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Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Lackawanna County, PA has 0 tax-delinquent properties on record. Get the official list, tax-sale schedule, and redemption rules.

Austin Beveridge

Tennessee

, Goliath Teammate

Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania currently has 0 tax-delinquent properties on record, along with active foreclosures, liens, and probate filings compiled from public records. If you are searching for the Lackawanna County tax delinquent properties for sale list, this page gives you the live count, how to pull the official list from the County Tax Claim Bureau, how Pennsylvania's tax sale and redemption process works, and the due diligence to run before you bid.

TL;DR

  • 0 tax-delinquent properties are currently on record in Lackawanna County, PA, refreshed weekly from public records.

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

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

GoliathData tracks the following distressed-property signals across Lackawanna County, PA, data current as of June 29, 2026, refreshed weekly from public records:

Signal

Properties

As of

Divorce

4

May 11

Preprobate

4

Jun 29

Federal Lien

2

Apr 20

Lis Pendens

2

May 25

Marriage

2

Apr 27

Permit Filing

2

Apr 6

Property Auction

1

Mar 16

Property Judgment

1

May 11

Sheriff Sale

1

Jun 1

State Lien

1

May 4

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

What these numbers mean for buyers and investors

Lackawanna County's tax-delinquent property market is modest in volume but rich in complexity. The data snapshot from early-to-mid 2026 shows a county where distressed properties are emerging across multiple legal categories: federal liens (2), state liens (1), property judgments (1), and trustee sales (1) all point to owners in serious financial trouble. The presence of foreclosures (1), sheriff sales (1), and lis pendens filings (2) indicates that some properties are locked in active legal disputes or mortgage default proceedings, which can create complications or opportunities depending on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

The single property auction and one code violation suggest that Lackawanna County does move properties through the tax sale system, but the pace is deliberate rather than frenetic. This is typical of Pennsylvania counties where the Tax Claim Bureau follows strict statutory procedures and redemption rights are generous. For investors accustomed to high-volume markets, Lackawanna may feel quiet; for patient, detail-oriented buyers, that quiet can mean less competition and more time to conduct thorough due diligence.

The presence of absentee owners (1) and probate activity (1 probate filing, 4 preprobate filings in June 2026) is telling. Absentee owners often lack the resources or motivation to cure tax delinquency, and probate cases frequently involve inherited properties where heirs disagree, cannot be located, or lack funds to settle taxes and liens. These situations often create openings for buyers willing to navigate title complexity and waiting periods.

Divorce filings (4, concentrated in May 2026) and property-related litigation (lis pendens, property judgment, judgment lien) indicate that marital dissolution and civil disputes are a secondary but meaningful driver of distressed property supply in Lackawanna County. Properties entangled in divorce often sell at or below market value because neither ex-spouse wants to carry the burden, and urgency to liquidate can override price expectations.

Overall, Lackawanna County presents a buyer's market characterized by steady, low-volume distress. Competition is likely lower than in major metropolitan Pennsylvania counties, making this a viable hunting ground for individual investors and small firms with the patience to work through Pennsylvania's methodical tax sale process.

How to get the official Lackawanna County tax-delinquent list

The authoritative source for all tax-delinquent properties in Lackawanna County is the County Tax Claim Bureau. This office, not the County Assessor, maintains the delinquency records and oversees the tax sale process under Pennsylvania law.

To access the list, contact the County Tax Claim Bureau directly. Request a current list of properties with unpaid taxes (delinquent tax parcels). The bureau can provide this list in electronic format or as a hard copy, depending on their procedures and your preference. Ask specifically about:

  • Which tax years are included in the current delinquency list

  • Whether the list includes estimated property values or assessed values

  • How often the list is updated (typically annually before a major sale, though some counties update quarterly)

  • Whether they offer email notifications for upcoming tax sales or list updates


Many Pennsylvania counties, including Lackawanna, also publish their tax sale lists on the county website or through third-party legal notice websites. Check the Lackawanna County official website for links to the Tax Claim Bureau and any online property search tools. Some buyers also monitor the Legal Intelligencer, the Pennsylvania newspaper of legal record, where tax sales and delinquency notices are published.

Once you have the list, cross-reference each parcel with the Lackawanna County property assessment records (maintained separately by the County Assessor's office) to verify current ownership, land use, square footage, and prior sale history. This step is essential and takes time, but it prevents surprises at auction.

How Pennsylvania's tax sale and redemption process works

Pennsylvania's tax sale system is governed by state statute and is notably different from many other states because of its strong redemption rights. Understanding the flow is critical before you bid.

First, when a property owner fails to pay real estate taxes for a set period (the exact duration and thresholds are determined by state law and county practice), the property is declared delinquent. The Tax Claim Bureau then initiates collection action. Notice is mailed to the owner and published in legal newspapers. This notice period is your signal that a property may soon be offered for sale.

The Tax Claim Bureau schedules a public tax sale, typically held once per year, though some years may see multiple sales depending on delinquency volume. At the sale, properties are offered to the highest bidder. Bids are accepted by sealed bid, oral auction, or online platform, depending on the county's procedures. Lackawanna County's Tax Claim Bureau will specify the sale method and bidding requirements when you contact them.

Here is the crucial part: Pennsylvania law grants the original property owner (and in some cases, junior lienholders) a redemption right. This means that even after you win the auction and pay the tax debt, penalties, and costs, the former owner can reclaim the property by paying you back everything within a set redemption period. The length and specifics of this redemption period are determined by Pennsylvania statute and must be confirmed with the Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau. This redemption right can extend the total time before you receive clear title, sometimes by months or even longer.

If the redemption period expires without the owner exercising their right, the Tax Claim Bureau issues you a deed. At that point, you own the property free of the tax debt, though you will still be responsible for any senior liens (such as a mortgage that predate the tax sale) and must satisfy yourself that title is clear.

The statutory process is designed to protect owners from losing property overnight and to give creditors time to pursue claims. For buyers, this means patience and careful cash-flow planning are essential. Do not buy a tax-sale property expecting to flip it quickly unless you have verified that the redemption period has already expired or that the property is unencumbered.

Due diligence and risks

Tax-sale properties in Lackawanna County carry specific risks that must be investigated before you bid.

Title and liens: A tax sale wipes out the tax debt and junior tax liens, but it does not automatically clear other liens. A property may carry a first mortgage, home equity line of credit, contractor's lien, IRS lien (federal), Pennsylvania Department of Revenue lien (state), or judgment lien recorded against it. Many of these liens survive the tax sale, meaning you take title subject to them. You could win the auction, pay the redemption period, receive your deed, and then discover that a bank holds a first mortgage and can foreclose on you, or the IRS can force a sale to recover unpaid federal taxes. Before bidding, order a title search and lien search from a title company or attorney. The cost (usually $150 to $400) is trivial compared to the risk.

Occupancy and condition: Assume nothing about occupancy or physical condition. Visit the property in person, multiple times if possible, and at different times of day. Talk to neighbors. Check for signs of squatters, structural damage, environmental hazards, or code violations. The single code violation recorded in the data suggests that some properties in Lackawanna County have municipal compliance issues. Contact the local code enforcement office and municipal clerk to determine whether violations exist and whether you would be liable to cure them after purchase.

Environmental and hazardous conditions: Historic mining, industrial activity, and age of structures mean some Lackawanna County properties may harbor environmental risks (asbestos, lead, contamination, radon). Phase I environmental assessments are worth the cost ($500 to $1,500) for larger or older properties.

Insurance and utilities: Confirm that the property can be insured and that utilities are available. Some tax-sale properties are uninsurable because of condition or location, or insurance premiums are prohibitively high. Utility companies may refuse to connect properties with unpaid bills.

Redemption and eviction: If the property is occupied, you cannot simply move in after purchase. The tenant or owner has redemption rights, and after redemption expires, you may need to file for eviction, a process that can take weeks or months in Pennsylvania. Factor legal and court costs into your budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the Lackawanna County tax-delinquent property list?

Contact the County Tax Claim Bureau directly by phone, email, or in person at their Lackawanna County office. Request a current list of properties with unpaid taxes. The bureau can provide it electronically or in hard copy. You can also check the Lackawanna County official website for links to the Tax Claim Bureau and any online property search portals, or monitor the Legal Intelligencer and county legal notice publications.

When is the next tax sale in Lackawanna County?

The exact date and schedule for the next tax sale must be confirmed with the County Tax Claim Bureau. Most Pennsylvania counties hold one major sale per year, typically in the spring or fall, but dates vary. The bureau will provide the sale date, bidding method, and property list when you contact them.

How long is the redemption period in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania law provides a redemption period that allows the original owner to reclaim the property after the tax sale by paying back all costs. The exact length of this period depends on state statute and county practice and must be confirmed with the Lackawanna County Tax Claim Bureau. It can range from months to longer, so plan your cash flow accordingly.

Is it worth buying tax-delinquent property in Lackawanna County?

Yes, if you are patient, thorough with due diligence, and willing to navigate Pennsylvania's redemption process and potential title complications. Low bidding volume in Lackawanna County means less competition than in major metros, and the mix of divorces, probate cases, and financial distress suggests a steady supply of motivated sellers. The key is to invest time in title searches, lien checks, property inspections, and conversations with the Tax Claim Bureau before you bid, and to have realistic expectations about holding time and cash requirements.

More Pennsylvania Tax Delinquent Property Lists

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

Sources