Franklin County Forfeited Land Sale: How the 2026 Auction Works

What the Franklin County forfeited land sale is

When property taxes go unpaid long enough, the county can foreclose and offer the parcel at a tax foreclosure sale. If no one bids enough and the parcel doesn’t sell, it can be forfeited to the State of Ohio. The County Auditor then offers forfeited parcels at a public auction under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5723, at a location in the county the Auditor designates.

Because these parcels already failed to sell at a tax foreclosure sale, they often include vacant lots, narrow strips of land or buildings in poor condition. Some can be bargains; others carry problems that aren’t visible from a listing.

People also call it the Franklin County forfeited property sale or the Franklin County Auditor’s sale; the Auditor’s own web page for it is named “AuditorSale.”

2026 sale details

Who can bid

1. Register before bidding. You must register with the Auditor’s clerk and get a bid number.
2. Register in the deed name. The name you register under must be the name to be typed on the deed.
3. Entities bring paperwork. Partnerships and corporations must show proof of their Ohio Secretary of State filing before registering.
4. Be current on property taxes. The Terms state forfeited lands shall not be sold to anyone delinquent on real property taxes in the State of Ohio.

Prior owners and related parties

Buyers may be asked to sign affidavits confirming they are not the prior owner, a family member of the prior owner, someone holding the prior owner’s power of attorney, or a sole proprietorship or partnership more than 50% controlled by the prior owner. The Terms add that if it’s discovered within three years that a prohibited party bought below the court-determined value, the difference will be added to future tax bills. Ohio law separately bars sales to delinquent buyers and, for less than the full taxes and costs owed, to prior owners and connected parties.

Payment rules and fees

Fees on top of your bid

• $45 deed fee
• $0.50 transfer fee
• Recording fees: $34 for the first two pages and $8 for each additional page, plus return postage. The Auditor handles recording but doesn’t pay the recording fees.

How minimum bids work

Under Ohio Revised Code 5723.06, forfeited land is first offered for an amount sufficient to cover certain taxes, assessments and costs set by statute. If no acceptable bid is received, the Auditor can sell the parcel for the best price obtainable. The state’s Director of Natural Resources can also give notice of intent to buy forfeited land, which then serves as a legal minimum bid. The parcel list shows what’s being offered; ask the Auditor’s office how opening bids are set for a parcel you’re interested in.

The risks: read these before you bid

The Terms of Sale are blunt. In summary:

• Buyer beware. “Caveat emptor” governs. The county isn’t responsible for the property’s condition, inaccurate addresses or photographs.
• No title warranty. The county provides no warranty of title.
• Liens can survive. All sales are subject to federal tax liens and the redemption rights of the United States, and may be subject to prior liens under Ohio Revised Code 5723.12.
• Redemption rights. The former owner has redemption rights under Ohio law.
• Parcel number rules. Sales are based solely on the permanent parcel number, not the street address.
• Final and non-refundable. All sales are final and all deposits are non-refundable.

Due diligence checklist

1. Pull the parcel record in the Auditor’s property search using the parcel number from the sale list: land size, building details, value history and tax history.
2. See it on the map. Check access, shape and neighbors in the Parcel Viewer. Landlocked parcels are common.
3. Search recorded documents at the Recorder for mortgages, liens and easements.
4. Check city or township issues such as code violations, demolition orders or zoning limits.
5. Ask a title company whether it would insure title after a forfeited land sale, and what steps it would require.
6. Look at the site from public areas. Don’t enter private property without permission.
7. Research neighbors. Adjacent owners are often the natural buyers of slivers and side lots; our owner search guide shows how to find them.

After you win

• Pay the balance by the deadline, in person, with an accepted payment method.
• The Auditor prepares and records the deed in the name you registered.
• Taxes on the parcel become your responsibility going forward. Set up billing with the Treasurer; see the tax bill guide.
• Talk to a real estate attorney about title, including whether any further action is needed before you can sell or finance the property.

How a parcel ends up at the Franklin County forfeited land sale

The path to forfeiture is long, which is why the parcels that reach this auction tend to have problems. In general terms under Ohio law:

1. Taxes go unpaid and penalties and interest build up.
2. The county pursues collection, which can include a tax foreclosure.
3. The parcel is offered at a tax foreclosure sale.
4. If it doesn’t sell for lack of bidders, it can be forfeited to the State of Ohio.
5. The County Auditor offers forfeited parcels at a public sale under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5723.

Along the way, owners have chances to pay and keep the property. If it’s your property, see the section below on redemption and call the Treasurer.

Budgeting the true cost of a forfeited parcel

The winning bid is only the start. A realistic budget includes:

Auction day checklist

1. Confirm the date and time by calling 614-525-4663, given the November 2 vs. November 5 conflict.
2. Bring your research: parcel numbers, records and your maximum bid for each parcel.
3. Bring accepted payment: cash, or a certified check, cashier’s check or money order for the exact amount, payable to Franklin County Auditor. Bring the $500 deposit for any bid over $500.
4. Bring entity paperwork if you’re bidding for a company: proof of its Ohio Secretary of State filing.
5. Register with the clerk in the exact name to appear on the deed, and get your bid number.
6. Be ready to sign affidavits about your relationship to prior owners.
7. Plan the balance payment in person on the 19th floor by Monday, November 9, 2026, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Forfeited land sale terms

After the sale: clearing title

Because the county gives no warranty of title and some liens can survive, many buyers find they can’t resell or get title insurance on a forfeited parcel right away. A real estate attorney can explain whether a court action is needed to clear the title and what it would involve. Factor that time and cost into your bid before the auction, not after.

Researching one parcel: a walkthrough

1. Get the parcel number from the Auditor’s Sale parcel search. Everything else depends on it; the sale is based solely on the permanent parcel number.
2. Open the Auditor’s record in the property search: land size, building details, value history and tax history.
3. Look at the map. In the Parcel Viewer, check road frontage, shape and neighbors. Many small strips are only useful to an adjoining owner.
4. Search the Recorder. Look for mortgages, liens, easements and prior deeds under the prior owner’s name.
5. Check local government. Ask the city or township about code violations, demolition orders, zoning and whether the parcel is buildable.
6. Talk to a title company. Ask what it would take to insure title after the sale.
7. Set your maximum bid including all fees, title work, clean-up and holding costs.

Common problems with forfeited parcels

A good fit for neighbors

Some of the best uses for forfeited parcels are simple: a homeowner adding an adjoining side lot, or a business adding a strip for parking. If you’re a neighbor, check whether you could combine the parcel with yours afterward using the Auditor’s Combination Request form, and whether zoning allows your intended use. The parcel number guide explains combinations.

How the sale works on the day

1. Arrive early and register with the Auditor’s clerk, using the exact name for the deed, and receive your bid number.
2. Parcels are offered by parcel number.
3. Bid using your bid number. Stick to the maximum you set during research.
4. If you win a parcel of $500 or less, pay in full at the sale, including fees.
5. If you win at more than $500, pay the $500 non-refundable deposit immediately after the sale.
6. Sign any affidavits the Auditor requires about prior owners.
7. Pay the balance on the 19th floor by Monday, November 9, 2026, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Ohio forfeited land law basics

• Chapter 5723 of the Ohio Revised Code governs forfeited lands.
• Section 5723.06 covers how the county auditor sells forfeited land, including minimum bid rules, the “best price obtainable” fallback and the Director of Natural Resources’ option to buy.
• Section 5723.12 is cited in the Auditor’s terms regarding prior liens that may survive.
• Affidavits confirming buyers meet statutory requirements are required before the Auditor transfers title.

For how the underlying taxes accrue before a parcel reaches this stage, see the property tax guide.

Taxes after you buy

From the sale onward, taxes on the parcel are the buyer’s responsibility. Update the mailing address with the Treasurer so bills reach you, check the parcel’s value in the property search, and if you’ll combine it with land you already own, ask about the Combination Request form.

Who typically buys at forfeited land sales

Finding the prior owner and neighbors

Use the owner search to see who owned the parcel before forfeiture and who owns the land around it. That helps you understand the parcel’s history, and it identifies the neighbors most likely to want a strip or side lot. Remember that prior owners and closely related parties face restrictions at the sale.

If your property is on the list

If you’re the former owner, contact the Auditor (614-525-4663) and the Treasurer (614-525-3438) immediately and ask about redemption. Ohio law gives former owners redemption rights, but the window is limited, and delinquent taxes, penalties and costs must be paid.

2026 forfeited land sale at a glance

After you buy, the Auditor records the deed; our transfers guide explains recording, and the property lines guide explains when a survey is worth ordering.

Why these parcels didn’t sell before

A parcel only reaches the forfeited land sale after going unsold at tax foreclosure. Common reasons include very small or irregular size, no road access, a building needing demolition, environmental concerns, or title problems that deter buyers. Some parcels are simply overlooked, which is where careful research pays off. Knowing why a parcel failed to sell earlier is the best guide to whether it makes sense for you.

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