2025 NYC Tax Lien Sale: Less Than 60 Days Away

Editor’s note (updated May 14, 2025):

This blog post has been updated to reflect the NYC Department of Finance’s announcement that the 2025 lien sale has been postponed to June 3. Homeowners must take action by June 2 to remove their properties from the list.

🟠 Important Update (May 2025):

If your home is on NYC’s tax lien sale list and you live in a 1–3 family home or condo, you may qualify for NYC’s Easy Exit Program — a fast way to get removed from the list.

Download the Easy Exit form (PDF).

Anyone who needs help should visit homeownerhelpny.org/get-help or call 1-855-466-3456.

Share the news that free help is available to help homeowners remove their property from the lien sale list.

With the May 20, 2025 tax lien sale approaching, community advocates, legal professionals, and policymakers have a critical window to ensure that homeowners facing lien sales are aware of the options to resolve their lien debt.

Understanding the Tax Lien Sale’s Impact

Each year, unpaid property tax, sewer, and water debts are bundled into liens and sold to private collectors. This process disproportionately affects low- and moderate-income homeowners, seniors, and homeowners of color, exacerbating housing instability in historically marginalized communities.

Free assistance is available to help eligible homeowners avoid the financial consequences of a lien sale, which can lead to high fees, compounding interest, and even foreclosure.

While an interactive map shows progress in removing homeowners from the lien sale list so far, more outreach is needed to connect all affected community members to assistance before it’s too late.

Resources and Assistance Are Available

A citywide network of housing counselors and legal service providers is offering free support to help homeowners choose among the five available options to address their lien debt. Exemptions are available for seniors, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, yet many eligible homeowners remain unaware or face barriers in applying.

Organizations and community leaders can help spread spread awareness by directing homeowners to:

• Check the NYC Department of Finance’s website to determine if a property is on the lien sale list
• Explore available relief options and exemption programs on the same site
• Connect with free expert assistance at homeownerhelpny.org/get-help or by calling 1-855-466-3456

Community Engagement

New York City government agencies, elected officials, and community-based organizations are hosting and participating in resource events throughout the city that help remove homeowners’ properties from the lien sale list. In addition, the Center’s Homeowner Help Desk will provide in-person assistance to connect homeowners with expert housing counseling and legal assistance. View some of the events below this post.

To learn more about how the lien sale works, read our earlier post.

Events With In-Person Help

Friday, May 23, 2025
Sponsor: Queens Legal Services
89-00 Sutphin Blvd, 5th Floor; Jamaica, NY 11435
9:30am-3:30 pm
Event flyer

Friday, May 30, 2025
Sponsor: Queens Legal Services
89-00 Sutphin Blvd, 5th Floor; Jamaica, NY 11435
9:30am-3:30 pm
Event flyer