Tax Delinquent Property List: How to Get One by County

A tax delinquent property list is a list of properties whose owners are behind on property taxes. Counties keep this information as a public record, and investors use it to find owners who may want to sell before a tax sale. You can get the list three ways: ask the county directly, buy it from a data platform, or build it from tax sale notices.

This guide covers each method, what to ask for, how to clean the list and how to contact owners properly. Rules and timelines vary by state and county, so treat the details as general guidance.

Why tax delinquent owners are good leads

Unpaid property taxes are one of the clearer signs that an owner is under financial pressure or has lost interest in a property. Many of these properties are vacant, inherited or owned by out-of-area landlords. Owners often have equity, because tax delinquency is common on houses that are paid off. And there is a deadline: if taxes stay unpaid, the county can eventually sell a tax lien or the property itself. See tax lien vs. tax deed for how that works.

Method 1: Get the list from the county

The office that keeps the list is usually the county treasurer, tax collector or tax commissioner.

Search the county website for “delinquent tax list” or “tax sale list.” Many counties post it as a download.
If it is not posted, call or email the office and ask for the current delinquent real property tax roll in spreadsheet format.
If they ask for a formal request, submit a public records request. Some counties charge a fee, from a few dollars to a few hundred.
Ask for these fields: parcel number, property address, owner name, mailing address, amount owed, and the number of years delinquent.

County lists are the most accurate and current source, and far fewer investors bother to get them.

Method 2: Pull it from a data platform

Platforms such as PropStream, BatchLeads and DealSauce let you filter for tax delinquency or tax liens and combine it with other signals. This is faster and works across many counties, but the data can lag the county’s records, so expect some owners to have already paid.

Method 3: Use tax sale notices

Before a tax sale, counties publish the properties headed to auction, in a local newspaper or online. These owners are closest to losing the property and most likely to act, but timing is tight and state rules about contacting owners near a tax sale can be strict.

Clean and stack the list

Remove commercial properties, government-owned parcels and land if you only buy houses.
Prioritize owners two or more years behind and those with out-of-area mailing addresses.
Stack it against other lists such as vacancy, code violations and absentee owners. Owners who appear on several lists are your best leads. Our list stacking guide explains how.
Skip trace for phone numbers, since the mailing address on a delinquent parcel is often out of date.

How to contact tax delinquent owners

Direct mail to the mailing address is the standard first step, followed by calls where the law allows. Be straightforward: say you buy houses, that you noticed the property may have back taxes, and that you can pay them off at closing if they want to sell. Do not pretend to be from the county, and do not pressure anyone.

Follow Do Not Call and TCPA rules, and check your state’s laws on dealing with owners in tax or mortgage distress. Some states regulate what investors can say and sign when a property is close to a forced sale.

Before you make an offer

Confirm the full amount owed with the county, including penalties and any sold tax liens that need to be redeemed. Check for other liens with a title search, and use a title company to pay everything off at closing. Then run the deal through our MAO calculator.

For lists of owners behind on their mortgage rather than their taxes, see pre-foreclosure leads. For the full process from list to closing, read how to wholesale real estate.

Frequently asked questions

Is a tax delinquent list public record?

In most counties, yes. Property tax records are generally public, and many counties post delinquent lists online or provide them on request, sometimes for a fee.

How do I get a tax delinquent list for free?

Check the county treasurer or tax collector website for a posted list or upcoming tax sale list. If nothing is posted, ask the office or file a public records request.

How long can property taxes go unpaid?

It depends on the state. Some hold tax sales after about a year of delinquency and others wait several years, and many give owners a redemption period after the sale.

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