Learn how to bid on properties available for sale by the City of Toronto as a result of unpaid property taxes.

The sale is governed by the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Toronto Tax Sales Rules (Regulation 579/06).

Receipt of Tender

  • All received tenders are time stamped and are held unopened in a secure location.
    • Where two or more tenders are equal, the tender that is received first is deemed the higher tender.

Withdrawal of Tender

  • To cancel a tender, a written request must be received before the designated time set by the City.

Opening of Tender

  • The City will open sealed tenders at a designated time set by the City.

Rules

  • All tenders are opened and reviewed.
  • Tenders that do not meet the tender requirements are rejected.
  • Of the remaining tenders, the City shall reject all but the highest and second-highest tenders.
  • Rejected bids will be returned with the deposit to the tenderer. Returns will be processed no sooner than one week following the tax sale.
  • The City will notify the highest tenderer by ordinary mail, that they will be declared the successful purchaser provided.
    • The balance of the amount tendered plus accumulated taxes, relevant municipal and provincial land transfer tax, and applicable HST is received by the City within 14 days from the date the City mails the notification.
      • Failure to make payment in full by the designated time period results in the deposit being forfeited; the City will offer the parcel of land to the remaining highest tenderer for purchase, with the same time and payment requirements as outlined above.
      • The successful purchaser must retain a lawyer to complete the transaction of sale with the City.

All prospective purchasers are strongly advised to review the detailed requirements of the City of Toronto Act, 2006 and the Toronto Tax Sale Rules (Regulation 579/06) with a lawyer prior to submitting a tender.

A completed Tender to Purchase form obtained within the Tender Package or Government of Ontario Central Forms Repository 2215e along with a deposit of 20 per cent of the tender amount is required by way of:

  • a certified cheque
  • bank draft
  • money order

Payable to:

Treasurer, City of Toronto

Note: A separate Tender to Purchase form must be submitted for each property and be typewritten or legibly handwritten in ink.

Tenderers are advised to submit the completed Tender to Purchase form, along with the deposit in a sealed envelope addressed to the Treasurer, City of Toronto. Envelope should be labelled with a brief description of the land or municipal address and indicate that it’s for the tax sale of that land.

Packages may be dropped off in the tender box at Revenue Services, Lower Level, North York Civic Centre open from Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Address packages as:

Treasurer, City of Toronto
Revenue Services, Manager Revenue Accounting and Collections
North York Civic Centre
5100 Yonge Street, Lower Level
Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5V7

There are no properties available for sale by public tender at this time.

Tender packages are available at:

Revenue Services, Inquiry & Payment Counter
North York Civic Centre
5100 Yonge Street, Lower Level
Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5V7
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

A tender package includes:

    • instructions
    • a copy of the advertisement
    • Tender to Purchase form (pre-populated with property specific information)
    • return envelope

Fee: $45

A copy of the Tender to Purchase form 2215e alternatively can be obtained at the Government of Ontario Central Forms Repository under the listing for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Once the Sale of Land by Public Tender has concluded, staff will notify you when your tender is ready for pick-up starting 5 to 10 business days after the sale date.

For in-person tender pick-up, visit:

Revenue Services, Inquiry & Payment Counter
North York Civic Centre
5100 Yonge Street, Lower Level
Toronto, Ontario, M2N 5V7
Monday to Friday
8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Please call the Collections Unit phone number at 416-395-0174 when you are at the North York Civic Centre.

Required Identification

  • Valid Government issued photo identification is required.
    • Ontario Driver License (preferred, shows address)
    • Ontario Photo Card
    • Canadian Passport
    • Canadian Permanent Resident Card
    • If applicable:
      • Articles of Incorporation
      • Signed letter of authorization

Expired personal identification or documents are not accepted.

Government issued identification that does not include an address or the address listed on the submitted tender is not the same, additional verification is required. May include one or more of the following:

    • Utility bill addressed to you, showing the mailing address (e.g. hydro, gas, property tax or utility bill)

The City of Toronto will not release any rejected tenders to third party representatives without documented authorization from the tenderer.

Examples of required identification/documentation to release a tender

Some samples of required documentation:

Name on tender form Deposit cheque/draft signed by Documents Required for Tender Release
Jane Sample Jane Sample
  • Government issued photo identification
  • Document to confirm address
1234567 Ontario Inc. 1234567 Ontario Inc.
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Government issued photo identification
  • And/or, if multiple owners – a letter of authorization on company letterhead with all stakeholders signatures are required
  • Document to confirm address
1234 Ontario Inc. Jane Sample
  • Articles of Incorporation
  • Government issued photo identification
  • Document to confirm address
Jane Sample

John Sample

Joseph Sample

Jane Sample

John Sample

Joseph Sample

  • Government issued photo identification
  • If a single tenderer arrives for pick-up of tender, a letter of authorization signed by all parties will be required
  • Document to confirm address
  • If all tenderers are present for pick up, the identification of all individuals will be required. The address of one individual must match the tender document
Jane Sample Jane Sample

John Sample

Joseph Sample

  • Government issued photo identification.
  • If a single tenderer arrives for pick-up of tender, a letter of authorization signed by all parties will be required
  • Document to confirm address
  • If all tenderers are present for pick up, the identification of all individuals will be required. The address of one individual must match the tender document
Jane Sample

John Sample

Joseph Sample

Jane Sample
  • Government issued photo identification
  • If a single tenderer arrives for pick-up of tender, a letter of authorization signed by all parties will be required
  • Document to confirm address
  • If all tenderers are present for pick up, the identification of all individuals will be required. The address of one individual must match the tender document

 

For inquiries, call the Property Tax and Water Collection line at 416-395-0174.

For more information on the property tax collection process, go to Late Tax Bill Payments.