By Courtland Merkel
Special to the AFRO

Each year, thousands of Baltimore City residents are shocked to find their homes listed in the city’s annual tax sale. In 2025 alone, over 4,300 property liens were auctioned off – totaling more than $14 million in unpaid debt. If your home was on that list, don’t panic – but you should act fast. Fortunately, you can still redeem your home, even after the sale.

Courtland Merkel is a housing and consumer staff attorney at Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service. Credit: Courtesy photo

What is a tax sale and why does it matter?

A tax sale doesn’t mean your home was sold – but the debt attached to it was. The city uses tax sales to collect unpaid bills (like property taxes, water bills or environmental citations). If you owe as little as $750 on an owner-occupied home – or $250 on other properties – the city can place a lien on your home and sell that debt at auction.

The buyer doesn’t own your property. They own a certificate giving them the right to eventually try and take ownership if the debt isn’t paid off. But there’s still time to stop that from happening.

Step 1: Confirm if your property was affected

If your lien was sold, the city should have sent you a notice within 60 days of the May auction. If you have this notice, you can start the redemption process. If you think your home might have been sold, but you aren’t sure, you should contact the Baltimore City Department of Finance at 410-396-3987 or email them at BaltimoreCityCollections@BaltimoreCity.gov. You also can contact a legal services organization like Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (mvlslaw.org) to get clarity.

You can also check your property’s status at the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) Real Property website: https://sdat.dat.maryland.gov/RealProperty. At the bottom of the page, it will tell you if your property receives the Homestead Tax Credit that determines if your home is considered owner-occupied, which affects your timeline to act. 

Step 2: Start the redemption process

If your lien was sold, you can redeem the property by repaying the debt before the investor takes legal action. Here’s how:

During the Initial Redemption Period (within seven months for owner-occupied homes):

  • Pay the city the amount of the lien, interest and any new tax bills.
  • Confirm the exact amount owed by contacting the finance department or visiting Counter No. 2 in the Wolman Municipal Building.

After the Initial Period:

  • You’ll need to contact the certificate holder (the lien buyer). The city can give you their contact information.
  • Request a payoff statement from the lienholder showing all fees (e.g., court costs, attorney’s fees).
  • Pay the lienholder directly, then pay any remaining balance to the city.

The longer you wait, the more interest and fees build up. So, don’t delay.

Step 3: Watch the legal timeline

If you haven’t redeemed within nine months, the lienholder can file a lawsuit to take ownership of your property. You’ll receive two required notices – one 60 days before filing and another 30 days before. At this stage, you can still redeem, but you are running out of time.

Financial help is available

There are several programs that can help you save your home:

  • Baltimore City’s Tax Sale Deferral Program: May exempt you from next year’s tax sale. To find out if you’re eligible, contact the Baltimore City Tax Sale Ombudsman at 410-396-3000. This program typically runs from February to April.
    https://finance.baltimorecity.gov/tax-sale-exemption-program

Even if your lien was sold, you still have time to save your home. But every day counts. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Reach out now, get the facts and take action.