Home › Buyer guides to auctions in Québec
City of Montréal tax sale auction 2026: how it works
Once a year, the City of Montréal auctions properties whose taxes went unpaid. In 2026, it's on November 2.
Dates, locations and terms change often. Always confirm directly with the auction house or agency before you travel or bid. Montréal Auctions is not affiliated with any organization listed here and sells nothing.
At a glance (2026 sale)
- Date: Monday, November 2, 2026, 10 a.m. (arrive from 8:30 a.m.)
- Place: Marché Bonsecours, 350 Saint-Paul St. East, Old Montréal
- Format: live outcry auction, in person
- Property list: published in September and updated until the final list on November 2, 2026
Source: Montréal.ca – Acheter un immeuble à la vente pour taxes (the City’s page is in French). Listing: City of Montréal – tax sale.
Why these properties are sold
When an owner doesn’t fully pay municipal taxes or transfer duties (the “welcome tax”), the City first takes several collection steps. If they fail, it starts the process of auctioning the property.
On sale day
- Read the terms of sale the City publishes before you go (PDF on the official page).
- Arrive early: the City asks people to be there from 8:30 a.m.
- To bid, you step up to a microphone and give your name, address and occupation, and say whether you’re buying for yourself or for another person or a company.
- The property goes to the highest bidder after three calls.
The right of redemption: the key point
For one year, the former owner can buy the property back. They must repay the amount you paid on sale day plus 10%. The buyer cannot refuse. In other words, you buy knowing the property could be taken back during that year.
Before you bid: sensible tips
- Check the property against the final list (properties are removed up to the last day).
- Have a notary or lawyer review your legal questions (title, redemption, fees): this guide is general information.
- Line up your financing in advance; payment terms are in the City’s terms of sale.
For court-ordered property sales (foreclosures), see our guide to judicial sales in Québec.
Frequently asked questions
When and where is the 2026 tax sale?
November 2, 2026 at 10 a.m., at Marché Bonsecours, 350 Saint-Paul St. East. The City asks bidders to arrive from 8:30 a.m. (Montréal.ca).
If I buy, is the property mine right away?
Not permanently. The former owner has one year to exercise a right of redemption, meaning they can buy it back by repaying the price you paid plus 10%. You can’t refuse.
Can a property drop off the list before the sale?
Yes. Owners can pay what they owe any time before the sale, and the property is then removed. That’s why the list is updated regularly until sale day.
Do other cities hold tax sales too?
Yes, for example Laval. Each municipality publishes its own dates and terms.
Information checked on 2026-10-27.