Michigan delinquent tax lists by county
Short answer: Michigan is a deed state, so a winning bidder gets the deed itself, so a winning bid transfers ownership of the property. Counties take absolute title through tax forfeiture after roughly 3 years, then auction deeds in late summer and fall. Each county publishes its own delinquent roll through the County Treasurer. Below is every Michigan county we cover, with the live count of distressed owners in each.
Counties covered
83
Every one has its own ranked list and county-level rules page.
Flagged owners statewide
44,416
Carrying at least one distress signal in public records, refreshed daily.
Sale type
Deed
The deed transfers at the sale. Whether the former owner can still redeem afterward depends on Michigan law and the kind of sale, so read the county's sale notice before bidding.
Every Michigan county we cover
Sorted largest first. Each county page carries the official list source, the sale rules and the live ranked list of owners under pressure right now.
Michigan tax sale rules
| Tax sale system | Michigan is a deed state. A winning bidder gets the deed itself, so a winning bid transfers ownership of the property. |
|---|---|
| Rate and cadence | Counties take absolute title through tax forfeiture after roughly 3 years, then auction deeds in late summer and fall. |
| After the tax sale | The deed transfers at the sale. Whether the former owner can still redeem afterward depends on Michigan law and the kind of sale, so read the county's sale notice before bidding. |
| Who publishes the list | The County Treasurer in each county. |
| Foreclosure path | Non-judicial, typically 2 to 3 months to sale from filing to sale. |
| Deficiency after sale | Allowed. |
| Local note | Foreclosure by advertisement is fast, but the 6 month redemption keeps occupants in place well after the auction. |
The Michigan delinquency clock
Michigan delinquent tax list FAQ
Is Michigan a tax lien or tax deed state?
Michigan is a deed state. A winning bidder gets the deed itself, so a winning bid transfers ownership of the property. Counties take absolute title through tax forfeiture after roughly 3 years, then auction deeds in late summer and fall.
Where do I find the Michigan delinquent tax list?
Each county publishes its own list through the County Treasurer, usually as a PDF before a scheduled sale. Pick your county below for the official source plus the year-round ranked list of distressed owners in that area.
How long does an owner have to redeem in Michigan?
The deed transfers at the sale. Whether the former owner can still redeem afterward depends on Michigan law and the kind of sale, so read the county's sale notice before bidding. That window is the single biggest thing separating a good tax-sale trade from a bad one, because it decides how long your money sits before you can act.
How many tax-delinquent properties are there in Michigan?
Across the 83 Michigan counties we track, roughly 44,416 properties currently carry at least one distress signal in public records, including tax delinquency, foreclosure filings, vacancy and long-distance ownership. The counts refresh daily.
Can I buy Michigan tax-delinquent property before the auction?
Yes. The delinquency appears in the public record months before any sale is scheduled, and during that window the owner can still sell normally. That is the whole opportunity: no bidding war, an inspection is possible, and an owner with equity walks away with money instead of nothing.