Property tax foreclosures

The tax foreclosure process on real property begins when any one tax, assessment, fee, or lien becomes a full three years delinquent. Properties in tax foreclosure are subject to sale at auction. This process is guided by state law. To remove your parcel from the foreclosure action, you must pay all taxes, fees, interest, penalties, and foreclosure costs.

King County holds its tax foreclosure auction in September of each year. These parcels are offered on a "where is" and "as is" basis. King County makes no guarantees or representation of warranty, express or implied, as to the condition of title to any property nor the physical condition of any property or its fitness for any use or purpose. Bidders are urged to do their own research on all potential purchases prior to the sale.

Note that a tax foreclosure is not the same as a mortgage or loan foreclosure. Those foreclosures are conducted by lenders when a property owner falls behind on their mortgage payments. Contact your bank, lender, or mortgage servicer for information on those foreclosures.

Key dates

February 2024: Tax statement sent. If three years delinquent, the parcel is now subject to foreclosure.

October 31, 2024: Last day to pay to avoid inclusion on the November 2024 filing.

November 2024: Filing of the summons and complaint along with the Certificate of Delinquency. This is the official start of the property tax foreclosure process for parcels that are delinquent for 2021 and prior years.

September 10, 2025: Sale date for the 2024 foreclosure cycle.