Power to sell (California)

The California tax collector's power to sell property that has been tax-defaulted for five years (three for some commercial property).

In California, "power to sell" is the point at which the county tax collector can sell a property for unpaid property taxes. Taxes still unpaid on July 1 put a property in tax default. Five years later (three for some nonresidential commercial property), it becomes subject to the tax collector's power to sell.

Two public records mark the moment. Each year, on or before June 8, the tax collector publishes a notice listing the parcels that are about to reach the deadline. Then, when a parcel becomes subject to the power to sell, the tax collector signs a notice of power to sell, and it's recorded with the county recorder.

The tax collector has to try to sell the property within four years after that, and any sale needs the board of supervisors' approval. The owner can still redeem by paying everything owed, up until the close of business on the last business day before the sale starts. The minimum bid is at least the amount needed to redeem, plus costs, and the buyer gets a tax deed.

For investors, the June list is a yearly look at properties that are years behind on their taxes, well before any sale date is set. How California foreclosure works

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General information, not legal advice. For your own situation, talk to a lawyer.