Certificate Buyers need to be aware that there are inherent risks involved in purchasing tax certificates. Broward County Revenue Collection does not guarantee the condition of any property or title with respect thereto. The risks are borne by the certificate holder. Do your research before investing and purchasing.
Please also note - Broward County DOES NOT guarantee eventual payment of tax certificates.
Q. What is a County Held Certificate?
A. A tax certificate is an interest bearing first lien representing unpaid delinquent real estate property taxes which are offered for sale by Broward County Revenue Collection through competitive bid to pay delinquent taxes. If there are no bids on an item, the applicable tax certificate is issued in the name of Broward County (County-Held) at the highest rate of interest allowed by law (18%). Tax certificates are not recorded liens nor are they reported to any credit bureaus. They are a “first” priority lien.
Q. Why would a certificate not have any bids and be issued in the name of the County?
A. The bidders at the auction obviously felt that it may be a "risky" investment (i.e. the property has a long history of delinquent taxes, it may be encumbered with government liens, a tax deed application already exists, the property is worthless, etc.). Do your research before investing.
Q. Are County Held Certificates available for purchase?
A. Yes. However, the following tax certificates that have been issued to Broward County must remain with Broward County:
- Those representing less than $100 in delinquent taxes on property that has been granted homestead exemption
- Parcels upon which an application has been made and has been approved for the Tax Deferred Program
- Those representing delinquent taxes on a subsurface right
Click here to view/download the 2005 County Held Certificate Listing (.pdf) -- 68 kb
Click here to view/download the 2006 County Held Certificate Listing (.pdf) -- 73 kb
Click here to view/download the 2007 County Held Certificate Listing (.pdf) -- 100kb)
Click here to view/download the 2008 County Held Certificate Listing (.pdf) -- 218kb)
Click here to view/download the 2009 County Held Certificate Listing (.pdf) -- 138kb)
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)
Q. What rights to the property does a certificate owner have?
A. None. You have not purchased property. A tax certificate is an investment. This investment does not convey any rights or ownership to the certificate holder. Please note - Broward County does not guarantee eventual payment of tax certificates.
Q. What is the redemption period of a tax certificate?
A. The property owner can redeem a certificate at any time until the property is sold at a tax deed sale OR until the certificate has expired (7 years after the date of issuance).Q. Can I pay the taxes and own the property?
A. No. You have not purchased property. A tax certificate is an investment. This investment does not convey any property rights or ownership to the certificate holder. A certificate holder is an investor and the purpose of purchasing certificates is to earn interest on your investment not to get the property.
Q. Can I borrow the keys or make an appointment with Revenue Collection to view the property so that I can look at it before I buy?
A. Revenue Collection is NOT a Real Estate Agency, DOES NOT have the keys to the property and knows nothing about the condition of any property. Do your own research! The Property Appraiser’s office and their website have USE codes and maps. Revenue Collection can only tell you about the taxes that are due. Remember: You are trespassing if you go onto the property.
Q. Do liens follow the property?
A. Government liens always follow the property. It is important to research the payment history and type of property before you bid on certificates.
Q. Are tax certificates always a good investment?
A. The following possibilities, though not inclusive are some of the non-cost recoverable circumstances that could affect the amount of interest you earn on your investment and/or the amount of your investment:
- Owner files bankruptcy (interest could be reduced and/or Trustee will send you $7 per month, etc.)
- Department of Revenue correction on the taxes
- Court orders omitting of taxes
- Assessed value on the property by the Property Appraiser may be in error and not subject to retroactive correction when the problem is discovered
- Parcel may have had an assessed structure or wood frame home that is subsequently burned down, damaged or condemned
- Parcel may have had a mobile home on it at the time of the tax certificate sale which has been removed or destroyed, leaving the property vacant
- A condo that is part of a group of buildings that are later condemned, damaged or destroyed
Q. Does Broward County guarantee payment?A. Broward County DOES NOT guarantee eventual payment of tax certificates. Risks Exist! You must do your research.
Q. What is the interest rate on County-Held tax certificates?A. The interest rate is the maximum rate of interest allowed by law - 18%.
Q. Can I purchase a County-held certificate and right away make a tax deed application?A. You can only make a tax deed application if the tax certificate is 2 years old.
Q. Is there a limit to how many I can purchase?A. No. You can purchase as many certificates as you want. Be sure to do your research for purchasing.
Q. How do I purchase County-Held tax certificates?A. The following are the steps:
1. Obtain a quote. Review the list of available certificates, research the items and send an e-mail request for quote to countycerts@broward.org. Upon receipt of your e-mail, Revenue Collection will review the records to insure the requested certificates are still available and contact you, via e-mail advising the amount due to complete the certificate purchase(s). Be sure to list property ID number and certificate number. A "Request to Purchase" form will be provided in the e-mail for you fill out. Note: Amount due is determined by the month in which transfer of certificate is complete, not the month in which the request is submitted.
2. If you have not previously purchased certificates, you must obtain a bidder number from Revenue Collection. To do this complete a W-9 or W-8 form and mail or bring (faxed or e-mailed copies will not accepted as original signatures are required), the completed form along with your original social security or tax id number form must be brought to our office at Revenue Collection Division, Delinquent Tax Department, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301. Note: Your original documents will be returned.
Buyer numbers will not be issued until the time of the actual purchase.
3. If purchasing in the name of a company, you must provide copies of the articles of incorporation or other document whereby showing that you are authorized to complete the transaction on behalf of the company. * The signature on the W-9 form must be from an officer of the corporation and must state his/her position with the corporation or LLC.
4. Return the Purchase form with your payment to our office via mail at Revenue Collection Division, Delinquent Tax Department, 115 South Andrews Avenue, Room A-100, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301.
Q. How do I pay for the certificates?A. Payment for the purchase of County Held Certificates is required in the form of cashier's check or money order payable to: Broward County Revenue Collection
Q. Once I request a quote, how long do I have to purchase it?A. Certificates will be sold on a first come first served basis to the party whose payment is received first. The quote is only valid until the date given. The amount due changes on the first of every month and therefore, if payment is not received by the due date given, a new request for quote will be required.
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