CITY OF GLOBE URGES PROPERTY OWNERS TO VERIFY TAX STATUS FOLLOWING BULK TAX LIEN ACTIVITY
Owners can still clear a tax lien at any time before a court foreclosure judgment
GLOBE, AZ - The City of Globe is urging all local property owners to verify their property tax status following large-scale tax lien and property acquisitions in Gila County. Gila County records show one particular buyer associated with a significant number of parcels, including a single 2023 recorded transfer involving more than 100 parcels (Recording No. 2023-006643).
Affected parcels may be vacant lots, blighted properties, and family homes passed down through generations without updated deeds. Tax liens sold in 2023 have now reached the three-year point when Arizona law allows a lien holder to file a foreclosure lawsuit. The City has received reports that residents are being contacted directly and asked to make private payments to keep their property.
Residents need to know this: passing the three-year mark does not mean you have lost your property. Under Arizona law, you can redeem a tax lien at any time until a court enters a foreclosure judgment. Redeeming means paying off the back taxes, interest, and fees through the County Treasurer. You keep that right after the three-year mark, after you receive a notice of intent to foreclose, and while a foreclosure lawsuit is pending.
Do not sign paperwork, enter private agreements, or send money to anyone claiming rights to your property. Contact the Gila County Treasurer's Office directly.
How a Tax Lien Works
• The lien sale: When property taxes go unpaid, Gila County sells a tax lien certificate at its annual February sale. The buyer pays the overdue taxes and earns interest. The buyer does not own your property.
• No contact: Gila County states that tax lien holders are “silent lien holders” and may not contact property owners or go onto the property. If you are contacted by a lien holder, document the interaction, including names, dates, phone numbers, messages or paperwork you received. Do not sign anything or make a private payment.
• The three-year mark: If a lien is not redeemed within three years of when it was first offered for sale, the holder may send a notice of intent to foreclose. The holder can then file a lawsuit in Gila County Superior Court.
• Your right to redeem: Until the court enters a judgment, you can clear the lien by paying the Treasurer the back taxes plus interest and fees. The amount grows over time. Once a lawsuit is filed, it may also include court costs.
• When the right ends: Only after a court judgment does your right to redeem end. At that point, the Treasurer issues a deed to the lien holder.
What Residents Can Do Right Now
1. Verify your property taxes. Use the Gila County Treasurer's online property tax search. Enter your parcel number or address and confirm that all prior years, especially 2022 through 2025, are paid in full.
2. Check your recorded deed. Search your name on the Gila County Recorder's public index. Make sure you are listed as the legal owner and that no unauthorized deeds or unexpected transfers have been recorded.
3. Find out if a tax lien has been sold on your property. Contact the Gila County Treasurer’s Office to determine whether a tax lien has been sold, when it was sold and what is required to redeem it. Do not assume that a tax lien means you have lost ownership of your property.
How to Safely Resolve a Tax Lien
• Act now, even if three years have passed. You can redeem at any time before a court judgment. If you have received a foreclosure notice or been served with a lawsuit, redeem immediately and contact an attorney.
• Pay the Gila County Treasurer only. Ask the Treasurer's Office for a payoff amount and pay the county directly, not the lien holder. The Treasurer calculates what is owed, pays the lien holder, and clears the lien.
• Never sign paperwork handed to you by an outside buyer. Signing a quitclaim deed or settlement agreement can mean voluntarily giving up ownership of your property.
• Inherited homes may require additional attention. If you live in a family home where the deed was never put in your name after a loved one died, contact legal aid or an estate attorney to update your deed.
Remember: Residents who have been contacted directly about a tax lien on their property should document the interaction. Report it to the Gila County Treasurer's Office.
About the City of Globe
The City of Globe is a historic and vibrant Arizona community located in Gila County, approximately 90 minutes east of Phoenix. Known for its rich history, natural beauty and strong sense of community, Globe is committed to preserving its heritage while investing in its future for residents and visitors alike.
https://www.globeaz.gov