Is your property being sold?

Towns will be selling off properties for tax liens as small as $41, By Millie Guerrero Newton - Several townships have or will be selling properties that have liens held against them for non-payment of taxes and/or water and sewer utilities. The unpaid bills date back to December 2005, which allows potential buyers to bid for the properties beginning with the price that is currently owed to the town. These tax sales are required by the state and must be held annually, said Linda Roth, the Newton certified tax collector. “We’re governed by the state of New Jersey; by law each of the municipalities has to have one of these sales,” she said. A tax sale differs from a sheriff’s sale, because the properties in question have not been sold. A sheriff’s sale is the eviction of those who currently reside on a property after it has been purchase by another person or entity. Townships are required to provide legal notices before every tax sale to ensure that everyone has had an opportunity to view property listings. Some of the properties that have liens against them will be subject to a tax sale have bills as low as $41.22, as is the case with Jeffrey and Nancy Cannon. After several attempts, the Cannon’s were unreachable for comment regarding their minor utility bill, which can cost them their property in Newton Township. Owners who wish to keep their property may make full payment, including bills and fines incurred during 2006, through cash, certified check or money order up to one hour before the auction begins. “If the homeowner is paying (their bill), they are required to pay the 2005 balance and all of the interest costs and penalties for 2005 and 2006,” said Roth. Those interested in industrial properties may be subject to paying state required fees and fines regarding the environmental status of the property. State mandates include the Spill Compensation and Control Act, the Water Pollution Control act, and the Industrial Site Recovery Act. Also, any purchaser interested in buying an industrial lot must not have any affiliation with the current owner. The municipality will not issue a tax sale certificate to such buyers. The township of Newton will hold its tax sale at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 19. Other municipalities holding their tax sales include: Byram Township at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 26, and Sussex Borough at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6. According to Roth, the majority of Sussex County townships host their tax sales in early October, such as Sparta, Stanhope, Andover, Hardyston and Wantage. For more information about your municipalities tax sales and to see a listing of properties to be auctioned, contact your local tax collector or assessor. Township tax collectors Andover Borough Victoria Trogan 973-786-6221 Andover Twp Daryn Cashin 973-383-4280 ext 228 Byram Twp Lisa Spring 973-347-2500 ext 134 Newton Twp Linda Roth 973-383-3521 ext 239 Stanhope Borough Theresa Vervaet 973-347-0159 ext 12