WV Tax Delinquent Properties for Sale List

Key Takeaways

• West Virginia tax delinquent properties are real estate where owners have failed to pay property taxes.
• The West Virginia State Auditor's County Collections page is the statewide place to search certified delinquent land by county, taxpayer name, parcel or map.
• Each county sheriff prepares a delinquent list by September 10 and publishes it as a legal advertisement, so local newspapers are the other place to look.
• Under W. Va. Code §11A-3-45, the Auditor sells certified land at public auction at the county courthouse, and payment is due by the close of business on the sale day.
• Delinquent properties may carry federal liens, code violations, environmental issues or physical damage, so title research and inspection come before bidding.

The West Virginia list of tax delinquent properties for sale is on the State Auditor's County Collections page, where you can search by county, taxpayer name or parcel. County sheriffs also publish a delinquent list each fall. There is no single statewide PDF on that page.

West Virginia maintains a public list of tax delinquent properties available through county offices and the Auditor. These properties represent real estate where owners have failed to pay property taxes. Finding and purchasing one requires knowing where to look, confirming the sale process, and recognizing both the opportunities and risks involved.

How does West Virginia sell tax delinquent properties?

West Virginia sells tax delinquent properties through a yearly cycle that runs from the county sheriff to the State Auditor. We read these steps in the West Virginia Code on November 7, 2026. The Legislature amended this article as recently as 2026, so confirm each one with the Auditor's office before you rely on it. Confirm each of them with the county sheriff's office and the county's official notices before bidding.

Read the sections themselves: §11A-3-2, §11A-3-8, §11A-3-44, §11A-3-45, §11A-3-48 and §11A-3-52.

Older guides describe a sheriff's sale. The code section on the sale by the sheriff is now marked repealed, and the current sections name the Auditor. Ask the Auditor's office how and where each sale is announced.

Where do you find delinquent property lists in West Virginia?

Start with the Auditor's County Collections page. It has three tools a buyer needs:

• Certified to State search: filter by tax year and county, then by map, parcel, certificate number, taxpayer name, purchaser name or account number. Only one field is required.
• No Bid Listings: choose any of the 55 counties to see properties available for bid.
• Land Sales: pre-register once a year for all counties. Each company registers separately.

When we checked on November 7, 2026, the page showed bids open until November 30, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. eastern, and no land sale listings available. For a list by owner, use the taxpayer name field.

Check the target county directly for its delinquent list and sale schedule, which may appear in local newspapers or on county websites. Start with the county where you are interested in purchasing property; confirm with the county sheriff's office, or the office it directs you to, where the delinquent list is published. Some counties maintain a schedule on their websites, or can provide one by phone or in person.

To locate your county sheriff's contact information, visit the West Virginia Sheriff's Association website or search "[County Name] Sheriff's Office" online. You should request or download the current delinquent property sale list, which typically includes the property address, approximate acreage or square footage, a brief description, and the sale date and time. Some counties provide property photos or plat maps; others provide minimal detail. Newspaper legal notices can also be a source.

The official WV State Government website lists contact information for state tax offices, which may be able to direct you to the appropriate county.

What are the sale procedures for West Virginia tax delinquent properties?

Once you identify a property of interest, ask the Auditor's office for the minimum bid, the sale date and how bids are placed.

• Redemption before certification. Land on the sheriff's list may be redeemed any time before it is certified to the Auditor.
• Redemption after certification. §11A-3-38 lets an owner or lienholder redeem from the Auditor before certification to the deputy commissioner, paying what is owed plus 12% annual interest.
• Notice to redeem. Within 120 days after the Auditor approves the sale, the buyer gives the Auditor a list of people to serve and deposits the cost of notice. A buyer who misses this loses all the benefits of the purchase.
• The deed. If no one redeems, §11A-3-59 has the deputy commissioner issue a quitclaim deed on the buyer's request, no sooner than 30 days after notices are served. It carries a $50 fee plus recording costs.

Also ask which liens and other claims, such as federal liens, municipal code violations or environmental claims, would remain on the property. Confirm these rules with the Auditor's office and the county sheriff's office before bidding.

What should you consider before bidding on a delinquent property in West Virginia?

Purchasing a tax delinquent property is not a risk-free investment. The property may be vacant, abandoned, or in poor condition. The structure may be unsafe or uninhabitable. Utility connections may be disconnected, and the property may owe unpaid water, sewer, or municipal bills. Environmental contamination, underground storage tanks, or mining subsidence (common in parts of West Virginia) could make the property unmarketable or remediation-dependent.

Before bidding, conduct title research through the county clerk's office to identify any liens, easements, or other claims on the property. Request a property tax record from the county assessor's office to confirm the exact address, parcel number, and description. Search for code violations or health department orders through the county health department and municipal code enforcement office. If possible, visit the property in person and photograph its condition from public access points.

You may also want to review public records for any pending law enforcement action, utility disconnection notices, or bankruptcy filings related to the property or former owner. Many of these records are available online through county courthouse websites, though some require a visit in person or a records request fee.

Be cautious of properties with environmental concerns. If the property has industrial history, was used for manufacturing, or has underground storage tanks, consider hiring an environmental consultant to perform a Phase I Environmental Site Assessment. In West Virginia, coal mining history and acid mine drainage are particular concerns in some regions.

What does a West Virginia delinquent property sale listing look like?

The following table illustrates the type of information typically published by West Virginia county sheriff's offices for delinquent property sales. This is a reference example and does not represent an actual current listing; always verify current delinquent properties directly with the relevant county sheriff's office. The addresses, parcels, bids and sale dates below are made up and are not a sale schedule.

Note: Opening bid amounts shown are illustrative only and based on hypothetical back taxes and costs. Actual opening bids vary widely depending on the specific property's tax debt, county costs, and other factors. Always contact the county sheriff's office for confirmed bid amounts and sale dates.

What financing and payment does a West Virginia tax sale require?

Plan to pay in full on the day. §11A-3-45 calls for check, U.S. currency or money order payable to the Auditor, delivered before the close of business on the day of sale. The Auditor's page says check or money order payable to the county sheriff, so confirm the payee before the sale. Financing through a mortgage lender may not be practical for a sale that moves quickly.

If you are serious about purchasing delinquent property, have funds available before the sale. Some investors establish a line of credit or maintain liquid reserves specifically for these purchases. After you own the property, you may be able to refinance or obtain a conventional mortgage, depending on the property's condition and your lender's requirements.

Do you need title insurance and deed recording after a West Virginia tax sale?

After you purchase a tax delinquent property and receive a deed, record it with the county commission clerk to establish your ownership in the public record. A quitclaim deed does not promise clear title, so plan for a title review.

Consider purchasing title insurance to protect against undisclosed claims or defects in the title. Some title insurers will issue a policy on tax-acquired property, though the premium may be higher than for a conventional purchase due to the increased risk. A title search should be performed by a professional title company or attorney to confirm that no other claims are superior to your deed.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often are tax delinquent property sales held in West Virginia?

West Virginia law sets a yearly cycle: the Auditor certifies land for sale between March 1 and August 1, and the auction follows within 90 days. Check the Auditor's County Collections page for the date in your county. Contact your county sheriff's office to learn the specific schedule for your area.

Is there a West Virginia tax delinquent properties list PDF?

Not on the Auditor's page when we checked: property data is searched on the page, and the PDFs there are forms. A county's published legal notice may be your closest printable version.

What happens to West Virginia land that does not sell at auction?

Under §11A-3-48, the Auditor may sell it without another auction, in order of priority: an adjacent owner, the municipality, the county commission, the West Virginia Land Stewardship Corporation, then any willing buyer. The price is as agreed between the Auditor and the buyer.

Can I get a mortgage to buy a tax delinquent property at auction?

Usually that is difficult, because mortgage underwriting may not fit the timeline of a sale; confirm payment terms with the county. After you purchase the property and hold it, you may be able to obtain financing from a conventional lender, a hard money lender, or a portfolio lender, depending on the property's condition and your credit profile. This is typically a refinancing transaction, not a purchase-money mortgage.

What happens if I bid on a property and then realize I made a mistake?

Winning bids are generally treated as binding, and failing to pay may have consequences; ask the Auditor's office about its bid terms. Always fully inspect and research a property before placing your bid.

Do I receive the property free and clear of all liens and debt when I buy a tax delinquent property?

Not necessarily. The deed is a quitclaim deed, and which claims survive a sale depends on West Virginia law; confirm them with the Auditor's office or an attorney. The property may still be subject to federal tax liens (IRS), code violations, environmental claims, utility bills, HOA assessments, or other encumbrances that existed before or after the tax sale. These are your responsibility as the new owner. This is why thorough due diligence is critical before bidding.

West Virginia Tax Delinquent Property Lists by County

County-level lists with distressed-property counts compiled from public records. For the terms used on this page, see our guides to the redemption period and the quitclaim deed:

• Kanawha County, WV tax delinquent properties for sale list

Looking beyond West Virginia? See the United States tax delinquent properties for sale list for every state.

Sources

• U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts, housing, ownership, and local market context.
• U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, official guidance on buying, financing, and distressed property.
• GoliathData real-estate records, distressed-property and market data compiled from public records.