New York · County tax sales & foreclosures
Erie County, NY Tax Sale: How It Works & Official Source
No upcoming Erie County tax sale in our calendar. Every date links to the official source, with the day we last checked it.
Last verified Nov 1, 2026
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How New York tax sales work
New York has no investor lien: the county (or another government office) sells the property itself, and the buyer generally takes title once the sale is final, subject to the state's rules on confirmation and any remaining redemption rights.
How the auction is won: In rem foreclosure by the county or city, then public auction of the property to the highest bidder. Redemption period: Generally 2 years after the lien date, or a later date set in the foreclosure notice (RPTL §1110); then the property is sold.
Recent change (L.2024, ch. 55, Part BB (April 2024; applies to sales on or after May 25, 2023)): Former owners and lienors can claim surplus from tax-foreclosure sales: the enforcing officer must determine any surplus within 45 days of the sale (RPTL §1196) and claims are filed with the court (RPTL §1197); a public-auction price is accepted as full value.
Sources: N.Y. RPTL §1110 · §1196 · §1197
Erie County sale office
- Run by
- Erie County Director of Real Property Tax Services, as Referee (county in rem auctions for the towns and villages). The City of Buffalo runs its own In Rem auction (Departments of Assessment & Taxation and Law; the Treasury director is the enforcing officer/referee); Lackawanna and the City of Tonawanda collect their own taxes
- Usual timing
- County: one in-person auction a year in late summer (Aug 26, 2026 covered In Rem 172 and 173). The In Rem 174 auction is 'anticipated as soon as practical in 2027' (no date yet). Buffalo: In Rem 56 auction tentatively March 23-25, 2027 per the City's FAQ (not yet noticed)
- Venue
- County 2026 auction: in person, Buffalo Convention Center, 153 Franklin St, Room 101 (9am, registration 8am). Buffalo 2027 venue and format: Not verified yet
Not a lien sale: the county (or the City of Buffalo) forecloses in rem after the redemption deadline and auctions the property itself. Owners can't bid on their own property. Since L.2024 ch.55 Part BB, former owners can claim any surplus (RPTL 1196-1197). The 2026 county auction was Aug 26, 2026.
Towns that run their own sales
City of Buffalo ↗buffalony.gov
Own In Rem foreclosure (In Rem 56, 2023-and-prior taxes, sewer rent and user fees). Redemption deadline was Aug 28, 2026; auction tentatively March 23-25, 2027 per the City FAQ (not confirmed, not on our calendar). No City investor tax lien sale found on official pages. Surplus claims are filed with the Erie County Clerk
City of Lackawanna ↗www3.erie.gov
Enforces its own taxes (Lackawanna Tax Collector, per the county FAQ). Sale details: Not verified yet
City of Tonawanda ↗www3.erie.gov
Enforces its own taxes (City Treasurer, per the county FAQ). Sale details: Not verified yet
Last verified Nov 1, 2026 · Official page: www3.erie.gov ↗
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Not legal advice. LienDesk is a research tool. This page summarizes public records and statutes for general education; it is not legal, tax or investment advice. Laws, dates and terms change, so confirm everything with the county, the trustee or sheriff running the sale, and a licensed attorney before you bid.