Maryland Tax Sale Redemption Period Explained

If your property went to tax sale in Maryland, the most important thing you can know right now is how much time you have left.

Most homeowners do not know the answer — and the uncertainty is what keeps them frozen. The good news is that the timeline is set by state law, it is the same framework across Maryland, and once you understand it, you can make a clear decision instead of waiting in fear. Here is exactly how the redemption period works.

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You Still Own Your Home During the Redemption Period

The first and most reassuring fact: a tax sale does not transfer your home to anyone. Under the Tax-Property Article, Title 14, Subtitle 8, the buyer at the tax sale receives a certificate of sale — essentially a tax-lien certificate — not your deed. As the State Tax Sale Ombudsman explains, you remain the owner and keep the right to live in and use your home throughout the redemption period.

How Long Is the Redemption Period?

Under Tax-Property §14-833, a certificate holder generally cannot file to foreclose your right of redemption until:

  • At least 6 months after the tax sale for most properties in most Maryland counties.
  • At least 9 months after the tax sale for owner-occupied residential property in Baltimore City.
  • And there is an outer limit on the certificate holder: if they do not file to foreclose within 2 years of the sale, the certificate becomes void.

So you typically have at least six to nine months of protected time after the sale — and often longer in practice, because filing and the court process take additional time. But waiting is expensive, for the reason below.

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What It Costs to Redeem — and Why It Grows

To redeem, you pay the lien amount plus interest from the date of sale, plus certain fees. Under Tax-Property §14-820, redemption interest is commonly 6% per year on owner-occupied homes in some counties and as high as 18–20% on other property, accruing daily. Once the certificate holder is allowed to send the required notices and later add attorney and title-search fees, the redemption figure climbs further. The Maryland People's Law Library walks through these costs.

Your Three Practical Options

  • Redeem and keep the home — pay the full redemption amount. Best if you can afford it and want to stay.
  • Get help — the State Tax Sale Ombudsman and county prevention programs may offer payment plans or assistance, especially for older or low-income owners.
  • Sell during the redemption period — pay off the lien at closing and keep your remaining equity. A cash sale can close in as little as 7 days, well inside the window.

Frequently Asked Questions

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