Union County, New Jersey Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Union County, NJ has 1 tax-delinquent property on record. Get the official list from the Municipal Tax Collector, plus the tax sale and redemption rules.

Brian Przezdziecki

Tennessee

, Goliath Teammate

Union County, New Jersey 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 Union County tax delinquent properties for sale list, this page gives you the live count, how to pull the official list from the Municipal Tax Collector, how New Jersey'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 Union County, NJ, refreshed weekly from public records.

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

  • How to pull the official Union County tax-delinquent list, and how New Jersey'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 Union County, NJ, alongside the wider distressed-property picture below, data current as of July 13, 2026, refreshed weekly from public records:

Signal

Properties

As of

Trustee Sale

123

Jul 13

Property Auction

61

Jun 22

Lis Pendens

9

Jul 13

Preforeclosure

5

Jul 6

Probate

3

Jul 6

Code Violation

3

May 11

Foreclosure

2

Jul 6

Permit Filing

1

May 4

Preprobate

1

May 25

Sheriff Sale

1

Jun 29

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

What these numbers mean for buyers and investors

Union County, New Jersey shows a remarkably narrow window of tax-delinquent opportunity. The data reveals only 1 property currently flagged as tax delinquent (recorded in the week of May 25, 2026). This extraordinarily low count is the real story: it reflects either aggressive municipal collection enforcement, high property values that keep owners current, or a combination of both. For investors accustomed to counties with dozens or hundreds of tax-sale candidates, Union County presents a fundamentally different landscape.

However, the broader distress signals in the county tell a more complex narrative. The same data window captures 123 trustee sales (a form of mortgage foreclosure), 61 property auctions, 9 lis pendens filings (the legal precursor to foreclosure), 5 preforeclosure notices, and 2 active foreclosures. There are also 3 probate cases and 1 Federal Lien. Together, these indicators suggest that while tax delinquency itself remains rare, the county is experiencing meaningful mortgage stress and estate-related property transitions. The competition for distressed assets is real, but it is fragmented across trustee sales, auction channels, and probate settlements rather than concentrated in a single tax-sale calendar.

For someone specifically searching for tax delinquent properties in Union County, the takeaway is clear: this county is not a high-volume tax-sale hunting ground. The single property on the delinquent roster means that buyers must cast a wider net, monitor the list continuously for any additions, and consider complementary strategies such as trustee-sale tracking or probate monitoring. The low delinquency count also suggests that the municipal tax collection system is highly efficient, which is favorable for general property value stability but unfavorable for distressed-asset bargain hunters.

How to get the official Union County tax-delinquent list

In New Jersey, tax-sale administration is municipal, not county-wide. This means you will not find a single "Union County" tax-delinquent list. Instead, you must contact the Municipal Tax Collector in the specific municipality where the property is located. Union County comprises multiple municipalities, each with its own tax collector's office.

Here are the concrete steps to obtain the delinquent tax list:

  • Identify the municipality (city, township, or borough) within Union County where you are interested in properties.

  • Contact that municipality's Municipal Tax Collector directly. The tax collector's office is typically part of the municipal government and can be reached through the municipal clerk's office or the town hall.

  • Request the current tax-delinquent property list. Many tax collectors maintain updated lists on their municipal websites or will provide them upon request. Ask specifically for properties with unpaid taxes.

  • Ask the Municipal Tax Collector for the sale date and redemption period for any properties on the delinquent list. This information is essential before you bid or invest.

  • Request information on how the municipality publishes notice of sales. In New Jersey, municipalities are required to provide public notice, typically via newspaper advertisement and the municipality's website.

Do not confuse the Municipal Tax Collector with the Tax Assessor. The assessor determines the assessed value of property; the tax collector handles delinquent accounts and administers tax sales. Contact the tax collector, not the assessor.

Because Union County has only 1 confirmed tax-delinquent property, obtaining the list is particularly important. The list will change, and new properties will be added over time. Regular contact with the relevant Municipal Tax Collector is your best strategy for staying informed.

How New Jersey's tax sale and redemption process works

New Jersey's tax-sale system is distinctive because it centers on the municipal tax collector and emphasizes redemption rights. Understanding the flow is essential before you bid on any property.

The process begins when a property owner fails to pay property taxes. The municipality sends a tax bill and typically provides notices of delinquency. If taxes remain unpaid for a specified period (the exact timeline varies by municipality and must be confirmed with your local Municipal Tax Collector), the municipality may schedule a tax sale.

In New Jersey, the tax sale is not an auction in the traditional sense. Instead, the municipality offers a lien certificate for sale to the public. A buyer at the sale is purchasing the right to collect the tax debt plus interest and costs; the buyer does not immediately own the property. This is a critical distinction. The property owner (or other parties with an interest in the property) has a redemption period during which they can reclaim the property by paying off the lien certificate plus accrued interest and costs. Only if the redemption period expires without redemption does the certificate holder acquire full ownership.

The redemption period in New Jersey is typically 2 years from the date of the tax sale, though this can vary by municipality and circumstances. You must confirm the exact redemption timeline with the Municipal Tax Collector for any specific property you are considering. This extended redemption period is a key feature of New Jersey law; it protects homeowners but also means that your investment is illiquid for an extended time.

During the redemption period, the property owner or lienholder can pay the certificate holder the full amount owed plus statutory interest (typically around 18% per annum in New Jersey, but confirm with the tax collector) and recover the property. If redemption occurs, you receive your investment back with interest, but you do not acquire the property.

After the redemption period expires, if no redemption has been made, you can apply for a deed from the municipality and take full ownership. At that point, you own the property free of the prior tax lien, though other liens (utility liens, judgment liens, federal tax liens) may still attach to the property.

The Municipal Tax Collector in your municipality will provide the specific dates, interest rates, and procedures for your property. Do not rely on general timelines; confirm everything with the tax collector before you invest.

Due diligence and risks

Purchasing a tax lien certificate or property at a New Jersey municipal tax sale involves significant risks. Before you bid, conduct thorough due diligence.

Title and encumbrances: A tax sale does not clear all liens. Your lien certificate or eventual deed will be subject to senior liens (such as first mortgages) and some junior liens (judgment liens, utility liens, federal tax liens, and others). You must perform a title search to identify all encumbrances. A property with a large first mortgage, for example, may not be worth redeeming even if the tax debt is small. Confirm which liens survive the tax sale in New Jersey; the rules can be technical.

Occupancy and condition: Inspect the property in person or hire an inspector. Tax-delinquent properties are often owner-occupied homes in distress, but they can also be vacant or severely neglected. Deferred maintenance, code violations, or environmental issues can make a property worthless or expensive to rehabilitate. The data shows 3 code violation cases in Union County; these may overlap with distressed properties and represent additional liability.

Redemption risk: Remember that during the redemption period, the owner or lienholder can reclaim the property. If you purchase a certificate, you cannot occupy or make major improvements to the property during redemption. Your capital is locked in and earning only statutory interest. If the property owner redeems, you get your money back but no property.

Municipal taxes and utilities: Confirm that the property has no additional unpaid municipal taxes or utility liens beyond the ones you are purchasing. Future tax bills and code enforcement orders remain the responsibility of the property owner (or you, once you take title) and can accumulate rapidly.

Foreclosure status: Check whether the property is also in foreclosure (the data shows 2 active foreclosures and 9 lis pendens in Union County). A foreclosure can complicate or eliminate your tax-sale interest, as the foreclosure sale may occur before the redemption period ends.

Legal representation: Consider hiring a real estate attorney experienced in New Jersey tax-sale purchases. The rules are state-specific, and a mistake can be costly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where do I find the official Union County tax-delinquent property list?

Union County does not publish a single county-wide list. Instead, you must contact the Municipal Tax Collector in the specific municipality where you are interested in properties. Each municipality within Union County maintains its own delinquent list and administers its own tax sales. Call the municipal clerk's office or town hall and ask for the tax collector's contact information. The tax collector will provide the current list and information on upcoming sales.

When is the next tax sale scheduled in Union County?

The exact timing of the next tax sale depends on your municipality and the tax collector's schedule. Some municipalities hold sales annually; others hold them less frequently or on an as-needed basis. Contact your local Municipal Tax Collector to ask when the next sale is planned and whether any properties are currently on the delinquent list. Do not assume a specific date without confirming directly.

How long is the redemption period in New Jersey?

The redemption period in New Jersey is typically 2 years from the date of the tax sale. However, this can vary depending on the circumstances and the municipality. Some properties may have different periods. You must confirm the exact redemption timeline with the Municipal Tax Collector for the property you are considering before you invest. Do not rely on a general 2-year assumption without verification.

Is it worth buying tax-delinquent properties in Union County?

That depends on your investment strategy and the specific property. Union County currently has only 1 tax-delinquent property, which means tax-sale opportunities are rare here. The county does show other distress signals (123 trustee sales, 61 property auctions), so you may find better value in those channels. If you are focused specifically on tax delinquency, Union County is not a high-volume market. Consider whether the effort of monitoring a thin list is worth the potential return. If you find a specific property that fits your criteria, conduct thorough due diligence on title, condition, encumbrances, and redemption risk before committing capital. The 2-year redemption period means your investment will be illiquid for a long time.

More New Jersey Tax Delinquent Property Lists

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

Sources