82 properties with unpaid taxes up for sale at Calgary auction

Heads up if you’re in the market for some property in Calgary, as the city is auctioning off dozens of properties with unpaid taxes in April.

The City of Calgary’s Real Estate Public Auction came ahead after the infrastructure and planning committee voted to do so during Thursday’s meeting.

According to the city, the auction is meant to recoup property taxes from among 82 properties that are up for grabs, though it adds it’s not a “typical property sale”

“The City of Calgary does not ‘own’ the properties being offered for sale at the public auction and the current registered owner on title or a tenant may still be occupying the property,” a council report reads.

“Entering onto a property advertised for public auction is considered to be trespassing.”

The yearly auction is held under the provisions of the Municipal Government Act, which states that properties with outstanding property taxes are offered up for sale.

Million-dollar homes and vacant parking stalls are on the auction list, and the most expensive is a $7.5 million commercial building in Franklin Industrial Park. Minimum bids will be based on market value and are set to be available on March 19.

Buyers must purchase at least a third of the balance by cash or cheque at the Royal Bank of Canada’s prime rate (5.2 per cent as of publishing), plus 3 per cent annually and any interest within 60 days.

According to the city, removing a property from the public auction requires all outstanding property taxes to be paid in guaranteed funds before March 31.

The auction will be at the Historic City Hall Building atrium at 10 a.m. on April 24.

Any updates to the date, time or location of the 2025 public auction can be found online.