STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — New York City officials announced Thursday that they would delay a planned lien sale to give owners in the five boroughs more time to get their properties removed from the debt list.
Initially, the sale had been set for Tuesday with Monday the last day for corrections, but the Department of Finance update pushed the sale to June 3 with the last day for correction June 2.
“This extension gives New Yorkers more time to take action and get help,” said Finance Commissioner Preston Niblack. “We’re doing everything we can to connect property owners with payment options and support services to help them avoid the lien sale and stay in their homes. If you or someone you know is at risk, now is the time to reach out.”
New York City can put liens on people’s property for things like failure to pay property taxes, water and sewer charges, or other property-related costs owed to the city.
If those debts remain unpaid, they can eventually be sold to an authorized buyer, who has the right to collect. Liens sales mark one of the initial steps toward foreclosure.
Property owners at risk of a lien sale will receive notice. To correct the problems, they can pay what they owe, enter into a payment plan, apply for a property tax exemption, submit a Lien Sale Easy Exit Program application or submit an emergency repair certification.
Since March, Public Engagement Unit specialists have visited nearly 6,000 residences in an effort to spread word of the program. Teams have been out on city streets five days a week for the past nine weeks, particularly targeting older and disabled homeowners.
In addition to going door-to-door, the Public Engagement Unit has reached thousands through digital campaigns and phone outreach, according to the city.
Homeowners wishing to learn more about how to avoid the lien sale list and the options available to them are urged to visit nyc.gov/liensale.
