Knox County, Tennessee Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Knox County, Tennessee currently has 2 tax-delinquent properties on record, along with active foreclosures, liens, and probate filings compiled from public records. If you are searching for the Knox County tax delinquent properties for sale list, this page gives you the live count, how to pull the official list from the County Trustee (delinquent tax sales through the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court), how Tennessee's tax sale and redemption process works, and the due diligence to run before you bid.

TL;DR

• 2 tax-delinquent properties are currently on record in Knox County, TN, refreshed weekly from public records.

• Plus additional distressed properties (foreclosures, liens, probate) shown in the live breakdown below.

• How to pull the official Knox County tax-delinquent list, and how Tennessee's tax-sale + redemption process works, so you act on real, current numbers, not a generic explainer.

GoliathData currently tracks 2 tax-delinquent properties in Knox County, TN, alongside the wider distressed-property picture below, data current as of June 29, 2026, refreshed weekly from public records:

Source: GoliathData real-time county records. Refreshed weekly.

What these numbers mean for buyers and investors

Knox County, Tennessee currently has 2 tax-delinquent properties on record, a relatively small pool that reflects either strong property tax compliance in the county or a lag in public reporting. However, the full picture of distressed property activity tells a more complex story. The data shows 11 assignments (likely deed transfers and title changes), 7 probate cases, 5 preprobate filings, 2 trustee sales, and 1 foreclosure action all active or recently filed. This constellation of signals suggests that while outright tax delinquency is limited, there is meaningful underlying distress: estates working through the courts, title transfers, and mortgage defaults are all happening concurrently.

For buyers and investors, this environment presents a narrower but potentially less competitive market than counties with hundreds of tax-delinquent properties. The 2 tax-delinquent cases mean you are not competing with a large pool of bidders at a standard tax sale. However, the presence of 1 foreclosure, 1 trustee sale, and 1 notice of default suggests that some property owners are falling behind on secured debt rather than county taxes first. This distinction matters: tax-delinquent properties often come to market via judicial process in Tennessee, while foreclosures follow lender timelines. The 7 active probate and 5 preprobate filings indicate that Knox County has a significant number of estates in transition, which can be a source of distressed or below-market sales if heirs choose to liquidate quickly.

The presence of 1 lis pendens (a legal notice of a pending lawsuit affecting title), 1 quiet title action, and multiple liens (1 judgment lien, 1 federal lien, 1 state lien, 1 medical lien) warns that title complexity is not uncommon. Investors should expect to conduct thorough due diligence and budget for title work, especially in probate or dispute-related properties. The 1 property auction and 1 property judgment suggest that some sales have already gone through court channels recently. Overall, Knox County's delinquent tax market is thin but not inactive; success requires patience, strong local knowledge, and meticulous title review.

How to get the official Knox County, Tennessee tax-delinquent list

The County Trustee, working through the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court, maintains and publishes Knox County's delinquent tax sale list. This is the authoritative source for all tax-delinquent properties scheduled for sale.

To obtain the current list, contact the County Trustee or the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court directly. You can request a printed or digital copy of the delinquent tax roll, which will show property addresses, owners, delinquent amounts, and sale dates if one has been scheduled. Many county offices now publish delinquent tax lists online on their official website; check the Knox County Trustee's office website first to see if the list is available for download or searchable by address or owner name.

The delinquent tax list is typically updated on a regular schedule set by state law and county practice. In Tennessee, tax sales generally occur once or twice per year, so the list may be published in conjunction with a scheduled sale date. Contact the County Trustee to confirm the publication frequency and whether future sales are already scheduled. Ask specifically when the next tax sale is planned and whether you can receive notice of upcoming delinquencies.

You can also visit the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court office in person to review the list and examine court files related to any property you are interested in. These files will contain notices, prior bids, redemption information, and any title issues flagged during the sale process.

How Tennessee's tax sale and redemption process works

Tennessee law provides property owners with multiple opportunities to cure tax delinquency before a forced sale, and then grants a redemption right after the sale closes. Understanding this process is essential for both sellers (owners trying to reclaim property) and buyers (investors bidding at auction).

When property taxes go unpaid, the County Trustee sends the property owner a delinquency notice. The owner then has a statutory window to pay the back taxes, penalties, and interest before the property is advertised for sale. This pre-sale period is the owner's primary chance to avoid losing the property and is why many delinquencies never reach public auction; owners settle with the Trustee once they receive formal notice.

Properties that remain delinquent are advertised by the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court, typically with a minimum bid set at the total tax debt plus costs. The sale itself is conducted as a judicial sale, meaning it is overseen by the court and must follow statutory procedures. Bids are accepted on the sale date, usually at a courthouse or online platform designated by the court. The high bidder is required to pay immediately or within a very short timeframe (often the same day or next business day).

Here is where Tennessee's redemption right becomes crucial for buyers: after a tax sale closes, the property owner (or sometimes other parties holding prior liens) may have the right to redeem the property by paying the winning bid amount plus statutory interest and costs within a set period. The length of the redemption period depends on the specific circumstances of the sale and prior ownership; this detail varies and must be confirmed with the Clerk & Master for each property. During redemption, the buyer holds a tax deed but does not own the property outright until redemption expires or is waived.

Once the redemption period expires without redemption, the buyer receives a clear tax deed and can take possession. However, tax deeds do not necessarily clear all prior liens or encumbrances; judgment liens, federal liens, and homestead claims may survive a tax sale. A buyer must verify title carefully before bidding and expect to conduct or review a title search before taking action.

For exact redemption periods, sale dates, and bidding procedures for your specific property, confirm all details with the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court. Tennessee law is clear on the process, but local practice and court rules can affect timing and procedures.

Due diligence and risks

Buying a property at a Knox County tax sale requires thorough investigation before you commit funds. The low price and court process are attractive, but hidden costs and title problems can quickly erase profit margins.

Title examination is your first critical step. Many tax-sale properties carry junior liens, judgment liens, medical liens, or federal tax liens that may survive the sale or require payment from proceeds. A title search will reveal these encumbrances. Pay special attention to federal liens and state tax liens, both of which are present in Knox County data and can complicate or prevent your ability to resell or refinance the property.

Occupancy and condition must be verified in person or through reliable local knowledge. A property may be occupied by a tenant, owner, or squatter; eviction costs and timelines are real liabilities that do not appear in the sale price. Similarly, code violations (1 is recorded in Knox County), unpermitted additions, or deferred maintenance can require expensive remediation before the property is saleable or livable.

Confirm the redemption period for the specific property before bidding. If the owner can redeem within 12 months, your capital is tied up and at risk of return with no profit. Redemption periods in Tennessee vary, and the Clerk & Master must provide this information for each property before the sale.

Inspect public records for probate, pending litigation, quiet title actions, or other court proceedings affecting the property. Knox County has active probate and quiet title cases; if a property is entangled in an estate dispute or title challenge, the sale may be void or clouded even after you win the bid.

Finally, budget for closing costs, title insurance, potential lien payoffs, and redemption holder claims. A seemingly cheap property can become expensive once all costs are factored in. Talk to a Tennessee real estate attorney before bidding on any tax-delinquent property in Knox County.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find the Knox County tax-delinquent property list?

Contact the County Trustee or the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court directly to request the delinquent tax roll. Many counties publish the list on their official website; check the Knox County Trustee's office website first. You can also visit the Clerk & Master office in person to view the list and court files.

When is the next Knox County tax sale?

Contact the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court to confirm the next scheduled sale date. Tax sales in Tennessee are typically held once or twice per year. The County Trustee will notify you if you provide your contact information and request to be added to a mailing list.

How long is the redemption period in Tennessee after a tax sale?

The redemption period varies depending on the facts of each case, including prior ownership and lien status. You must confirm the specific redemption period for any property you are interested in by asking the Clerk & Master or reviewing the sale notice before you bid. Do not assume a fixed period applies to all Knox County tax sales.

Is buying a tax-delinquent property in Knox County worth it?

It can be, but only with careful research and realistic expectations. Knox County currently has just 2 tax-delinquent properties on record, so competition is limited. However, you must budget for thorough title examination, potential lien payoffs, redemption waiting periods, and possible code violations or condition issues. The low sale price is attractive only if the title is clear, the redemption period is short, and you have verified occupancy and condition in advance. Work with a Tennessee real estate attorney to evaluate each opportunity individually.

More Tennessee Tax Delinquent Property Lists

Browse the full Tennessee tax delinquent properties for sale list for every county, or jump straight to a nearby list:

• Rutherford County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Shelby County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Sullivan County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Sumner County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Washington County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

• Williamson County, TN tax delinquent properties for sale list

Sources

• County Trustee (delinquent tax sales through the Clerk & Master of Chancery Court), Knox County, the official delinquent-property list, tax-sale schedule, and redemption details for Knox County. Contact the office directly for current specifics.

• U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts, population, housing, and ownership context for Knox County, Tennessee.

• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, guidance on buying foreclosed and distressed homes.

• GoliathData real-time county records, the distressed-property signal counts above, compiled from public records and refreshed weekly.