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Luzerne County, Pennsylvania Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Luzerne County, PA has 3 tax-delinquent properties on record. Get the official list from the County Tax Claim Bureau, plus the tax sale and redemption rules.

Austin Beveridge

Tennessee

, Goliath Teammate

Luzerne County, Pennsylvania currently has 3 tax-delinquent properties on record, along with active foreclosures, liens, and probate filings compiled from public records. If you are searching for the Luzerne 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

  • 3 tax-delinquent properties are currently on record in Luzerne 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 Luzerne 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 currently tracks 3 tax-delinquent properties in Luzerne County, PA, alongside the wider distressed-property picture below, data current as of July 13, 2026, refreshed weekly from public records:

Signal

Properties

As of

Probate

26

Jul 13

Judgment Lien

6

Jul 6

State Lien

5

Jul 6

Tax Delinquency

3

Apr 13

Preprobate

3

Jul 13

Absentee Owner

2

May 4

Foreclosure

2

May 25

Marriage

2

Jul 13

Trustee Sale

1

Apr 13

Hoa Lien

1

Jan 26

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

What these numbers mean for buyers and investors

Luzerne County currently shows 3 properties with active tax delinquency as of mid-April 2026. That modest count sits alongside a notably complex landscape of other distressed and transitional property statuses: 26 probate cases, 6 judgment liens, 5 state liens, 2 foreclosures, 2 absentee owners, and scattered mechanic liens, utility liens, HOA liens, and federal liens. The presence of 26 probate filings suggests significant estate settlement activity in the county, which often precedes tax problems when heirs fail to pay or when property title remains in flux. The 6 judgment liens and 5 state liens indicate creditor and tax authority claims stacked against property owners, a signal that some distressed properties carry multiple encumbrances.

For buyers and investors, this profile means opportunity exists but requires careful vetting. The low count of active tax-delinquent properties (3) suggests either strong property tax compliance in Luzerne County or that most delinquencies are resolved before reaching the publicly advertised stage. However, the volume of judgment liens, state liens, and probate cases signals that distressed situations are present; they simply have not yet crystallized into a tax delinquency. The mix also indicates that when a Luzerne County property does go to tax sale, it is likely to carry secondary liens and title complications, demanding that investors conduct thorough due diligence before bidding.

Competition at Luzerne County tax sales is likely moderate. The low number of actively advertised delinquent properties means fewer bidders are hunting for deals in this county compared to larger or more distressed markets. This can work in favor of patient, knowledgeable investors willing to handle title cleanup and lien negotiation.

How to get the official Luzerne County tax-delinquent list

The Luzerne County Tax Claim Bureau is the authoritative source for tax-delinquent property information and is responsible for conducting tax sales in the county. To obtain the current list of tax-delinquent properties, contact the Tax Claim Bureau directly or visit the county's official website to see if an online list is published.

Steps to access the list:

  • Visit the Luzerne County official website and navigate to the Tax Claim Bureau section.

  • Request a current list of delinquent properties by phone, mail, or in person at the Tax Claim Bureau office.

  • Ask the Tax Claim Bureau staff whether the list is updated weekly, monthly, or at another interval, and confirm the format (printed list, online database, or PDF).

  • Inquire whether properties are listed with parcel numbers, addresses, owner names, and tax amounts owed.

  • Request information about upcoming tax sale dates and any public notice schedule the county follows.

The Tax Claim Bureau maintains and updates this list as properties accrue unpaid taxes. The bureau also publishes legal notices of upcoming sales in local newspapers and posts notices on properties themselves, as required by Pennsylvania law. Be aware that the list you obtain may lag slightly behind real-time delinquency; always confirm a property's current status directly with the Tax Claim Bureau before making an investment decision.

How Pennsylvania's tax sale and redemption process works

Pennsylvania's tax delinquent property process is governed by state law and administered by county Tax Claim Bureaus. Understanding the flow is essential for any buyer considering a purchase at a Luzerne County tax sale.

When property taxes go unpaid in Pennsylvania, the county Tax Claim Bureau sends notice to the property owner. If taxes remain unpaid after a specified period, the property is advertised for public sale. The sale itself is held at the county courthouse and is open to the public. At a Pennsylvania tax sale, bidders compete by offering the highest amount they will pay to redeem the tax debt and acquire a claim on the property.

One of Pennsylvania's most important features is the redemption right. After a tax sale, the original property owner (or certain other parties with an interest in the property) has the legal right to reclaim the property by paying off the tax debt, the buyer's costs, and accrued interest within a statutory redemption period. This period varies and is set by state law; the exact length for Luzerne County properties must be confirmed with the County Tax Claim Bureau. During the redemption period, the property remains encumbered, and the buyer does not receive a deed. Only after the redemption period expires without redemption does the buyer receive clear title.

Pennsylvania also requires that tax sales be advertised in advance. Notice is posted on the property, published in newspapers, and listed in the county's official records. Bidders are expected to conduct their own title search and property inspection before the sale; there is no "cooling-off period" or rescission right after a winning bid.

For exact redemption periods, sale dates, notice timelines, and procedural details specific to Luzerne County, contact the County Tax Claim Bureau. Tax law can change, and local practice may have nuances that only the bureau staff can clarify.

Due diligence and risks

Buying a property at a Luzerne County tax sale carries specific risks that must be mitigated through careful research before you bid.

Title and liens: A property offered at tax sale may have multiple liens against it. The data for Luzerne County shows active judgment liens (6), state liens (5), mechanic liens (1), utility liens (1), HOA liens (1), federal liens (1), and county liens (1). Not all of these may be satisfied by the tax sale. A buyer can inherit junior liens that survived the sale. Always obtain a title search and lien report before bidding, and understand which liens will be eliminated and which will remain your responsibility.

Redemption period: Remember that in Pennsylvania, the original owner may redeem the property during the statutory redemption period. This means you will not own the property free and clear immediately after purchase. You must be prepared to wait months (or longer, depending on the period set by law) before you receive a deed. During that time, you cannot sell the property, and the owner may occupy it.

Occupancy and condition: Tax-delinquent properties are often in poor condition or occupied by the defaulting owner, a tenant, or a squatter. You have the right to inspect the property before the sale, but you have no right to enter the building or evict anyone before you own it. Budget for potential repairs, code violations, and eviction costs.

Code violations and unpaid utilities: Luzerne County's data shows 1 code violation currently active. Properties offered at tax sale may have municipal liens for unpaid utilities or code enforcement fines. These may not be eliminated by the tax sale and could become your obligation. Request a code compliance report and utility account history from the municipality.

Market value vs. bid amount: A property's tax debt is often far below its actual market value. However, at a tax sale, competitive bidding can drive the price up. If you are the sole bidder, you pay only the opening bid (the tax amount owed plus costs). Always set a maximum bid based on your estimate of the property's value after rehabilitation, and do not exceed it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the current list of tax-delinquent properties in Luzerne County?

Contact the Luzerne County Tax Claim Bureau directly. The bureau maintains the official list and can provide it in writing or direct you to where it is published online. You can also request updates on which properties are scheduled for upcoming sales. The bureau staff will tell you the frequency at which the list is updated and how to stay informed of new delinquencies.

When is the next tax sale in Luzerne County?

The date of the next tax sale is determined by the County Tax Claim Bureau and published in advance. Contact the bureau directly for the exact date, time, and location of the upcoming sale. The bureau is also required to advertise the sale in local newspapers and post notices on the properties being sold, so you may also see announcements in your local news or on county courthouse bulletin boards.

What is the redemption period in Pennsylvania, and how does it affect my ownership?

Pennsylvania law grants the original owner (and certain other parties) the right to redeem the property after a tax sale by paying the tax debt, your costs, and interest within a set period. The exact length of the redemption period depends on state law and the specific circumstances of the sale. You must confirm the redemption period for Luzerne County properties with the County Tax Claim Bureau before you bid. Until the redemption period expires, you hold a lien but not a deed, and the owner may still reclaim the property.

Is buying a tax-delinquent property in Luzerne County worth the risk?

It depends on your goals and risk tolerance. Tax sales can offer substantial profits if you buy a property well below market value, win with minimal competition, and hold it through the redemption period. However, Luzerne County's current data shows only 3 active tax delinquencies, meaning inventory is limited. You must also be prepared to handle liens, code violations, title issues, evictions, and repairs. Research the property thoroughly, get a title search and lien report, set a realistic budget, and only bid on properties that make financial sense after accounting for all risks and costs. If you are not comfortable with these complexities, tax sales may not be the right investment for you.

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:

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