a. Except as provided by sections 11-412.3 and 11-412.4 of this title, a tax lien or tax liens on a property or any component of the amount thereof may be sold by the city as authorized by subdivision b of this section, when such tax lien or tax liens shall have remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year, provided, however, that a tax lien or tax liens on any class one property or on class two property that is a residential condominium or residential cooperative, as such classes of property are defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, may be sold by the city only when the real property tax component of such tax lien or tax liens shall have remained unpaid in whole or in part for three years and, in the case of any such class one property that is not vacant land or any such class two property that is a residential condominium or residential cooperative, as such classes of property are defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, equals or exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars, or, in the case of any class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or a residential cooperative, as such class of property is defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, for two years, and equals or exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars or, in the case of abandoned class one property or abandoned class two property that is a residential condominium or residential cooperative, for eighteen months, and after such sale, shall be transferred, in the manner provided by this chapter, and provided, further, however, that (i) the real property tax component of such tax lien may not be sold pursuant to this subdivision on any: (A) residential real property in class one or a real property in class two that is a residential condominium that is receiving an exemption pursuant to section 11-245.3 or 11-245.4 of this title, or pursuant to section four hundred fifty-eight of the real property tax law with respect to real property purchased with payments received as prisoner of war compensation from the United States government, or pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of subdivision two of section four hundred fifty-eight-a of the real property tax law, or where the owner of such residential real property in class one is receiving benefits in accordance with department of finance memorandum 05-3, or any successor memorandum thereto, relating to active duty military personnel, or where the owner of such residential real property in class one has been allowed a credit pursuant to subsection (e) of section six hundred six of the tax law for the calendar year in which the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale, occurs or for the calendar year immediately preceding such date; (B) real property that was granted an exemption pursuant to section four hundred twenty-a, four hundred twenty-b, four hundred forty-six, or four hundred sixty-two of the real property tax law in one of the two fiscal years preceding the date of such sale, provided that: (1) such exemption was granted to such real property upon the application of a not-for-profit organization that owns such real property on or after the date on which such real property was conveyed to such not-for-profit organization; (2) the real property tax component of such lien arose on or after the date on which such real property was conveyed to such not-for-profit organization; and (3) such not-for-profit organization is organized or conducted for one of the purposes described in paragraph a or paragraph b of subdivision 1 of section 11-246 of this title; or (C) real property that is designated as vacant land on the final assessment roll delivered most recently to the council pursuant to section 11-218 of this title and that an agency designated by the mayor determines the development of which is economically impracticable or infeasible, due to the size, shape, applicable zoning, configuration or topography of such property, and (ii) the sewer rents component, sewer surcharges component or water rents component of such tax lien may not be sold pursuant to this subdivision on any one family residential real property in class one or on any two or three family residential real property in class one or on any real property in class two that is a residential condominium that is receiving an exemption pursuant to section 11-245.3 or 11-245.4 of this title, or pursuant to section four hundred fifty-eight of the real property tax law with respect to real property purchased with payments received as prisoner of war compensation from the United States government, or pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of subdivision two of section four hundred fifty-eight-a of the real property tax law, or where the owner of any two or three family residential real property in class one is receiving benefits in accordance with department of finance memorandum 05-3, or any successor memorandum thereto, relating to active duty military personnel, or where the owner of any two or three family residential real property in class one has been allowed a credit pursuant to subsection (e) of section six hundred six of the tax law for the calendar year in which the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale, occurs or for the calendar year immediately preceding such date. A tax lien or tax liens on any property classified as a class two property, except a class two property that is a residential condominium or residential cooperative, or a class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or a residential cooperative, or class three property, as such classes of property are defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, shall not be sold by the city unless such tax lien or tax liens include a real property tax component as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale. Notwithstanding any provision of this subdivision to the contrary, any such tax lien or tax liens that remain unpaid in whole or in part after such date may be sold regardless of whether such tax lien or tax liens include a real property tax component. A tax lien or tax liens on a property classified as a class four property, as such class of property is defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, shall not be sold by the city unless such tax lien or tax liens include a real property tax component or sewer rents component or sewer surcharges component or water rents component or emergency repair charges component, where such emergency repair charges accrued on or after January first, two thousand six and are made a lien pursuant to section 27-2144 of this code, as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale, provided, however, that any tax lien or tax liens that remain unpaid in whole or in part after such date may be sold regardless of whether such tax lien or tax liens include a real property tax component, sewer rents component, sewer surcharges component, water rents component or emergency repair charges component. For purposes of this subdivision, the words "real property tax" shall not include an assessment or charge upon property imposed pursuant to section 25-411 of the administrative code. A sale of a tax lien or tax liens shall include, in addition to such lien or liens that have remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year, or, in the case of any class one property or class two property that is a residential condominium or residential cooperative, when the real property tax component of such lien or liens has remained unpaid in whole or in part for three years, or, in the case of any class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or a residential cooperative, when the real property tax component of such lien or liens has remained unpaid in whole or in part for two years, and equals or exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars, any taxes, assessments, sewer rents, sewer surcharges, water rents, any other charges that are made a lien subject to the provisions of this chapter, the costs of any advertisements and notices given pursuant to this chapter, any other charges that are due and payable, a surcharge pursuant to section 11-332 of this chapter, and interest and penalties thereon or such component of the amount thereof as shall be determined by the commissioner of finance. The commissioner of finance may promulgate rules defining "abandoned" property, as such term is used in this subdivision.
a-1. A subsequent tax lien or tax liens on a property or any component of the amount thereof may be sold by the city pursuant to this chapter, provided, however, that notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary, such tax lien or tax liens may be sold regardless of whether such tax lien or tax liens have remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year and, notwithstanding any provision in this chapter to the contrary: (A) in the case of any class one property or class two property that is a residential condominium or residential cooperative or, beginning January first, two thousand twelve, in the case of any class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or a residential cooperative, such tax lien or tax liens may be sold if the real property tax component of such tax lien or tax liens has remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year; and (B) beginning July first, two thousand twenty-four, in the case of any class one property that is not vacant land, or class two property that is a residential condominium or residential cooperative, such tax lien or tax liens may be sold only if the real property tax component of such tax lien or tax liens has remained unpaid in whole or in part for three years and equals or exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars; provided, further, however, that (i) the real property tax component of such tax lien may not be sold pursuant to this subdivision on any residential real property in class one that is receiving an exemption pursuant to section 11-245.3 or 11-245.4 of this title, or pursuant to section four hundred fifty-eight of the real property tax law with respect to real property purchased with payments received as prisoner of war compensation from the United States government, or pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of subdivision two of section four hundred fifty-eight-a of the real property tax law, or where the owner of such residential real property in class one is receiving benefits in accordance with department of finance memorandum 05-3, or any successor memorandum thereto, relating to active duty military personnel, or where the owner of such residential real property in class one has been allowed a credit pursuant to subsection (e) of section six hundred six of the tax law for the calendar year in which the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale, occurs or for the calendar year immediately preceding such date and (ii) the sewer rents component, sewer surcharges component or water rents component of such tax lien may not be sold pursuant to this subdivision on any one family residential real property in class one or on any two or three family residential real property in class one that is receiving an exemption pursuant to section 11-245.3 or 11-245.4 of this title, or pursuant to section four hundred fifty-eight of the real property tax law with respect to real property purchased with payments received as prisoner of war compensation from the United States government, or pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of subdivision two of section four hundred fifty-eight-a of the real property tax law, or where the owner of any two or three family residential real property in class one is receiving benefits in accordance with department of finance memorandum 05-3, or any successor memorandum thereto, relating to active duty military personnel, or where the owner of any two or three family residential real property in class one has been allowed a credit pursuant to subsection (e) of section six hundred six of the tax law for the calendar year in which the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale, occurs or for the calendar year immediately preceding such date; and (C) beginning July first, two thousand twenty-four, in the case of any real property that is designated as vacant land on the final assessment roll delivered most recently to the council pursuant to section 11-218 of this title and that an agency designated by the mayor determines the development of which is economically impracticable or infeasible, due to the size, shape, applicable zoning, configuration or topography of such property, such tax lien or tax liens may not be sold. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "subsequent tax lien or tax liens" shall mean any tax lien or tax liens on property that become such on or after the date of sale of any tax lien or tax liens on such property that have been sold pursuant to this chapter, provided that the prior tax lien or tax liens remain unpaid as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale of the subsequent tax lien or tax liens. A subsequent tax lien or tax liens on any property classified as a class two property, except a class two property that is a residential condominium or residential cooperative, or a class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or a residential cooperative, or class three property, as such classes of property are defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, shall not be sold by the city unless such tax lien or tax liens include a real property tax component as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale. Notwithstanding any provision of this subdivision to the contrary, any such tax lien or tax liens that remain unpaid in whole or in part after such date may be sold regardless of whether such tax lien or tax liens include a real property tax component. A subsequent tax lien or tax liens on a property classified as a class four property, as such class of property is defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, shall not be sold by the city unless such tax lien or tax liens include a real property tax component or sewer rents component or sewer surcharges component or water rents component or emergency repair charges component, where such emergency repair charges accrued on or after January first, two thousand six and are made a lien pursuant to section 27-2144 of this code, as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale, provided, however, that any tax lien or tax liens that remain unpaid in whole or in part after such date may be sold regardless of whether such tax lien or tax liens include a real property tax component, sewer rents component, sewer surcharges component, water rents component or emergency repair charges component. For purposes of this subdivision, the words "real property tax" shall not include an assessment or charge upon property imposed pursuant to section 25-411 of the administrative code. Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to limit the rights conferred by section 11-332 of this chapter on the holder of a tax lien certificate with respect to a subsequent tax lien.
a-2. In addition to any sale authorized pursuant to subdivision a or subdivision a-1 of this section and notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, beginning on December first, two thousand seven, the water rents, sewer rents and sewer surcharges components of any tax lien on any class of real property, as such real property is classified in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, may be sold by the city pursuant to this chapter, where such water rents, sewer rents or sewer surcharges component of such tax lien, as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale: (i) shall have remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year and (ii) equals or exceeds the sum of one thousand dollars or, beginning on March first, two thousand eleven, in the case of any two or three family residential real property in class one, for one year, and equals or exceeds the sum of two thousand dollars, or, beginning on January first, two thousand twenty-one, in the case of any two or three family residential real property in class one, for one year, and equals or exceeds the sum of three thousand dollars, or, beginning on January first, two thousand twelve, in the case of any class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or a residential cooperative, as such class of property is defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, for two years, and equals or exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars; provided, however, that such water rents, sewer rents or sewer surcharges component of such tax lien may not be sold pursuant to this subdivision on: (A) any one family residential real property in class one or any two or three family residential real property in class one or a real property in class two that is a residential condominium that is receiving an exemption pursuant to section 11-245.3 or 11-245.4 of this title, or pursuant to section four hundred fifty-eight of the real property tax law with respect to real property purchased with payments received as prisoner of war compensation from the United States government, or pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of subdivision two of section four hundred fifty-eight-a of the real property tax law, or where the owner of any two or three family residential real property in class one is receiving benefits in accordance with department of finance memorandum 05-3, or any successor memorandum thereto, relating to active duty military personnel, or where the owner of any two or three family residential real property in class one has been allowed a credit pursuant to subsection (e) of section six hundred six of the tax law for the calendar year in which the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale, occurs or for the calendar year immediately preceding such date; or (B) real property that is designated as vacant land on the final assessment roll delivered most recently to the council pursuant to section 11-218 of this title and that an agency designated by the mayor determines the development of which is economically impracticable or infeasible, due to the size, shape, applicable zoning, configuration or topography of such property. After such sale, any such water rents, sewer rents or sewer surcharges component of such tax lien may be transferred in the manner provided by this chapter.
a-3. In addition to any sale authorized pursuant to subdivision a or subdivision a-1 of this section and notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, beginning on December first, two thousand seven, a subsequent tax lien on any class of real property, as such real property is classified in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, may be sold by the city pursuant to this chapter, regardless of whether such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, shall have remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year, and regardless of whether such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, equals or exceeds the sum of one thousand dollars or beginning on March first, two thousand eleven, in the case of any two or three family residential real property in class one, a subsequent tax lien on such property may be sold by the city pursuant to this chapter, regardless of whether such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, shall have remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year, and regardless of whether such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, equals or exceeds the sum of two thousand dollars, or, beginning on January first, two thousand twenty-one, in the case of any two or three family residential real property in class one, a subsequent tax lien on such property may be sold by the city pursuant to this chapter, regardless of whether such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, shall have remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year, and regardless of whether such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, equals or exceeds the sum of three thousand dollars, or, beginning on January first, two thousand twelve, in the case of any class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or a residential cooperative, as such class of property is defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, a subsequent tax lien on such property may be sold by the city pursuant to this chapter, regardless of whether such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, shall have remained unpaid in whole or in part for two years, and regardless of whether such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, equals or exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars; provided, however, that such subsequent tax lien may not be sold pursuant to this subdivision on: (A) any one family residential real property in class one or any two or three family residential real property in class one or a real property in class two that is a residential condominium that is receiving an exemption pursuant to section 11-245.3 or 11-245.4 of this title, or pursuant to section four hundred fifty-eight of the real property tax law with respect to real property purchased with payments received as prisoner of war compensation from the United States government, or pursuant to paragraph (b) or (c) of subdivision two of section four hundred fifty-eight-a of the real property tax law, or where the owner of any two or three family residential real property in class one is receiving benefits in accordance with department of finance memorandum 05-3, or any successor memorandum thereto, relating to active duty military personnel, or where the owner of any two or three family residential real property in class one has been allowed a credit pursuant to subsection (e) of section six hundred six of the tax law for the calendar year in which the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section of this chapter, of the notice of sale, occurs or for the calendar year immediately preceding such date; or (B) real property that is designated as vacant land on the final assessment roll delivered most recently to the council pursuant to section 11-218 of this title and that an agency designated by the mayor determines the development of which is economically impracticable or infeasible, due to the size, shape, applicable zoning, configuration or topography of such property. After such sale, any such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, may be transferred in the manner provided by this chapter. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "subsequent tax lien" shall mean the water rents, sewer rents or sewer surcharges component of any tax lien on property that becomes such on or after the date of sale of any water rents, sewer rents or sewer surcharges component of any tax lien on such property that has been sold pursuant to this chapter, provided that the prior tax lien remains unpaid as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale of the subsequent tax lien. Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to limit the rights conferred by section 11-332 of this chapter on the holder of a tax lien certificate with respect to a subsequent tax lien.
a-4. In addition to any sale authorized pursuant to subdivision a, a-1, a-2 or a-3 of this section and notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, beginning on March first, two thousand eleven, the emergency repair charges component or alternative enforcement expenses and fees component, where such emergency repair charges accrued on or after January first, two thousand six and are made a lien pursuant to section 27-2144 of this code, or where such alternative enforcement expenses and fees are made a lien pursuant to section 27-2153 of this code, of any tax lien on any class of real property, as such real property is defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, may be sold by the city pursuant to this chapter, where such emergency repair charges component or alternative enforcement expenses and fees component of such tax lien, as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale: (i) shall have remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year, and (ii) equals or exceeds the sum of one thousand dollars or, beginning on January first, two thousand twelve, in the case of any class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or a residential cooperative, as such class of property is defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, for two years, and equals or exceeds the sum of five thousand dollars; provided, however, that such emergency repair charges component or alternative enforcement expenses and fees component of such tax lien may only be sold pursuant to this subdivision on any one, two or three family residential real property in class one, where such one, two or three family residential property in class one is not the primary residence of the owner; provided, however, that the emergency repair charges component or alternative enforcement expenses and fees component of such tax lien may not be sold pursuant to this subdivision on any real property that is designated as vacant land on the final assessment roll delivered most recently to the council pursuant to section 11-218 of this title and that an agency designated by the mayor determines the development of which is economically impracticable or infeasible, due to the size, shape, applicable zoning, configuration or topography of such property. After such sale, any such emergency repair charges component or alternative enforcement expenses and fees component of such tax lien may be transferred in the manner provided by this chapter.
a-5. In addition to any sale authorized pursuant to subdivision a, a-1, a-2 or a-3 of this section and notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, beginning on March first, two thousand eleven, a subsequent tax lien on any class of real property, or beginning on January first, two thousand twelve in the case of any class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or a residential cooperative, a subsequent tax lien on such property, may be sold by the city pursuant to this chapter, regardless of the length of time such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, shall have remained unpaid, and regardless of the amount of such subsequent tax lien. After such sale, any such subsequent tax lien, or any component of the amount thereof, may be transferred in the manner provided by this chapter. For purposes of this subdivision, the term "subsequent tax lien" shall mean the emergency repair charges component or alternative enforcement expenses and fees component, where such emergency repair charges accrued on or after January first, two thousand six and are made a lien pursuant to section 27-2144 of this code, or where such alternative enforcement expenses and fees are made a lien pursuant to section 27-2153 of this code, of any tax lien on property that becomes such on or after the date of sale of any emergency repair charges component or alternative enforcement expenses and fees component, of any tax lien on such property that has been sold pursuant to this chapter, provided that the prior tax lien remains unpaid as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale of the subsequent tax lien; and provided further, that the emergency repair charges component or alternative enforcement expenses and fees component of such tax lien may not be sold pursuant to this subdivision on any real property that is designated as vacant land on the final assessment roll delivered most recently to the council pursuant to section 11-218 of this title and that an agency designated by the mayor determines the development of which is economically impracticable or infeasible, due to the size, shape, applicable zoning, configuration or topography of such property. Nothing in this subdivision shall be deemed to limit the rights conferred by section 11-332 of this chapter on the holder of a tax lien certificate with respect to a subsequent tax lien.
a-6. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, beginning on September first, two thousand seventeen, a lien that includes civil penalties for a violation of section 28-201.1 of the code where such civil penalties accrued on or after July first, two thousand seventeen, and became a lien pursuant to section 28-204.6.6 of the code, may be sold by the city pursuant to this chapter, where such civil penalties component of such lien, as of the date of the first publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of sale (i) shall have remained unpaid in whole or in part for one year or more, and (ii) equals or exceeds the sum of one thousand dollars. After such sale, any such civil penalties component of such lien may be transferred in the manner provided by this chapter.
b. The commissioner of finance, on behalf of the city, may sell tax liens, either individually, in combinations, or in the aggregate, pursuant to the procedures provided herein. The commissioner of finance shall establish the terms and conditions of a sale of a tax lien or tax liens. Enactment of the local law that added this sentence shall be deemed to constitute authorization by the council for the commissioner of finance to conduct a sale or sales of tax liens through and including December thirty-first, two thousand twenty-eight. Subsequent to December thirty-first, two thousand twenty-eight, the city shall not have the authority to sell tax liens.
1. (i) The commissioner of finance may, in his or her discretion, sell a tax lien or tax liens through a competitive sale. In addition to the advertisement and notice required to be provided pursuant to section 11-320 of this chapter, the commissioner of finance or his or her designee shall cause to be published a notice of intention to sell a tax lien or tax liens through a competitive sale, which notice shall include the terms and conditions for such sale, the criteria by which bids shall be evaluated, and a request for any other information or documents that the commissioner of finance may require. Such notice shall be published in one newspaper of general circulation in the city, not less than fifteen days prior to the date designated by the commissioner for the submission of bids.
(ii) The commissioner of finance may, in his or her discretion, establish criteria for the eligibility of bidders pursuant to section 11-321.1 of this chapter.
(iii) The commissioner of finance may reject any or all bids, or may accept any combination of bids in a competitive sale.
2. (i) The commissioner of finance may, in his or her discretion, sell a tax lien or tax liens through a negotiated sale. In addition to the advertisement and notice required to be provided pursuant to section 11-320 of this chapter, the commissioner of finance or his or her designee shall cause to be published a notice of intention to sell a tax lien or tax liens through a negotiated sale, which notice shall advise that a request for statements of interest is available at the office of the department of finance, and which may require the submission of any information or documents that the commissioner deems appropriate, provided, however, that if the negotiated sale is to a trust or other entity created by the city or in which the city has an ownership or residual interest, then the requirement that the notice advise that a request for statements of interest is available at the office of the department of finance shall not apply. Such notice shall be published in one newspaper of general circulation in the city, not less than fifteen days prior to the date designated by the commissioner for the receipt of statements of interest, or if the negotiated sale is to such trust or other entity, then such notice shall be published not less than fifteen days prior to the date of sale. For purposes of this subparagraph, the words "date of sale" shall have the same meaning provided in subdivision e of section 11-320 of this chapter.
(ii) The commissioner of finance may engage in a negotiated sale in accordance with criteria to be established pursuant to section 11-321.1 of this chapter.
(iii) The commissioner of finance may execute a purchase and sale agreement and other necessary agreements with a designated purchaser or purchasers to complete a negotiated sale.
3. The commissioner of finance may establish a minimum price for the sale of tax liens that may be at a discount from or premium to the lien amount. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the commissioner of finance may not establish a minimum price for the sale of an individual tax lien that is at a discount from the lien amount. The commissioner of finance shall sell such tax liens at a purchase price that, in the determination of such commissioner, is in the best interests of the city. The commissioner of finance, in his or her discretion, may accept cash or cash equivalent in immediately available funds, or other consideration acceptable to the commissioner, or any combination thereof in payment for a tax lien or tax liens.
4. The amount of a tax lien that is sold pursuant to this chapter shall be the unpaid amount of the lien as of the date of sale, including any interest and penalties thereon, any taxes, assessments, sewer rents, sewer surcharges, water rents, any other charges that are made a lien subject to the provisions of this chapter, the costs of any advertisements and notices given pursuant to this chapter, any other charges that are due and payable, any surcharge pursuant to section 11-332 of this chapter, and interest and penalties thereon, or such component of the amount thereof as shall be determined by the commissioner of finance, notwithstanding the amount paid for purchase of the tax lien or component of the amount thereof. For purposes of this paragraph, the words, "date of sale" shall have the same meaning provided in section 11-320(e) of this chapter.
5. (i) The commissioner of finance may, subsequent to the offer for sale of any tax lien or tax liens and the failure to complete such sale, offer such tax lien or tax liens for sale again to any other person or persons who satisfied the terms and conditions of the sale without providing any additional advertisements or notices pursuant to this chapter.
(ii) Notwithstanding subparagraph (i) of this paragraph, any tax lien that was noticed for sale pursuant to this chapter, but was not sold on the original date of sale, may be sold without any additional advertisements or notices pursuant to this chapter if the subsequent date of sale is within six months of the second publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of the original date of sale. If the subsequent date of sale is more than six months after the second publication, pursuant to subdivision a of section 11-320 of this chapter, of the notice of the original date of sale, then the commissioner of finance, or his or her designee, shall provide notice of the subsequent date of sale pursuant to subdivision b of section 11-320 of this chapter. No other additional advertisements or notices shall be necessary prior to the date of sale.
6. The rate of interest on any tax lien certificate shall be the rate adopted for nonpayment of taxes on real property, pursuant to subdivision (e) of section 11-224.1, that is in effect on January first of the year in which the tax lien is sold.
7. It is the intent of the city that a sale of a tax lien or tax liens pursuant to this chapter shall be a sale and not a borrowing.
8. Whenever any tax lien purchased at a tax lien sale is found to be invalid, void or defective in whole or in part, or not to conform to any representation or warranty with respect thereto, made by the commissioner of finance in connection with the sale thereof, by judgment or decree of a court of competent jurisdiction or by determination of the commissioner of finance, the commissioner of finance may, in his or her discretion, substitute for such tax lien or portion thereof another tax lien that has a value equivalent to the value of the tax lien or portion thereof found to be invalid, void, defective, or not to so conform, or may refund such value of the tax lien or portion thereof found to be invalid, void, defective, or not to so conform, or may use a combination of substitution and refund. No other remedy shall be available to a purchaser of a tax lien which is found to be invalid, void, defective, or not to conform to a representation or warranty with respect thereto made by the commissioner of finance in connection with the sale thereof, in whole or in part. Whenever a tax lien of such equivalent value is to be substituted for a tax lien that has been found invalid, void, defective, or not to so conform, in whole or in part, pursuant to this section, the commissioner of finance or his or her designee shall provide mailed notice of the intention to substitute such lien of such equivalent value to any person required to be notified pursuant to section 11-320(b) of this chapter.
9. The commissioner of finance may establish requirements for a purchaser of a tax lien to provide any information and documents that the commissioner of finance deems necessary, including information concerning the collection and enforcement of tax liens. The commissioner of finance shall require the purchaser of a tax lien to provide the owner of property on which a tax lien has been sold pursuant to this chapter a detailed itemization of taxes, interest, surcharges, and fees charged to such owner on all tax lien statements of amounts due or bill of charges. Such fees shall be bona fide, reasonable and, in the case of attorney fees, customary.
10. (i) On and after January first, two thousand twelve, no tax lien shall be sold pursuant to this chapter on any class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is a residential condominium or residential cooperative. If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, any such tax lien is sold in error pursuant to this chapter on and after January first, two thousand twelve on such property, then the provisions of paragraph eight of this subdivision shall apply to such sale, including the authority of the commissioner of finance to substitute for such tax lien another tax lien that has a value equivalent to the value of such tax lien or to refund the value of such tax lien. For the purposes of this paragraph, property owned by such company shall be limited to property owned for the purpose, as set forth in section five hundred seventy-one of the state private housing finance law, of providing housing for families and persons of low income.
(ii) No later than May first, two thousand eleven, the commissioner of finance, in consultation with the commissioner of housing preservation and development, shall notify by mail any class two residential property owned by a company organized pursuant to article XI of the state private housing finance law that is not a residential condominium or residential cooperative, of the authority of the commissioner of finance to sell the tax liens on such property. Such notification shall include information relating to the lien sale process, including, but not limited to, actions homeowners can take if a lien is sold on such property; the type of debt that can be sold in a lien sale; a timeline of statutory notifications required pursuant to section 11-320 of this chapter; a clear, concise explanation of the consequences of the sale of a tax lien; the telephone number and electronic mail address of the employee or employees designated pursuant to subdivision f of section 11-320 of this chapter; a conspicuous statement that the owner of the property may enter into a payment plan for exclusion from the tax lien sale; and credits and property tax exemptions that may exclude a property from a tax lien sale and any other credit or residential real property tax exemption information, which, in the discretion of the commissioner, should be included in such notification. Upon such property owner's written request, or verbal request to 311 or any employee designated pursuant to subdivision f of section 11-320 of this chapter, a Chinese, Korean, Russian or Spanish translation of such notice shall be provided promptly to such property owner.
11. No later than September first, two thousand eleven, the appropriate agency shall promulgate rules identifying or describing any existing procedures governing challenges to the validity of any real property tax, sewer rent, sewer surcharge, water rent, emergency repair charge or alternative enforcement expense or fee.
12. On or after January first, two thousand fifteen and before January first, two thousand seventeen, no tax lien shall be sold pursuant to this chapter on the following properties: (i) properties enrolled in the city's Build It Back Program; and (ii) properties defined as "eligible real property" pursuant to subdivision three of section four hundred sixty-seven-g of the real property tax law. If, notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, any such tax lien is sold in error pursuant to this chapter during such time period on properties described in subparagraph (i) or (ii) of this paragraph, then the provisions of paragraph eight of this subdivision shall apply to such sale, including the authority of the commissioner of finance to substitute for such tax lien another tax lien that has a value equivalent to the value of such tax lien or to refund the value of such lien.
13. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, no tax lien shall be sold pursuant to this chapter on any of the following properties: (i) any real property for which the owner in good faith has submitted an application that is pending with the department of finance for a real property tax exemption pursuant to section four hundred twenty-a, four hundred twenty-b, four hundred forty-six, or four hundred sixty-two of the real property tax law; and (ii) any real property for which the owner has in good faith filed an appeal with the tax commission of a denial of any such application and such appeal is pending. There shall be a rebuttable presumption that an application or an appeal referenced in the preceding sentence was not submitted in good faith where, within the 24 months preceding the submission of such application or such appeal, the period for the filing of an appeal of a denial by the department of finance of a previous application for a real property tax exemption pursuant to section four hundred twenty-a, four hundred twenty-b, four hundred forty-six, or four hundred sixty-two of the real property tax law has expired.
14. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, during the period commencing January first, two thousand twenty-one and ending December thirty-first, two thousand twenty-one, no tax lien or tax liens on any covered property shall be sold where: (i) the owner of such covered property is a natural person, regardless of how title is held; (ii) such natural person owns ten or fewer dwelling units that may be contained within more than one property or building, provided that one of such dwelling units is the primary residence of such natural person and each of the remaining units is occupied by a tenant or is available for rent; and (iii) prior to the date of sale, such natural person has submitted a hardship declaration to the department of finance. For purposes of this paragraph, the following terms have the following meanings:
"covered property" means real property classified as class one, two or four, as such classes of property are defined in subdivision one of section eighteen hundred two of the real property tax law, including shares in a residential cooperative, that is used for residential purposes, provided that such real property shall not include property that is vacant and abandoned, as defined in subdivision two of section thirteen hundred nine of the real property actions and proceedings law, which was listed on the statewide vacant and abandoned property electronic registry, as defined in section thirteen hundred ten of the real property actions and proceedings law, prior to March seventh, two thousand twenty and that remains on such registry;
"date of sale" means (A) for a negotiated sale, the date of the signing of the tax lien purchase agreement, and (B) for a competitive sale, the date designated by the commissioner of finance for the submission of bids;
"dwelling unit" means a unit that is used for residential purposes.
"hardship declaration" means a written statement, in a form to be developed by the department of finance and posted on its website, that:
(A) the owner of a covered property is the owner of ten or fewer dwelling units, one of which is such owner's primary residence, and such owner is experiencing financial hardship and is unable to pay the real property taxes due on such covered property as a result of one or more of the following reasons:
(1) significant loss of income by such owner or by a member of the household of such owner during the COVID-19 pandemic;
(2) increase in necessary out-of-pocket expenses by such owner related to performing essential work or related to health impacts during the COVID-19 pandemic;
(3) responsibilities to provide childcare or to care for an elderly, disabled, or sick family member during the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected the ability of such owner or the ability of a member of the household of such owner to obtain meaningful employment or earn income or have increased necessary out-of-pocket expenses of such owner;
(4) moving expenses and difficulties in securing alternate housing has created a hardship for such owner to relocate to another residence during the COVID-19 pandemic;
(5) other circumstances related to the COVID-19 pandemic have negatively affected the ability of such owner to obtain meaningful employment or earn income, have significantly reduced the income of the household of such owner, or have significantly increased the expenses of such owner; or
(6) at least one tenant of such owner has defaulted on a significant amount of such tenant's rent obligations since March first, two thousand twenty;
(B) any public assistance, including unemployment insurance, pandemic unemployment assistance, disability insurance, or paid family leave, that such owner has received since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic does not fully make up for the loss of household income or increased expenses of such owner; and
(C) such owner understands that any fees, penalties or interest for not having paid real property taxes in full may be charged or collected and may result in a foreclosure action against such owner on or after December thirty-first, two thousand twenty-one if such owner fails to fully pay any missed or partial payments and fees.
a. Notwithstanding the restrictions on eligibility to enter into an installment agreement described in paragraph one of subdivision b of section 11-322 and in subparagraphs (b) and (c) of paragraph three of subdivision k of section 11-322.1, an owner of a covered property who satisfies all other eligibility criteria may enter into an installment agreement pursuant to section 11-322 or a hardship installment agreement pursuant to 11-322.1.
b. The notice that is required to be mailed by the commissioner of finance pursuant to paragraph one of subdivision b of section 11-320 not less than ninety, sixty, thirty and ten days prior to the date of sale also shall notify owners of real property containing dwelling units of their rights pursuant to this section and that a copy of the hardship declaration can be accessed on the website of the department of finance and provide a link to such hardship declaration.
(Am. L.L. 2015/014, 2/5/2015, retro. eff. 1/1/2015; Am. L.L. 2017/004, 1/27/2017, eff. 1/27/2017; Am. L.L. 2017/094, 5/30/2017, eff. 9/27/2017; Am. L.L. 2020/042, 3/29/2020, eff. 3/29/2020; Am. L.L. 2021/024, 2/28/2021, retro. eff. 1/1/2021; Am. L.L. 2024/082, 7/30/2024, eff. 10/28/2024)
Editor's note: For related unconsolidated provisions, see Appendix A at L.L. 2001/036 and L.L. 2024/082.