Quebec Tax Sales

[hoplite]

Hello Everyone,

I was wondering if you could provide me with information regarding Quebec tax sales. Are they similar to Ontario's or different?

Thanks

[Rob]

There is no provincial act governing Quebec tax property sales like the 2001 act for Ontario.  So no public auctions from my understanding.  Not sure how they enforce back property taxes at the municipal level, but I assume they need to go to a provincal court / judge before they are seized if they can get seized.

[Frank]

Sale of a property for unpaid municipal taxes is a recourse available to municipalities throughout the country.  In Quebec, the power is by virtue of the Quebec Municipal Code, the Cities and Towns Act (Quebec), and for the larger cities of Montreal and Quebec City - they have the power by virtue of their charters.

One very important difference exists in Quebec (from the rest of Canada - besides being in a different language), is that the original owner has a period of time (I believe it to be a year) from the date of the sale to redeem the property.  If you were the successful purchaser in a tax sale you would receive what is referred to as 'precarious ownership'.  I don't know what you would do during that year in terms of maintenance and improvements to your asset, or insuring it against damage - you've paid your money for it, and if you invest in it the previous owner can still step forward and claim it back.  Only in Quebec - go figure.