DC's Office of Tax and Revenue holds an annual real property tax sale. Up to 18% interest, 6-month redemption window. Explore all DC delinquent properties on one map.
Explore Washington DC →The District of Columbia Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR) conducts an annual real property tax sale each spring. Delinquent properties are sold to investors as tax lien certificates. DC Code § 47-844 sets the maximum interest rate at 18% per annum on delinquent taxes.
Unlike most states where counties run separate sales, DC holds one District-wide auction. Investors bid on lien certificates by indicating the lowest interest rate they're willing to accept to redeem the property. The certificate is awarded to the investor willing to accept the lowest rate.
Certificate holders earn interest on their investment for the full redemption period. Property owners have 6 months to redeem the lien by paying the outstanding taxes plus accrued interest. If the owner does not redeem within 6 months, the certificate holder may begin foreclosure proceedings.
All DC tax sales are conducted online through the official auction platform at DTSbid.com. Investors must register in advance and submit a deposit before the auction.
Live data — updated as new sales are announced. Click any county to open the map filtered to that county.
| County | Next Auction | Properties | Official Site | Explore |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia County | TBD | 12 | — | View on Map |
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Open Washington DC Map →DC Code § 47-844 sets the maximum interest rate at 18% per annum on delinquent real property taxes. Investors bid down the interest rate at auction, with the lowest rate winning the certificate. In practice, highly desirable properties may be won at rates well below the maximum.
DC property owners have 6 months from the date the lien is recorded to redeem the certificate by paying all outstanding taxes plus accrued interest at the awarded rate. After 6 months without redemption, the certificate holder may file a foreclosure action in DC Superior Court.
The DC Office of Tax and Revenue conducts its annual real property tax sale online through DTSbid.com. Investors must register on the platform before the auction, submit a deposit, and place bids during the sale. The sale typically takes place in spring; check dtsbid.com for the current year's schedule.
DC's 18% statutory maximum interest rate is among the highest in the country, and the 6-month redemption period means capital is not tied up long-term. DC's high property values and strong real estate market make redemption likely. However, DC's unique urban property characteristics mean title issues should be researched carefully before bidding.
DC tax sales include residential, commercial, and mixed-use properties with delinquent real property taxes. The annual OTR sale primarily targets properties with chronically delinquent accounts. Due to DC's small geographic size and high property values, even one property can represent a significant investment opportunity.