London Ontario Tax Lien & Foreclosure Guide

Taxation and Finance Ontario 4 Minutes Read · published February 12, 2026 Flag of Ontario

In London, Ontario, unpaid property taxes can lead to a municipal tax lien and eventual tax sale or foreclosure processes that affect owners and lenders. This guide explains how tax arrears become a lien, the municipal and provincial steps that can lead to a tax sale, how to redeem or appeal, and where to get official help in London. It highlights key deadlines, enforcement roles, and practical actions owners and representatives should take to protect property rights and limit added costs.

How tax liens and tax sales arise

Municipalities in Ontario register a tax lien on a property when taxes are unpaid and may proceed to a tax sale under the statutory scheme in the Municipal Act or related provincial statute; the City of London administers tax collection and sales through its Revenue Services functions [1][2].

Typical timeline and triggers

  • Tax billing and due dates: property tax bills are issued annually or semi-annually; unpaid amounts move to arrears and are subject to collection actions.
  • Notice and demand: municipalities send notices and may issue a final notice before registering a lien.
  • Registration of tax arrears certificate: once processed, arrears are registered against title and can lead to tax sale proceedings.
  • Tax sale or foreclosure: if arrears remain unpaid, the municipality may offer the property for tax sale under provincial law.
Contact Revenue Services as soon as you miss a payment to discuss options.

Penalties & Enforcement

The statutory framework for collection, remedies, and sale is set out in the Municipal Act and implemented by the City of London through its tax collection practices. Specific monetary penalties, interest rates, and added costs for tax sale administration are set by statute or municipal practice and should be confirmed with Revenue Services; amounts or specific dollar fines are not specified on the cited city pages or provincial statute summary and therefore are "not specified on the cited page" where applicable [1][2]. Current authoritative law is the Municipal Act, 2001, and City of London tax information; where a page does not list a figure this guide states that fact explicitly.

Escalation and continuing offences

  • Interest and costs: municipalities commonly add interest to unpaid taxes and recover administrative costs; exact rates and calculation methods should be confirmed with the City of London (not specified on the cited page).
  • From notice to sale: escalation moves from notices to registration to sale; timelines and the number of notices are governed by statute and municipal practice.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: the municipality may obtain orders, register liens, seize proceeds of sale, and pursue court confirmation of sales.
If you receive a tax arrears notice, act quickly to avoid cumulative costs.

Enforcer, inspections and complaint pathways

  • Enforcing office: City of London Revenue Services or the municipal tax office administers collections and tax sales; contact details are available via the city website [1].
  • Complaint or query: submit inquiries or appeals to Revenue Services using the official contact and forms listed by the City.
  • Court actions: where disputes arise, parties may apply to the Superior Court for remedies related to the sale or title; timelines for court challenges depend on statutory and court rules (not specified on the cited page).

Appeals, review and time limits

  • Appeal routes: statutory redemption rights, court review of sale procedures, and municipal review processes may be available; precise time limits for appealing a tax sale or redeeming after registration should be verified with Revenue Services or legal counsel (not specified on the cited page).
  • Redemption period: redemption rights and deadlines are governed by statute and municipal practice and must be checked with the City of London.

Defences and discretion

  • Common defences: payment errors, disputes over assessed taxes, mortgage priority questions, or procedural irregularities in the sale process.
  • Discretionary relief: municipalities may exercise discretion in collection timing, but statutory steps limit that discretion.

Applications & Forms

The City of London posts official forms and contact instructions for tax inquiries and tax payment options on its website; specific form names or numbers for redeeming a property from a tax sale are not consistently published on the summary pages and therefore are "not specified on the cited page"—contact Revenue Services for the precise form, fee and submission method [1].

Action steps for owners and lenders

  • Verify amounts due: obtain an official tax certificate or statement from City of London Revenue Services.
  • Pay or arrange payment: settle arrears or enter an arrangement to stop escalation.
  • Request official forms: ask the city for redemption or payment forms and fee schedules.
  • If sold, seek legal advice promptly about court review and redemption options.

FAQ

How can I find out if my property has a tax lien?
Request a tax certificate or contact City of London Revenue Services; the city’s tax pages list contact options and procedures [1].
Can I stop a tax sale after a notice is issued?
Often by paying arrears including interest and costs or by arranging a payment plan; exact rights and deadlines depend on statute and municipal practice and should be confirmed with Revenue Services.
Who enforces tax sales in London?
City of London Revenue Services administers tax collection and tax sale processes under provincial statute and municipal practice [2].
Keep records of all payments and communications with the city to support redemption or appeal.

How-To

  1. Obtain an official tax statement or certificate from City of London Revenue Services to confirm arrears and charges.
  2. Pay arrears in full or negotiate a payment arrangement immediately to halt escalation.
  3. If a tax sale notice issues, request the redemption form and confirm the redemption deadline with the city.
  4. If a sale proceeds, consult a lawyer about court remedies and confirmation procedures without delay.
Delays in addressing tax arrears can increase costs and reduce legal options.

Key Takeaways

  • Act early: missing payments can lead quickly to liens and tax sale processes.
  • Use City of London Revenue Services for official statements and forms.
  • Legal advice is essential if a sale or court confirmation occurs.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] City of London - Property Taxes and Revenue Services
  2. [2] Government of Ontario - Municipal Act, 2001

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