2020 Tax Sale set for September 28th, venue switch to Civic Centre Auditorium as part of Social Distancing process

This years City of Prince Rupert Tax Sale will take place at the
Auditorium of the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre

Would  be property speculators have ten days to scope out some local property set to be available at an upset price, as the City of Prince Rupert prepares to host its annual Notice of Tax Sale on Monday, September 28th.

Though what you see today, may not be on the final list by the end of the month, as the current owners have until the start of the Tax Sale on the 28th to settle their accounts, otherwise the list of properties will be up for public purchase.

The Tax Sale process normally sees a reduction in the properties for review as we near the deadline, that as property owners take care of their delinquent taxes.

However some properties may remain on the list as the 10 AM Tax Sale starts on the last Monday morning of September at Jim Ciccone Civic Centre.

That location makes for a shift from the usual Tax Sale location of City Hall, with the city making allowances for Social Distancing and other COVID related measures for this years sale.

Those with plans to attend the Tax Sale will be required to wear a mask, with the City to provide one for those who do not have their own. 

City Staff will be on hand to ensure that proper social distancing takes place during the Tax Sale event.

Doors will open at 930 AM on the 28th with the Sale starting at 10 AM. 

Those attending are to be admitted in order of their arrival and will also be required to provide their name and contact information upon entering the Civic Centre complex. 

The Tax Sale will be limited to a maximum of 45 attendees, that in order to comply with the Provincial Orders with respect to public gatherings. 

Anyone attending the Tax Sale who does not follow the directions of City Staff will be asked to leave the event.

The City decided to move forward with the Tax Sale this year back in July, though it was not a universally acclaimed decision by the council members at the time.

During the discussion of July, Councillor Niesh was the most adamant that the Tax Sale go ahead as planned, while Councillor Randhawa instead had outlined his preference for a break this year for property owners.

As of today, there was one vacant lot and eleven properties noted on the listings from the City of Prince Rupert website.

For those looking towards  a tour of the city seeking out the properties,  the list below provides your chart of properties available to date.

You can use the City's Go Map to locate and research the properties, as well as through the BC assessment site where an address search will provide you with some notes and photos on the subject properties.

Some notes on how the Tax Sale process from the City of Prince Rupert can be reviewed below:

The upset price is the minimum price acceptable and is the starting point for bidding during the sale. The highest bid above the upset price will be accepted. The successful bidder must pay by cash or certified cheque at the time of purchase. An information sheet is available at City Hall, Finance Department.

The municipality makes no representation express or implied as to the condition or quality of the properties being offered for sale. Prospective purchasers are urged to inspect the property and make all necessary inquiries to municipal and other government departments, and in the case of strata lots to the strata corporation, to determine the existence of any bylaws, restrictions, charges or other conditions which may affect the value or suitability of the property.

Purchasers should note that the TAX SALE is not final and that the purchase is subject to redemption by the owner up to September 28th, 2021.

The purchase of a TAX SALE property is subject to real estate taxes under the Property Tax Act on the fair market value of the property at the end the of redemption period.

The City's notice can be examined here.  

Further background on the Tax Sale process can be reviewed here.

Should you have any inquiries related to the process you can contact City Hall at 250-627-0964.

More items of note related to Taxation issues can be found from our Archive page here.