Purchase Property in a Land Tax Sale

The statutory method for collecting delinquent real estate taxes is through a land tax sale. The City of St. Louis holds land tax sales several times a year. Those who want to bid on properties at a land tax sale must fill out a pre-registration form no less than 10 days before the sale date.

The Parcels are not listed on the City website until they have been published two weeks prior to the date of the sale on the St. Louis Daily Record.

Time and Location

Sales are held outside at 9:00 am sharp on the 11th Street Side.

List of Properties

The list of properties will be posted on this page two weeks prior to the sale.

Posting the listings on the City website is a courtesy to the public, and our list does not include full legal descriptions of the property.

1. View the list of properties (published 2 weeks prior to the date of the sale.)
2. It is recommended that you drive by all parcels you are interested in before bidding on any properties.
3. You must pre-register online prior to the date of the sale (see RSMo 92.825.4). On the pre-registration form, you will need to provide your name, address and phone number, business information if you are purchasing as an business, and the addresses of any other properties you or your business own.
   
   Pre-registration is to ensure that:
   • You or your business do not own property in the City of St. Louis that is delinquent in property taxes, subject to unpaid special tax bills, or vacant building fees.
   • You or your business have not previously bid at a Land Tax Sale but failed to pay bid amounts, confirm the sale, or sign a Sheriff deed.
   • You or your business do not have any building or housing code violations pending.
   Only one bidder application will be accepted per person or business. Please do not submit multiple applications.
   
   The deadline to pre-register for the sale is 10 days before the sale date.
4. Once you have pre-registered and the sheriff's office has determined that you meet the above qualifications to participate in the sale, we will e-mail you to let you know that your registration has been approved. You will pick-up your bidder number on the first day of the sale with a valid State ID.

Pre-register for the upcoming sale

On the day of the sale:

1. Arrive early.
2. Prospective purchasers (those who have pre-registered and notified that they have been approved) will need to present a valid photo ID. Ensure you have it with you.
3. Sales begin promptly at 9:00 am sharp outside of the Civil Courts Building, on the 11th Street side of the building.

Payment must be made in one of the following forms:

1. Cashiers Check (payable to Sheriff City of St. Louis)
2. Money Order (payable to Sheriff City of St. Louis)
3. Cash

The full amount for all properties purchased must be received by 2:00 PM on the date of sale without exception.

Two separate payments are required. One payment pays for the amount of the parcels purchased. The other form of payment is $150.00 per each parcel purchased.

Failure to pay for any parcels will result in loss of bidding privileges of any upcoming sales.

Acquiring property through the Sheriff's land tax sale may be highly technical and complicated. 

We strenuously suggest that you consult an attorney before bidding on any parcel of property.

For additional information please call (314) 622-4851.

See the Land Tax Sale Guidelines for Purchasers page for post-sale information.

If the successful bidder fails to pay for the property by the end of the day, the parcel is re-offered the next day. If the bid price for the same parcel of property is significantly less than the bid price on the first day, a loss results which can be recovered against the original successful bidder. Mo. Rev. Stat. § 513.240 (2007). The Sheriff will proceed to recover the loss, with costs, by filing a motion in the Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis against the original successful bidder.

Learn more about Delinquent Land Tax Suit and Sale Schedule from the Collector of Revenue's Office.