Homeowners who have outstanding property taxes owed for 2022 and prior may be at risk of foreclosure. However, the City of Royal Oak is working to provide solutions and assistance to help residents maintain ownership of their properties.

As per the State of Michigan, the foreclosure process is a three-year one that involves multiple steps before foreclosure is declared. In the first year after property taxes are owed, the property tax is determined delinquent. In year two, forfeiture occurs. Year three brings foreclosure.

“Most of the foreclosures that happen, especially here in Oakland County, are vacant land or vacant structures. So, very few are actually structures where there is someone there inhabiting it,” said Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg.

The City of Royal Oak’s treasury’s office notifies owners prior to any action taking place on their property. Delinquency notices are issued in year one in June and September, and forfeiture notices are delivered in year two along with property visits from the office and publication and foreclosure hearing notifications. In year three, there is a foreclosure notice follow-up complete with claims information before the beginning of that process.

“Before foreclosure happens, we touch base with someone, I think it’s over 12 times. They get first class mail, certified mail, and they actually get two property visits.,” said Wittenberg. “We are out there, full court press, trying to let people know that we are here to help and try to prevent foreclosure.”

In 2023, Royal Oak reported 1,183 delinquent parcels, 162 forfeited parcels, eight foreclosed parcels and no land sale parcels. The following year showed a decrease in delinquent and foreclosed parcels, at 857 and 3, respectively. However, there was a rise in forfeited and land sale parcels in 2024 with 180 forfeited and three land sale parcels.

“We are required by law to have a land sale,” said Wittenberg. “We do a virtual online land sale so any property that is foreclosed, you can go online and bid on that.”

The foreclosure deadline is March 31, 2025. Following this time, all foreclosed properties will be transferred from the City of Royal Oak to the Oakland County Treasurer’s Office. Property owners are strongly encouraged to reach out to the city’s treasurer’s office to discuss their options.

“Our goal in our office is to collect taxes. Our goal is not to foreclose,” said Wittenberg. “So, we’re doing everything we can and that’s why I’m out here trying to let people know that we are here to help.”