Since the Adams administration and City Council implemented the most comprehensive overhaul of New York City’s tax lien sale process since its inception nearly three decades ago, we want to ensure all New Yorkers are informed about the expanded resources and new protections available to help them to stay in their homes —especially as the deadline for this year’s lien sale on May 20 quickly approaches.
If you’re at risk of being included in the upcoming lien sale, you will have received warning notices by mail at 90, 60, 30, and 10 days prior to the sale date. Receiving one of these notices means it’s critical to take action by May 19, 2025, to resolve your property taxes, water and sewer charges, and other property-related charges.
The good news is that, thanks to recent reforms, there are now more options than ever to help you avoid the sale and protect your property. We encourage you to visit nyc.gov/liensale to learn more. Owners can also get help from the Center for NYC Neighborhoods, a nonprofit organization that connects owners to high-quality housing counseling and legal services, free of charge. The Center partners with local community-based organizations serving owners in all five boroughs. You can contact the Center by calling 646-786-0888 or by visiting their website: https://cnycn.org/get-help
In recent months, the Department of Finance, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development, the Department of Environmental Protection, the Mayor’s Public Engagement Unit, and the Center for NYC Neighborhood have joined forces to ramp up outreach in neighborhoods where owners are most at risk of being included in the tax lien sale. Our efforts have included hosting dozens of public events, canvassing in communities door-to-door, and connecting directly with thousands of homeowners and tenants through mail, email, texts, and phone calls.
Our goal is simple: to ensure that property owners who are able to pay their taxes and other municipal charges do so, and to support those who are struggling by connecting them with the resources they need to resolve their debt.
Through these efforts, we’ve already helped thousands of vulnerable New Yorkers access the City’s new relief programs. But we’re working to reach even more owners who may still be at risk and in need of support, ensuring they’re fully informed about the expanded options now available to help them stay in their homes and avoid inclusion in the lien sale.
For property owners, we have introduced a range of expanded resources to provide meaningful support for those facing financial hardship. One of the key new offerings is the Easy Exit Program, which gives homeowners additional time to resolve outstanding water or property debts and avoid being included in the lien sale. In addition to this extended timeline, the City is also providing access to affordable payment plans, property tax exemptions, and other forms of targeted assistance. These tools are designed to make it easier for homeowners—especially those in low-income communities and communities of color—to protect their homes and stay on track with their property-related obligations. For those that only owe water and sewer debt, there are additional flexible payment plan options available to resolve your debt and avoid the sale. More information on those are available on the DEP website at https://www.nyc.gov/site/dep/pay-my-bills/how-to-pay.page#
For homeowners overwhelmed by unmanageable tax debt and facing displacement, a new housing preservation initiative offers a compassionate and community-centered solution. It gives eligible owners the option to transfer their property to a trusted, qualified organization dedicated to preserving long-term affordability. This approach not only clears existing debt but also allows residents to remain in their homes under a stable, affordable lease that can be inherited by future generations—protecting families and stabilizing neighborhoods.
Equally important, we’re working to protect tenants by holding landlords accountable for the condition of their properties. The Department of Housing Preservation and Development is actively inspecting rental buildings with a history of repeated property tax delinquency, with the goal of improving living conditions and ensuring that property owners uphold both their financial responsibilities and their duty to provide safe, affordable housing.
In this pivotal moment, the City is committed to using every available tool to keep New Yorkers in their homes and ensure that housing remains stable, affordable, and equitable across all communities. Whether you’re a homeowner struggling with debt or a tenant living in a building with persistent issues, expanded resources and stronger protections are now in place to support you. For owners time is of the essence—if you’ve received a warning notice, don’t wait. Reach out before May 19, get informed, and take advantage of the many new programs designed to help you avoid the lien sale and safeguard your home. Together, we can build a fairer, more supportive system that puts vulnerable New Yorkers first and preserves the communities that make our city strong.
