Tender packages are available for purchase at the Municipal Office for a small fee. The tender packages contain the required forms to be completed as part of a valid tender submission.

The sale of land for tax arrears by public tender is governed by the Municipal Act, 2001, S.O. 2001, c.25, including Ontario Regulation 181/03.  A Municipality may recover unpaid property taxes through the sale of a property.  By the time a property is eligible for tax sale, the property taxes are at least in their second year of arrears.

Tax sales are not typical real estate transactions.  The Municipality is only interested in recovering unpaid taxes and is not obligated to obtain fair market value.  Prior to considering participating in a tax sale, it is recommended that you seek independent legal advice from a lawyer licensed to practice in Ontario and in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada.

1. The Municipality is not aware of the condition of a property being advertised for sale nor does the Municipality make any representation as to its condition.  The Municipality does not provide a survey or reference plan for any parcel of land subject to a tax sale.
2. The Municipality is not required to provide vacant possession of any properties which may be occupied and accordingly, the purchaser should contact their lawyer.  
3. The onus is on the tenderer to conduct his/her own inquiries into the characteristics and conditions of the property including zoning, access, work orders, water/hydro and other arrears, building restriction, title problems,  liens, etc., each of which may survive the tax sale. The Municipality makes no representations whatsoever as to the quality and/or size of the land being purchased.
4. Properties sold through the tax sale process are sold without warranty and are sold as is.
5. The Municipality does not provide access to properties that are subject to a tax sale.  The Municipality does not have a key to the property and is not in a position to provide one to the purchaser.
6. The Municipality does not provide legal advice in respect of tax sales or any other matters.

Tender Process

Tax sales are conducted through a public tender process.  Tenders must be submitted in a sealed envelope prior to the specified time using prescribed Form 7, Tender to Purchase as per the Municipal Act, 2001.  The tender must include a deposit of at least 20% of the tendered amount in the form of a money order, bank draft, or cheque certified by a bank or trust corporation. 

Tenders are opened in a public forum on the date and time advertised.  Following the opening, the Municipality reviews all tenders for legislative compliance and determines the two highest qualified tenderers.  Rejected tenders are returned by mail to the tenderer along with their deposit and reason for rejection.   

The Municipality will notify the highest tenderer of the balance to be paid in order for the tenderer to be declared the successful purchaser.  The balance due must be paid in full within 14 calendar days of the mailing date of the notice.  Upon receiving notification, the highest tenderer should immediately retain a lawyer licensed to practice in Ontario and in good standing with the Law Society of Upper Canada.  If the balance is not paid within the 14 days, the tenderer’s deposit is forfeited and the property is offered for sale in the same manner to the second highest qualified tenderer. 

If there is no successful tenderer, the lands may vest to the Municipality.

The Municipality reserves the right to withdraw any property from the tax sale process at any time prior to registration of a tax deed without notice.

Sale of Land By Public Tender (Tax Sales)

FORM 6
SALE OF LAND BY PUBLIC TENDER
Municipal Act, 2001
Ontario Regulation 181/03, Municipal Tax Sale Rules

SALE OF LAND BY PUBLIC TENDER

THE CORPORATION OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF HASTINGS HIGHLANDS

Take Notice that tenders are invited for the purchase of the land described below and will be received until 3:00 p.m. local time on September 4, 2025, at the Hastings Highlands Municipal Office, 33011 Hwy. 62, Maynooth Ontario.

The tenders will then be opened in public on the same day as soon as possible after 3:00 p.m. at the Hastings Highlands Municipal Office, 33011 Hwy. 62, Maynooth.

Description of Land:
Roll No. 12 90 374 020 00300 0000; PIN 40036-0136 (LT); S 1/2 OF N 1/2 LT 3 CON 1 MONTEAGLE S/T BENEFICIARIES INTEREST IN QR291577; HASTINGS HIGHLANDS; COUNTY OF HASTINGS EXCEPT FORFEITED MINING RIGHTS, IF ANY; File No. 23-04
According to the last returned assessment roll, the assessed value of the land is $26,500
Minimum tender amount: $14,937.13

Tenders must be submitted in the prescribed form and must be accompanied by a deposit of at least 20 per cent of the tender amount, which deposit shall be made by way of a certified cheque/bank draft/ money order payable to the municipality.

Except as follows, the municipality makes no representation regarding the title to, availability of road access, or any other matters relating to the lands to be sold. Responsibility for ascertaining these matters rests with the potential purchasers. The assessed value, according to the last returned assessment roll, may or may not be representative of the current market value of the property.

Pursuant to the Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Act, S.C. 2022, c. 10, s. 235 (the “Act”), effective January 1, 2023, it is prohibited for a non-Canadian to purchase, directly or indirectly, any residential property, as those terms are defined in the legislation. Contraventions of the Act are punishable by a fine, and offending purchasers may be ordered to sell the residential property.

The municipality assumes no responsibility whatsoever for ensuring bidders/tenderers comply with the Act, and makes no representations regarding same. Prospective bidders/tenderers are solely responsible for ensuring compliance with the Act and are advised to seek legal advice before participating in this sale.

Transfers of properties that contain at least one and not more than six single family residences and are transferred to non-residents of Canada or foreign entities, are subject to the Province’s Non-Resident Speculation Tax (NRST).

This sale is governed by the Municipal Act, 2001 and the Municipal Tax Sales Rules made under that Act. The successful purchaser will be required to pay the amount tendered plus accumulated taxes and any taxes that may be applicable, such as a land transfer tax and HST.

TAKE NOTICE: Where a refund is claimed by a qualifying first-time Homebuyer under the Land Transfer Tax Act, the Municipality requires the purchaser to retain legal counsel to complete the transfer.

The municipality has no obligation to provide vacant possession to the successful purchaser.

A copy of the prescribed form of tender is available on the website of the Government of Ontario Central Forms Repository under the listing for the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

For further information regarding this sale and a copy of the prescribed form of tender, visit:
www.OntarioTaxSales.ca
or if no internet access available, contact:

Tanya Dickinson
Treasurer
The Corporation of the Municipality of Hastings Highlands
33011 Hwy. 62
PO Box 130
Maynooth ON K0L 2S0
613-338-2811 Ext. 290
[email protected]
www.hastingshighlands.ca