City Of New Bedford To Auction Tax Liens Next Month

The City of New Bedford is pushing ahead to sell off several hundred tax liens because of non-payment of taxes.

Tax Title attorney Blair Bailey says the auction should surprise none of the property owners. "By the time we get to that auction in May, whoever the owner of record of the property is would have gotten by my count six different notices and two ads in the paper that this was going to happen."

The auction is scheduled for May 16th at 10am at City Hall, but property owners have until that date to work out a payment plan with the city.

"If you come into the Tax Title Office and you enter into the payment plan to make installment payments on your back taxes, your property is pulled from the lien auction," said Bailey.

Bailey expects the properties to be sold in bulk to one of several companies who specialize in such purchases. They will then try to collect the back taxes, along with 16% interest.

Bailey says the city will pocket about $5 million with the sale of the tax liens.