Tax Sale
The next Tax Sale will take place in June 2025.
An information package on each property up for sale will be available. The package includes a property description (Schedule A to the Deed) as well as a map obtained from Property Online (Access Nova Scotia).
Prospective bidders are encouraged to do their own research prior to arriving at the sale. The following links may be of assistance (Note: you will need the Assessment Account Number (AAN) for the property you are researching):
- Property Valuation Services Corporation (PVSC) – Look up property assessment information using the Assessment Account Number through PVSC.
- Municipal Government Act (MGA) – Interested bidders are encouraged to seek independent legal advice on the tax sale process. PART VI of the MGA deals with Tax Collection and Tax Sale law.
- East Hants Interactive Mapping Tool – Using either the AAN or complete address of the property, various mapping information is available through our Interactive Mapping Tool.
Information for Prospective Bidders will be made available and should be reviewed prior to the sale. To aid in the registration process, anyone planning on bidding at the tax sale should fill out a Bidder Registration Form prior to arrival. Please arrive 20 minutes prior to the sale to provide sufficient time to register.
The Municipality of the District of East Hants makes no representations or warranties to any purchaser regarding the boundaries, the fitness, geophysical or environmental suitability of the land(s) offered for sale for any particular use. Properties are being sold on an “as is” basis only.
Terms:
- The lesser of minimum bid, or amount of taxes, interest and cost owing. The amount advertised to be paid at the time of sale by cash, money order, certified cheque from the bank (will not be accepted if not certified), Irrevocable letter of Credit, or lawyer’s trust cheque.
- Any applicable Deed Registration, fees and the balance of your bid is to be paid within three (3) business days after the sale.
- If you intend on bidding on multiple properties please prepare a separate minimum bid payment for each property.
Title:
- Tax sales may not clear up defects in title, a tax sale is intended to collect overdue taxes.
- If you are intending to clear up defects in the title of your property by way of a Tax Sale, you are advised to obtain a legal opinion as to whether or not this can be done.
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- A tax deed conveys only the interest of the assessed owner, whatever that interest may be.
NOTE: For properties with less than 6 years taxes owing, the redemption period is 6 months, by the Municipal Government Act, Section 152.
Advertisement of 2024 Properties:
- The first advertisement has been noted in the Chronicle Herald on April 3, 2024
- The second advertisement will be noted in the Chronicle Herald on May 1, 2024
Posting of 2024 Properties:
- The first posting of these properties will be done by April 4, 2024
- The second posting of these properties will be done by May 1 and/or May 2, 2024
Website Tips:
- If a property that you are interested in is missing the Schedule ‘A’ it may be a mobile home. Please contact Brian Enfield if you have any questions.
- If a property has been paid in full you should see “CANCELLED” somewhere in the vicinity of where the Assessed Owner is noted.
Terms: Payment of Cash, Certified Cheque, Money Order, Bank Draft, Irrevocable letter of Credit or Lawyers Trust Cheque and not otherwise. Purchaser at Tax Sale shall immediately pay the purchase price or deposit an amount equal to the taxes, interest and expenses, or the minimum bid amount if stated for a property in this notice. The balance of the purchase price, if any, must be made within three (3) business days of the sale. All properties sold at Tax Sale may be subject to HST charges, which will be collected from the successful bidder on top of the final bid price. Purchaser will be required to provide HST Registration number at the time of sale where applicable.
TAKE NOTICE that Tax Sales do not in all circumstances clear up defects in title. A tax deed conveys only the interest of the assessed owner, whatever interest that might be. If you are intending to clear up defects in the title of your property by way of a Tax Sale, you are advised to obtain a legal opinion as to whether or not this can be done. You are advised that the recoverable costs of a Tax Sale can be considerable.
A person with an interest in land sold for taxes may apply to the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia for an order directing the payment of all, or part, of the surplus balance to that person (Section 147 of the Municipal Government Act). Tax Sale Surplus funds can only be withdrawn after any applicable redemption period has expired.
