Tax Sales and Sheriff Sales in New Hampshire

How tax sales work in New Hampshire

New Hampshire sells the property itself: the buyer gets a deed, and the owner's chance to pay ends at or before the sale.

What the buyer gets. The property itself, by deed from the municipality, with no interest to collect and no owner to wait out once the sale is final.

Redemption. Two years from execution of the tax lien (redemption is allowed 'at any time before a deed thereof is given by the collector')..

When and where the sales are held

Who runs them: Municipality (municipal tax collector executes the lien and deed; the selectmen or council sell tax-deeded property).

When: Liens are executed a few months after the final tax bill is delinquent; deeds issue two years later; municipalities schedule auctions of tax-deeded property as needed..

Where: Public auction (often by a licensed auctioneer, held on site or at a municipal building) or sealed bid, as chosen by the municipality's governing body..

The list of parcels for each sale is published by the office that runs it, usually a few weeks ahead, in the county's legal newspaper and on the county or platform site. UX Search does not list tax sale parcels; these sales are run by the counties and the platforms they contract, and the links on this page go to the official sources.

Sheriff sales and foreclosure sales in New Hampshire

New Hampshire mortgage foreclosure is non-judicial under the mortgage's power of sale (RSA 479:25): the mortgagee publishes notice once a week for three successive weeks in a local newspaper (first notice at least 20 days before the sale), serves or mails notice to the mortgagor at least 25 days ahead (45 days for residential mortgages), and sells at public auction on the premises. There is no post-sale redemption; the borrower must petition the superior court to enjoin the sale beforehand.

A tax sale and a sheriff sale are different animals even when the same office runs both. A tax sale clears unpaid property taxes and in most states wipes out junior liens; a mortgage foreclosure sale pays the lender and may leave tax liens in place. Before bidding at either, pull the title, read the judgment or the tax certificate, and know which liens survive the sale in New Hampshire.

Official sources for New Hampshire

• RSA 80:69 redemption (14% interest)
• RSA 80:76 tax deed
• RSA 479:25 power of sale foreclosure
• Town of Exeter: unpaid taxes, tax liens and deeding

Statute: RSA 80:58 through 80:91 (real estate tax liens, redemption, tax deeds and disposal of tax-deeded property); RSA 479:25 (power of sale foreclosure).

Questions people ask

Does New Hampshire sell tax liens or tax deeds?

New Hampshire sells the property itself: the buyer gets a deed, and the owner's chance to pay ends at or before the sale. New Hampshire municipalities keep tax liens themselves rather than selling them to investors: the tax collector executes a tax lien in the town's favor (RSA 80:60-80:65), interest rises to 14%, and the owner has two years to redeem. If not redeemed the collector deeds the property to the municipality (RSA 80:76), which then sells it, usually by public auction or sealed bid (RSA 80:80), returning any excess over taxes, interest and costs to the former owner.

How long is the redemption period after a tax sale in New Hampshire?

Two years from execution of the tax lien (redemption is allowed 'at any time before a deed thereof is given by the collector').

Who runs tax sales in New Hampshire?

Municipality (municipal tax collector executes the lien and deed; the selectmen or council sell tax-deeded property). Public auction (often by a licensed auctioneer, held on site or at a municipal building) or sealed bid, as chosen by the municipality's governing body.

When are tax sales held in New Hampshire?

Liens are executed a few months after the final tax bill is delinquent; deeds issue two years later; municipalities schedule auctions of tax-deeded property as needed.

Are sheriff sales in New Hampshire judicial?

New Hampshire mortgage foreclosure is non-judicial under the mortgage's power of sale (RSA 479:25): the mortgagee publishes notice once a week for three successive weeks in a local newspaper (first notice at least 20 days before the sale), serves or mails notice to the mortgagor at least 25 days ahead (45 days for residential mortgages), and sells at public auction on the premises. There is no post-sale redemption; the borrower must petition the superior court to enjoin the sale beforehand.

Can anyone bid at a tax sale or sheriff sale in New Hampshire?

Generally yes, with registration through the office or platform that runs the sale, and often a deposit or proof of funds. Payment is usually due the same day or within a few days in certified funds, and the property is sold as is with whatever title questions come with it. Read the county's terms for the sale you are bidding in; they differ from one county to the next in the same state.

Written from the New Hampshire statutes and official county pages, last checked October 27, 2026. Rules change by session and by county; the official sources above control. UX Search is independent, lists no tax sale parcels and never takes a bid.