Tax Liens
A tax lien means the City says money is owed on your property.
This can happen if you owe property taxes, water or sewer charges, or some other City charges. If the debt is not paid or fixed, the lien may be sold, and that can put your home at risk.
Tax Liens
What is a tax lien?
A tax lien is a legal claim against your home because money is owed. For NYC homeowners, this can happen when certain bills are not paid on time, including:
property taxes
water or sewer bills
charges for work done by the City, such as emergency repairs, seal-ups, demolitions, or lot cleanups
If the debt is not paid, the City may sell the lien to a private company that collects the debt. New fees and interest may be added. The debt can keep growing until it is resolved.
What should I do right away?
If you get a lien sale notice:
do not ignore it
open every notice
check what kind of debt you owe
act before the deadline on your notice
call the right agency to ask about your options
get help before you sign up for a payment plan or agree to anything you do not understand
Am I at risk?
You may be at risk if you are behind on:
property taxes
water or sewer bills
certain repair charges or other City charges
The rules can be confusing. You may still be at risk even if you did not receive a notice, or if you are not sure whether you qualify for an exemption or payment plan.
It also helps to check your property tax account and water account so you know what the City says you owe.
How do I avoid being placed on a future lien sale list?
There are a few ways to protect your home:
Pay the debt in full
You may be able to pay your:
property taxes to DOF
water and sewer charges to DEP
Other options may be available if you cannot pay the full amount.
Apply for an exemption
Some homeowners may qualify for exemptions, including:
older adults
people with disabilities
veterans
active military members
An exemption may lower your property taxes. It may also help some homeowners avoid a future lien sale.
Start a payment plan
Some homeowners may be able to set up a payment plan with the City. A payment plan can help you spread payments out over time.
Before you sign up, make sure you understand:
how much you must pay
when payments are due
whether interest will still be added
what happens if you miss a payment
Submit an Emergency Repair Certification
If the debt came from certain HPD emergency repair charges, you may be able to submit an Emergency Repair Certification.
This may help if the charge is connected to work the City says it did on your property.
Ask about PT AID
PT AID stands for Property Tax and Interest Deferral.
PT AID may help some homeowners delay part of what they owe in property taxes or pay a smaller amount based on their income. This program is for homeowners who meet the rules.
Before you sign up, make sure you understand:
how much interest you will owe
whether you must renew the plan each year
what happens if you sell or transfer the home
whether this is the best option for your situation
What else should I know?
If your debt is only for water or sewer charges
If the problem is only water or sewer debt, call DEP right away. Ask about your payment options and what you need to do to avoid the lien sale.
Talk to your mortgage company carefully
Your mortgage company may offer help, but do not agree too fast.
A new plan could raise your monthly payment. If you have a reverse mortgage, unpaid property taxes may put your home at risk even faster. Get advice before you sign anything.
Where can I get help?
You may still have options. The sooner you act, the better your chances of protecting your home.
For help:
call 311 for unpaid property taxes and DOF issues
call DEP for water and sewer charges
contact HPD if the debt is from emergency repairs or other HPD charges
contact Homeowner Help Desk for free housing or legal help
The Homeowner Help Desk can connect you to trusted help. We can help you understand your notice, figure out what kind of debt is listed, and connect you to the right next step.
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