Buffalo Takes First Steps To Tax Foreclosure Auction Later This Year

It seems that something that hasn't happened for quite a while in New York State's second-largest city is getting started real soon, as officials in the city of Buffalo's Assessment & Taxation Department are starting to compile a list that should interest people quite a bit.

In the most recent print edition of Buffalo Business First, which was published on Friday, February 27, 2026, the City of Buffalo listed nearly 40 pages of Lis Pendens for delinquent property taxes, water bills, user fees, and/or other charges due from property owners. A Lis Pendens is a Latin term that means 'pending lawsuit' and, in New York State, is the first set of documents that someone needs to file if they intend to foreclose on a house.

That's right, it seems that for the first time in several years, the city of Buffalo appears to be moving forward with its tax foreclosure auction.

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The properties set to be auctioned have at least a year behind on their bills that are due to the city. Those bills could be unpaid taxes, water charges, or fees, and because the fees haven't been paid in more than a year, Buffalo has the legal authority to seize these properties and sell them to recoup what is owed. Foreclosure is a life-changing event that can impact a family for generations. Not only is the government taking away someone's property, but that family may become homeless if they are living in the property.

Since it's been several years since city officials have held a tax auction, the list may have thousands of properties on it.

The public notice I saw published in the newspaper has hundreds of properties spread across dozens of pages.

Buffalo, like any other city, needs its tax revenue to be able to survive financially. When the city has a large amount of properties that are behind on their taxes and fees, it makes it quite difficult for the local government to be able to pay its bills. Given that fact, it should come as no surprise that Buffalo looks like it's starting its property foreclosure program back up.