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Bill

SB 52

Requiring owners of record be notified before real property can be sold due to nonpayment of taxes

2026 Regular Session

West Virginia bill requires property owners receive formal notice before tax-delinquent real property can be sold, protecting against loss without knowledge.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 52

Legislative bill overview

SB 52 requires that property owners be formally notified before their real property is sold due to nonpayment of taxes. The bill establishes a procedural requirement to ensure owners of record receive notice of tax delinquency and impending sale before the property can be auctioned off by the government.

Why is this important

Property tax sales can result in loss of homes and land, often with significant financial consequences for owners. Without proper notice requirements, owners may lose property without knowing they were behind on taxes, potentially due to mailed notices that went astray, address changes, or administrative errors. This bill creates a safeguard to ensure owners have opportunity to remedy the debt or contest the sale.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: Counties may incur expenses for certified mail, publication requirements, or other enhanced notification methods, potentially raising administrative costs
  • Timeline delays: Requiring additional notification steps could slow tax sale processes, affecting county revenue collection and delaying resale of properties
  • Definition disputes: Disagreement over who qualifies as "owner of record" (current vs. previous owners, joint owners, heirs) and how to locate owners with outdated contact information

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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