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Suffolk County, Massachusetts Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Suffolk County, MA has 1 tax-delinquent property on record. Get the official list, tax-sale schedule, and redemption rules.

Ahmed Mohamed

Tennessee

, Goliath Teammate

Suffolk County, Massachusetts currently has 1 tax-delinquent property on record, along with active foreclosures, liens, and probate filings compiled from public records. If you are searching for the Suffolk County tax delinquent properties for sale list, this page gives you the live count, how to pull the official list from the Town or City Collector-Treasurer, how Massachusetts's tax sale and redemption process works, and the due diligence to run before you bid.

TL;DR

  • 1 tax-delinquent property are currently on record in Suffolk County, MA, refreshed weekly from public records.

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

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

GoliathData currently tracks 1 tax-delinquent property in Suffolk County, MA, alongside the wider distressed-property picture below, data current as of June 29, 2026, refreshed weekly from public records:

Signal

Properties

As of

County Lien

9

May 25

Quiet Title Action

7

May 11

Utility Lien

5

May 11

Code Violation

3

May 18

Sheriff Sale

3

May 11

Hoa Lien

3

May 11

Divorce

3

May 25

Continuing Lien

2

May 11

Probate

2

Jun 8

Assignment

1

Apr 20

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

What these numbers mean for buyers and investors

Suffolk County, Massachusetts is showing 1 tax delinquency on record as of the week of May 25, 2026. That single entry represents a property whose owner has fallen behind on municipal property tax payments. While one tax delinquency may seem modest, the broader picture of property distress in the county is more complex. The data reveals a portfolio of 60 recorded liens, foreclosures, judgments, and related legal actions across the county during the spring and early summer of 2026. These include 9 county liens, 7 quiet title actions, 5 utility liens, 3 code violations, 3 sheriff sales, and scattered federal liens, state liens, judgment liens, and foreclosure filings.

For investors seeking tax-delinquent properties, this environment presents a fragmented opportunity set. The low count of outright tax delinquencies suggests that most property owners in Suffolk County are keeping pace with annual tax obligations, or that the county's tax collection processes are efficient. However, the diversity of lien types signals underlying property distress: county liens often arise from unpaid assessments; utility liens from unpaid water, sewer, or electric bills; and code violations from unresolved building or zoning infractions. Quiet title actions and lis pendens filings indicate title disputes and pending litigation. The 3 sheriff sales and 1 foreclosure represent more advanced stages of distress, where creditors have obtained judgments and are moving toward forced sale. Investors should recognize that competition for the single listed tax delinquency will likely be minimal, but due diligence will be critical because properties with such clouded titles or unresolved liens often carry hidden costs.

The presence of probate filings (2), divorce actions (3), and trustee sales (1) adds another layer: these are distressed situations where property may change hands or be liquidated under pressure, sometimes below market value. For the sophisticated buyer willing to research municipal records and navigate lien hierarchies, Suffolk County offers opportunities, but the volume of general delinquent filings suggests a mature market where properties move into distress more slowly than in counties with higher tax delinquency counts.

How to get the official Suffolk County tax-delinquent list

In Massachusetts, property tax delinquencies are managed at the municipal level, not the county level. Suffolk County includes the cities and towns of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, Winthrop, Quincy, Milton, Dedham, Brookline, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, Cambridge, Somerville, and others. To obtain a tax-delinquent property list, you must contact the Collector-Treasurer in the specific municipality where the property is located.

The Town or City Collector-Treasurer is the authoritative office responsible for tracking unpaid property taxes, issuing delinquency notices, and administering tax sales in each community. You can locate the Collector-Treasurer's office by visiting your municipality's official website or calling town or city hall. When you contact them, request a list of properties that are currently tax-delinquent or have been referred for tax sale. Some municipalities publish these lists online; others provide them upon written request.

The Collector-Treasurer will typically inform you of the municipality's tax sale schedule, whether sales are conducted by public auction, sealed bid, or another method, and the timeline for redemption. In Massachusetts, redemption periods after a tax sale vary by municipality but are often significant (typically 6 months to 2 years), meaning a buyer does not receive a clear title immediately. Ask the Collector-Treasurer to clarify the redemption period and any other conditions specific to your municipality. Keep in mind that the assessor's office values property for tax purposes but does not handle delinquent collections; direct all inquiries about delinquency and tax sales to the Collector-Treasurer.

How Massachusetts' tax sale and redemption process works

Massachusetts property tax sales follow a state statutory framework, but with significant municipal variation. The general process begins when a property owner fails to pay annual property taxes by the due date. The Collector-Treasurer issues a formal notice of intent to take the property for non-payment. The property owner then has an opportunity to pay the delinquent amount plus costs and interest before a sale is held.

If taxes remain unpaid, the Collector-Treasurer schedules a tax sale. The sale may be conducted by public auction or sealed bid, depending on municipal bylaws. At the sale, the opening bid is typically the delinquent tax amount plus accrued interest, costs, and municipal fees. A successful bidder purchases the property subject to a redemption right, meaning the original owner (or a creditor with a superior lien) may reclaim the property by paying the buyer the full purchase price plus costs within the redemption period set by state law and local policy.

The redemption period in Massachusetts is often substantial. During this time, the buyer does not hold a clear title and cannot occupy or develop the property without risk of losing it if the original owner or lienholder redeems. Only after the redemption period expires does the buyer receive a tax deed and clear title, free of the original owner's claims (though other liens, such as federal or state liens, mortgage liens, or municipal liens for utilities or code violations, may survive).

For the single tax delinquency recorded in Suffolk County as of late May 2026, confirm the specific municipal tax sale schedule, redemption period, and opening bid amount with the relevant Town or City Collector-Treasurer. State law sets the framework, but municipalities implement it with local variation in timing, procedures, and notice requirements.

Due diligence and risks

Before bidding on any tax-delinquent property, conduct thorough research. Start by obtaining a title report from a title company or attorney. This report will reveal all liens, mortgages, and encumbrances on the property. In Suffolk County, the data shows 9 county liens, 5 utility liens, 3 HOA liens, 1 federal lien, 1 state lien, and multiple judgment and continuing liens active in the county during May and June 2026. Any of these may attach to a tax-delinquent property and survive the tax sale, meaning you could purchase the property and still owe money to a utility company, federal taxing authority, or county government.

Walk the property if possible and note its physical condition. Does it appear occupied? Are there visible code violations such as broken windows, overgrown landscaping, or structural damage? The county data shows 3 code violations on file; if a property has an unresolved code enforcement issue, you may inherit the obligation to remedy it.

Check local property records for recent permits, violations, or complaints filed with the municipality. Contact the municipal assessor's office (a different office from the Collector-Treasurer) to verify the assessed value and property description. Confirm the property's legal description and boundary against a recent survey if available.

Verify whether the property is occupied and by whom. If a tenant holds a lease, you may be obligated to honor it after purchase, or you may have a right to evict, depending on Massachusetts landlord-tenant law and the terms of any recorded lease.

Finally, understand that the redemption period creates legal and financial risk. For months or years after your purchase, the original owner or a creditor may redeem, extinguishing your ownership. Until redemption expires and a tax deed is issued, treat your ownership as provisional. Avoid making capital improvements until the redemption period has passed and you hold clear title.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I find the current tax-delinquent properties in my Suffolk County municipality?

Contact the Town or City Collector-Treasurer in the specific municipality where the property is located. This office maintains the official delinquent tax list and publishes tax sale schedules. Many municipalities post delinquent lists and sale notices on their websites or in local newspapers. You can also request a list in writing or by phone. Remember that the assessor's office values property; the Collector-Treasurer handles tax delinquencies and sales.

When is the next tax sale in Suffolk County?

Tax sale dates vary by municipality within Suffolk County and depend on the Collector-Treasurer's schedule. There is no single county-wide tax sale date. Contact the Collector-Treasurer in your municipality of interest to find out when the next sale is scheduled, whether it will be a public auction or sealed bid process, and what the bidding requirements are (deposits, payment terms, etc.).

How long is the redemption period after I buy a tax-delinquent property in Massachusetts?

The redemption period is set by state law and municipal policy and typically ranges from 6 months to 2 years. You must confirm the exact redemption period for your property with the Town or City Collector-Treasurer before bidding. During redemption, the former owner or a creditor may reclaim the property by paying you the purchase price plus costs. Only after redemption expires do you receive a tax deed and clear title.

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

It depends on the specific property, its location, condition, and title. With only 1 tax delinquency recorded in the county as of May 2026, competition for that property will be light. However, the presence of 60 other liens, judgments, foreclosures, and legal actions suggests that most distressed properties in Suffolk County are being addressed through channels other than tax sale, and that title and lien issues can be complex. If you find a property in a desirable location with a clean title and reasonable opening bid, a tax sale can offer value. If the property carries multiple liens or unresolved code violations, the risk may outweigh the benefit. Have a title attorney and inspector review any property before you bid.

More Massachusetts Tax Delinquent Property Lists

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

Sources