check) payment wizard at www.lake.realtaxdeed.com at least four business days prior to the auction. Cash, cashier’s checks and U.S. Postal money orders must be delivered to the Clerk’s Office no later than 4:00PM the day prior to the sale. All payments must be in U.S. Dollars.
Be advised that wire transfer deposits must be received by the Clerk’s Finance Department no later than 4:00PM the day prior to the sale. In addition, any wire transfer fees for the receiving bank must be paid for at the time of the wire transfer by the bidder.
- What if I need additional information regarding a property being sold at a tax deed sale?
Additional information can be found on our website by clicking "Tax Deeds" under Record Searches on this web site's main menu. Once you have read and agreed to the disclaimer, you will be directed to a Tax Deed search screen where you may select various search criteria. After receiving your search results, click the certificate number to see additional information as well as view various documents pertaining to the certificate. Public Access terminals are also available for use in the Lake County Public Records Center.
- How do I find out if there are any liens or encumbrances on a property being sold at a tax deed sale?
An ownership and encumbrance report for each certificate is found in the tax deed file on our website. However, the Clerk's Office is not responsible for any discrepancies or omissions on this report and it is the responsibility of the buyer to research the property that he/she is interested in purchasing. Tax Deeds are sold AS IS on a BUYER BEWARE basis. Properties may be subject to additional taxes and/or liens.
- If I am the highest bidder at a sale, how long do I have to pay for the property?
If you are the successful bidder for property at a tax deed sale, full payment must be received by the Clerk's Office within 24 hours after the time of sale. Accepted forms of payment are cash, cashier’s check, U.S. Postal money order, payment from deposit balance and wire transfer.
- What if I am the highest bidder and I then choose not to purchase the property for any reason?
If full payment is not made within 24 hours after the time of the sale, your deposit will be forfeited. Additionally, if you are the high bidder and refuse to honor your bid for any reason, you may be barred from participating in Lake County’s tax deed sales.
- Where can I find information regarding the sale of tax certificates?
Any information regarding the sale of tax certificates must be obtained from the Lake County Tax Collector's Office whose contact number is (352) 343-9622 or visit the Tax Collector's Office at 320 W. Main St., Tavares.
- What does it mean for an owner to redeem a tax deed property?
To redeem a tax deed property means that the owner pays all current and delinquent taxes to the Tax Collector's Office and the property will no longer be going to sale.
- How do I know if a property has been redeemed before the sale date?
The status of properties scheduled for sale will be updated periodically on the online auction site, www.lake.realtaxdeed.com. Every effort is made to keep this information current. However, to check for last minute redemptions, you may contact a Tax Deed Clerk at (352) 253-2620 or 2621.
- What happens to property that is not purchased at the tax deed sale?
If a property goes up for bid at a tax deed sale and is not purchased, then the applicant holding the tax certificate is required to take the property. If the applicant is Lake County, then the land will go onto the Lands Available List. Land is available for purchase from the Lands Available List after it has been listed for 90 days. The purchase price is the opening bid plus any taxes and interest that has accrued on the property since it was placed on the list.