Foreclosure

Habitual nonpayment of taxes and failure to take advantage of our office’s payment programs could, in the end, result in foreclosure. The property may be foreclosed on directly by Portage County, a lien holder (like TaxEase Ohio LLC or FIG Taxes), or an entity acting under authority of the government like the Portage County Land Reutilization Corporation (or “Land Bank”).

When the Treasurer’s Office moves to foreclose, it does so through the Portage County Prosecutor. The Treasurer holds the state’s first and best lien against real property in the county, and thus has the first right to any proceeds generated via foreclosure sale. The policy rationale for this is simple – the county and its various subdivisions rely on tax proceeds to provide basic services for all residents. For that reason, and for our collective good, the county is first in line to collect.

If a third party lien holder like forecloses, the county’s interest has already been satisfied (via tax lien sale). For that reason, the county rarely gets involved in sales of this kind. That said, if subsequent unpaid taxes have accrued, the county may intervene, and in that case the county’s interest is again first and best.

Lastly, where a property has been forfeited or sits unoccupied, a political subdivision may request foreclosure through the Land Bank. This process allows the county to return property to productive use by holding, or “banking,” the property until it can be sold.