INSTRUCTIONS FOR ST. LOUIS COUNTY COLLECTOR’S REAL PROPERTY TAX SALE
AUGUST 28, 2023
The AnnualSt. Louis CountyRealProperty Tax Sale will be conducted by sealed bid. Only sealed bids will be accepted.
Potential bidders: please download, complete, and submit the notarized registration form to the Collector’s Office along with a current verifiable picture identification. We encourage all persons participating in the 2023 Annual Tax Sale to complete and return their registration form as soon as possible.
Once you have been registered, you will receive an email confirmation with your assigned bidder number and instructions on how to place a sealed bid. There will be no changes in registration made after the fact, except for a properly noted assignment of the certificate of purchase.
Upon receipt of your bidder number, you may submit sealed bids to the Collection Division’s drop box located in the street level lobby of 41 S. Central Avenue, Clayton MO 63105 Please be sure to clearly mark your envelope “Tax Sale Bid”.
The FINAL DEADLINE for submission is Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 5pm CST. No sealed bids will be opened by Collection Division staff until the close of business Wednesday, August 30, 2023, 5pm CST.
Handwritten Bid forms will not be accepted.
The winning bids will be published on St. Louis County’s website after the bid evaluation process has been completed and documented. ALL SALES ARE FINAL AND WILL BE MADE TO THE HIGHEST BIDDER. In compliance with Sections 140.150, 140.170, 140.290 RSMo, an additional fee of $27 will be added to all parcels sold at the time of sale to cover the costs of recording the certificate of purchase.
Section 140.190 RSMostates that the person“offering at saidsale topaythe requiredsumfor a tract shall be considered the purchaser of such land; provided, no sale shall be made to any person or designated agent who is currentlydelinquent on any tax payments on any property, other than a delinquency on the property being offered for sale, andwho does not signan affidavit stating suchat the time of sale. Failure to sign such affidavit as well as signing a false affidavit may invalidate such.
“Out-of-state buyers” must appoint a resident of St. Louis County as the non-resident’s agent and have filed notice of such appointment with the Collector, signed and notarized by the buyer, at the time of registration. All bidders must have some form of current state-issuedpicture identification. There willbe no changes in registrationmade after the fact, except for a properly noted assignment of the certificate of purchase.
The opening bids required for the sale of properties will be the total unpaid taxes and other necessary costs accrued against each property.
Persons bidding on properties are committed to their bids and payment must accompany the sealed bids. The Collector at his discretion mayaccept certified funds (cashier check, money orders or business checks if registered as a business).
Pursuant to Section 140.280 RSMo, County may institute legal action and impose a penalty covering 25% of the bid amount if a purchaser defaults on its bid.
Purchases in this tax sale do not transfer ownership until the redemption period ends (1 year for 1st and 2nd sales, a variable time on 3rd sales)and all deed issuance requirements are met. During this period, the purchaser’s rights only entitle said holder to a refund of their bid amount, subsequent taxes paid and allowed costs. Prorated interest is added at the yearly rate of 10% on taxes outstanding at the time of sale and 8% on subsequent taxes paid; Interest is not earned on any overbid amounts exceeding the opening bid at the sale per Section 140.340 RSMo; if redeemed, purchaser is notified of the redemption and County will refund the bid amount paid, plus interest, subsequent taxes, and eligible expenses.
PLEASE READ and adhere to Section 140.405 RSMo
If the property is redeemed, the person redeeming the property shall pay the costs incurred by the purchaser in providingnotice under Section140.405 RSMo. Recoverable costs on anyproperty sold at a tax sale shall include the title search, postage, and costs for the recording of any certificate of purchase issued and for recording the release of such certificate of purchase and all the costs of the sale required in sections 140.150 to 140.405 (Purchaser must submit copies of actual receipts to gain reimbursement).
Failure of the purchaser to comply with Section 140.405 RSMo shall result in such purchaser's loss of all interest in the real estate.
Deeds are issued after completion of these processes and require submission of all required paperwork and payment of all the applicable fees and any subsequently accrued delinquent taxes. Payment of all subsequent taxes and specialassessmentsinprogress will be the responsibility of the tax sale purchaser. Deed must be executed within 18 months of sale. Otherwise, purchaser loses all interest.
The Collector does not warrant the title generated by issuance of a Collector’s Deed. Per Section 140.330 RSMo, a quiet title suit may be brought bythe purchaser in a court ofjurisdictionto ultimately determine the status ofprior liens, deeds oftrust, and judgments. Failure to lawfully follow the above procedures and allothers found in Chapter 140 RSMo may result in the tax sale purchaser’s loss ofall interest in the purchased property, including all monies bid on the property and leave said purchaser liable for civil damages or criminal charges.