Sheriff Sales

Sheriff Sales offer the public an opportunity to purchase properties through court-ordered foreclosure auctions. In Lucas County, sheriff sales are conducted online through the Official Public Sheriff Sale Website.

There are two types of sheriff sales:

• Mortgage Foreclosure Auctions (Wednesdays)

• Tax Foreclosure Auctions (Thursdays)

All bidders must create an account and comply with applicable registration, affidavit, deposit, and bidding requirements.

Mortgage Foreclosure Auctions

Mortgage foreclosure auctions involve properties being sold pursuant to a court order in a mortgage foreclosure case, typically filed by a lender when a borrower defaults on a mortgage loan. These sales are different from tax foreclosure sales, which are initiated due to delinquent property taxes.

Mortgage foreclosure auctions are conducted online on Wednesdays at 10:00 AM through the Official Public Sheriff’s Sale Website.

The Lucas County Sheriff’s Office administers all mortgage foreclosure sales, and the Treasurer is not involved. For complete information regarding registration, deposits, bidding procedures, and sale terms, please visit their website.

Tax Foreclosure Auctions

Beginning March 12 at 10:00 AM, Tax Foreclosure Auctions are conducted online as well. They are held monthly, on a date scheduled by the Sheriff’s Office (almost always the second Thursday). A second sale is held two weeks after the first for properties that did not sell at the first tax foreclosure auction of the month.

• All Bidders must register online at lucas.sheriffsaleauction.ohio.gov

• Deposit requirements are governed by Lucas County Common Pleas Court Local Rule 5.02(D)(1): Ten percent (10%) of the starting bid, with a minimum of $1,000 and a maximum of $5,000. The starting bid is the amount of delinquent taxes and costs. Deposits must be submitted electronically through the auction platform.

• All Bidders must submit a completed and notarized Delinquent Tax Affidavit no later than 10:00 AM on the Wednesday preceding the Thursday auction (at least 24 hours prior to the sale). Bidders who fail to timely submit the affidavit are not eligible to purchase property. Upload the completed and notarized affidavit here.

Required Affidavit for Tax Foreclosure Bidders and Purchasers

Pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 5721.19(J), any person intending to participate in an online Tax Foreclosure Sheriff’s Sale must complete and submit a Delinquent Tax Affidavit prior to the auction.

Deadline for Submission

The completed and notarized affidavit must be received by the Sheriff’s Office no later than 10:00 a.m. on the Wednesday preceding the scheduled Thursday auction (at least 24 hours prior to the sale).

Although the online auction platform may allow a bidder to place bids, a bidder who has not timely submitted a properly completed and notarized affidavit is not eligible to purchase property at a tax foreclosure sale.

If the successful bidder failed to timely submit the required affidavit, the Sheriff may move the Court to vacate the sale. Upon order of the Court, the deposit may be forfeited or otherwise disposed of as the Court directs.

Bidders are strongly encouraged to submit the affidavit well in advance of the deadline to ensure eligibility.

Purpose of the Affidavit

The affidavit confirms whether the bidder (or any pass-through entity associated with the bidder) owns property in any Ohio county on which delinquent taxes have been assessed and remain unpaid, or whether circumstances exist under R.C. 5721.19(J) that would permit the bidder to receive title notwithstanding such delinquency.

Accessing the Form

The Delinquent Tax Affidavit for individuals is here and for organizations is here. Bidders are strongly encouraged to complete and submit the affidavit well in advance of the deadline to avoid disqualification.

For questions regarding the affidavit requirement, please contact the Lucas County Sheriff’s Office at 419-213-4786.

Failure to Complete the Sale

If the successful bidder fails to timely pay the remaining balance due, refuses to complete the purchase, or otherwise fails to comply with the terms of sale (including submitting the affidavit), the Sheriff’s Office may move the Court to vacate the sale. Upon order of the Court, the purchaser’s deposit may be forfeited, applied toward costs, or refunded as determined by the Court. The purchaser may also be subject to additional court action as permitted by law.

Additional Information

• All properties are sold AS IS.

• The Sheriff’s Office does not guarantee clear title.

• Street addresses are provided for reference only.

• Certain parcels may be designated as nonproductive land (*) or abandoned land (†), which may affect bidding and resale eligibility.

For questions regarding Tax Foreclosure Sheriff Sales, please contact us here.