Monroe County announces legal proceedings against properties listed in official public notice of foreclosure

Monroe County, New York – In a significant legal step aimed at reclaiming unpaid municipal debts, Monroe County has initiated a public foreclosure proceeding against numerous properties with long-delinquent taxes. The move follows the official filing of a list of tax-delinquent parcels with the Clerk of Monroe County on March 24, 2025. The filing represents the formal beginning of a foreclosure in rem process — a legal action brought against the properties themselves, not the individuals who own them.

The County of Monroe’s action affects properties across various towns, villages, and cities within its jurisdiction. These are not new delinquencies; they involve properties for which unpaid tax liens have remained unresolved for at least one year since the original tax sale.

The list that was filed includes a wealth of information for each affected parcel. According to officials, it contains “(a) a brief description of the property affected by each tax lien, (b) the name of the last known owner of such property as the same appears on the latest tax roll in the hands of the Director of Finance, or a statement that the owner is unknown if such be the case, (c) a statement of such tax liens upon such parcel of property including such tax liens and tax sale certificates owned by the County of Monroe… together with date or dates from which and the rate or rates at which interest and penalties shall be computed… (d) the names and address of any owner or assignee other than the County of Monroe of any unredeemed tax lien certificate, described as a claimant.”

In simpler terms, the County has gathered and now publicized a full accounting of all properties with unresolved property tax issues. This includes who owns—or last owned—the property, how much is owed, when the debt began, how much interest has accrued, and whether any party other than the County claims part of the debt.

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The County has made clear that the action targets only the property, not the person. “No personal judgment shall be entered herein against any owner for such taxes, assessments or other legal charges or any part thereof,” the notice emphasizes. This means that while the property is subject to foreclosure and potential sale, no individual will be personally sued for the outstanding debts.

Importantly, the filing of this list and the associated legal notice sets in motion a countdown. Interested parties—be they property owners, lien holders, heirs, or others with legal stakes—have until July 7, 2025, to either redeem the property or respond legally.

Until that date, the public can view the list of delinquent properties in several key locations. A certified copy of the list has been filed with the Director of Finance, as well as the offices of local tax collectors, receivers of taxes, treasurers, or tax assessment authorities in every jurisdiction where an affected parcel is located. These documents are available for inspection during normal business hours.

If a property owner or any interested party wishes to redeem a property—that is, to save it from foreclosure—they must pay the full amount of unpaid taxes and fees. That includes “all interest and penalties which are a lien against such real property computed to and including the date of redemption and the costs, allowances and disbursements of the action—together with the expenses of the proceedings to sell, if any, allocated against such parcel.”

The County also provides a possible alternative route. Under paragraph (c) of Section 6 of the controlling legislation, those who qualify may enter into an agreement with the Director of Finance to pay the debt in structured installments. However, such agreements must still be initiated by the July 7 deadline.

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For others with legal claims—such as banks, mortgage lenders, or other lien holders—there is the option of paying the taxes themselves. If they do, “the person so paying shall be entitled to have the tax liens affected thereby satisfied of record or to receive an assignment of such tax liens evidenced by a proper written instrument.” This means that someone who pays taxes on a property they don’t own—but in which they have a financial interest—could gain control over the County’s lien position.

But payment isn’t the only form of response. Anyone with an interest in the property may choose to challenge the foreclosure by filing a verified answer. This answer must detail the nature and extent of their interest in the property and raise any legal defenses or objections to the foreclosure. It must be filed with the County Clerk and served to the Tax Foreclosure Attorney for the County of Monroe within 20 days following the July 7 deadline.

Failing to take either action—paying the taxes or filing an answer—comes with serious and irreversible consequences. “In the event of failure to redeem or answer by any person having the right to redeem or answer, such person shall be forever barred and foreclosed of all his right, title, interest and equity of redemption in and to the parcel of real property described in such list of delinquent taxes and properties and a judgment in foreclosure may be taken by default.”

In other words, inaction results in the permanent loss of rights to the property. The County would then have the legal authority to sell the property and recover what it’s owed.

Another noteworthy aspect of the notice relates to its legal weight. The County states that the mere fact that it holds tax liens on these properties is “conclusive evidence” that the debts have not been paid and have not been transferred elsewhere. This makes it difficult for any party to argue later that the taxes were already settled.

And finally, the County calls on residents to help identify if any individuals with a claim to these properties may currently be serving in the military, either in the armed forces of the United States or the State of New York. The notice reads: “Please be further advised that it is also the purpose of this notice to determine if any person having any right, title or interest in or lien upon any parcel of real property described in the aforesaid list of delinquent taxes and properties is in the military service of the United States, or of the state of New York; and request is made that any knowledge or information relating to such military service and interest, if any, be transmitted to the undersigned Tax Foreclosure Attorney for the County of Monroe.”

This clause reflects the legal protections in place for members of the military under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act and similar state laws. These laws are designed to prevent service members from losing property rights due to foreclosure or tax sale while they are serving their country.

The County’s approach represents a mixture of enforcement and opportunity. On one hand, it is acting decisively to reclaim unpaid taxes that fund local services and infrastructure. On the other hand, it offers a path for property owners and other interested parties to make things right—through redemption, payment plans, or legal defense.

With the deadline set for July 7, 2025, time is now of the essence. Residents, attorneys, and anyone with potential interest in the affected parcels are encouraged to act swiftly, seek legal advice if necessary, and either resolve outstanding debts or prepare to assert their rights in court.

As always, the County stresses that transparency and public awareness are vital parts of the process. By placing the information on public record and issuing this detailed notice, Monroe County hopes to give all involved parties a fair chance to respond before more permanent actions are taken.

For more information, interested individuals can visit the office of the Director of Finance, contact their local tax authority, or consult with the Tax Foreclosure Attorney for the County of Monroe directly.