Property Tax Sales 101

kc dyer
Sep 11
2 min read

Just what is a tax sale, anyway? (And can I lose my house?)

Over the past several weeks, the Village of Lions Bay has posted a number of notices in the Village Update announcing the possibility of property sales, due to taxes in arrears.

Being a property owner in British Columbia comes with a number of responsibilities, one of which is the payment of municipal taxes.

According to the Local Government Act, "At 10 a.m. on the last Monday in September, at the council chambers, the collector must conduct the annual tax sale by offering for sale by public auction each parcel of real property on which taxes are delinquent."

If one is required this year, the Tax Sale will take place on September 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Taxes are considered delinquent when they have not been paid in the time specified by the local municipality. If these taxes, along with any late penalties and interest owing, remain unpaid for three years, the property can be put up for sale by the municipality.

With regard to this year's sale, Lions Bay Financial Officer Joe Chirkoff says that seven property owners were delivered a letter two weeks ago reminding them of the amounts owing, and that most of the property owners have already paid up.

"This happens every year," Chirkoff says. "Last year we had five (property owners) and all settled their outstanding delinquent amounts, so no tax sale occurred."

Chirkoff says the Village is required to notify individual owners by mail 30 days in advance of the tax sale. According to the Community Charter, the Village can then issue a Public Notice which includes the legal address of the property in question, no more than 10 days prior to the tax sale.

"Any properties still delinquent by September 18 will be disclosed by Public Notice through the Village Update and in the North Shore News," he says.

What happens next?

If the homeowner is unable to pay the outstanding taxes, and the obligation to post these notices publicly has been fulfilled, the property is put up for sale by the municipality. According to a notice posted in the Village Update, the lowest price a property can sell for is the 'Upset Price'.

This figure is determined by adding up "all outstanding property taxes, plus all applicable penalties and interest, plus an additional 5% of all taxes, penalties and interest, plus all applicable Land Title Act fees."

For a year after the sale, the original owner can buy the property back for the Upset Price, plus any additional taxes and fees, as stipulated by the Local Government Act. After that time, it goes to the purchaser.

If you are concerned that you may not have paid your property taxes, you can access your account online through the Village's payment portal to see your balance.

Questions can also be directed to Chirkoff at: finance@lionsbay.ca