• What is a tax deed sale?
• Who conducts the tax deed sale?
• Where is the tax deed sale held?
• When is the tax deed sale held?
• Are the tax deed sales advertised in a newspaper?
• Do I have to register with the Clerk's Office before the sale?
• Is there a deposit required to bid on property at a tax deed sale?
• What if I need additional information regarding a property being sold at a tax deed sale?
• How do I find out if there are any liens or encumbrances on a property being sold at a tax deed sale?
• If I am the highest bidder at a sale, how long do I have to pay for the property?
• What if I am the highest bidder and I then choose not to purchase the property for any reason?
• Where can I find information regarding the sale of tax certificates?
• What does it mean for an owner to redeem a tax deed property?
• How do I know if a property has been redeemed before the sale date?
• What happens to property that is not purchased at the tax deed sale?

ALL BIDS MUST BE IN INCREMENTS OF $100 OR MORE. INCREASES OF LESS THAN $100 WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.

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For additional information, refer to these topics:

• Fees
• Recording Department
• Office Location and Phone Number
• Online Court Records
• Online Official Records
• Online Tax Deeds
• Public Sales Calendar
• Download/Open: Guidelines for Tax Deed Sales.pdf

• 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 tax deed sale is conducted by a deputy clerk of the Lake County Clerk of the Circuit Court in accordance with Florida Statute 197.103.

• Where is the tax deed sale held?
  The tax deed sale is held in the Tax Deed Conference Room 114 of the Lake County Public Records Center located at 122 E. Main St., Tavares.
  
• When is the tax deed sale held?
  Tax Deed Sales are generally held several times per month on Tuesdays at 11:15am. Check the Public Sales Calendar 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, please arrive a few minutes prior to the start of the sale to register. As part of the registration process, you must have proper identification, such as a driver's license, in order to have your signature notarized. All prospective bidders must register in order to bid at the tax deed sale.

• Is there a deposit required to bid on property at a tax deed sale? 
  Per Florida Statute 197.542(2), the Clerk's Office will collect a non refundable $200 cash deposit from the highest bidder at the time of the sale. This deposit will be applied to the sale price when full payment is made.  If full payment is not received within 24 hours of the tax deed sale, the deposit will be forfeited.
  
• 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 the "Tax Deeds" icon under Quick Links on the homepage. 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 "View" under the Detail column 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.
  
• 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 of the sale. Accepted forms of payment are cash and cashier's checks.

• What if I am the highest bidder and I then choose not to purchase the property for any reason?
  If you are the highest bidder and you do not honor your bid for any reason, you may be barred from bidding at any future tax deed sales in Lake County.
  
• 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.

• 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?
  Properties listed on the Public Sales Calendar will be crossed out and "Redeemed" will be posted beside them to indicate that the property is no longer going to sale. The Tax Deed Clerks will make every effort to keep this information current. However, to check for last minute redemptions, you may wish to contact a Tax Deed Clerk at (352)253-2621.

• 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.