NYC Tax Lien Sale Scuttled In Clashing Cuomo, De Blasio Orders

NEW YORK CITY — A last-minute delay to New York City’s tax lien sale potentially saved thousands of low-income homeowners from calamity.

The reprieve unfolded in tit-for-tat announcements by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio.

First, Cuomo announced he issued an executive order that spiked the sale, which was criticized by a growing chorus of advocates and elected officials. Then, within minutes, de Blasio announced he delayed it until Sept. 25.

“Postponing the lien sale will allow New Yorkers more time to work with the City on their best path forward,” de Blasio said in a statement.

The tax lien sale — in which properties' debts on taxes, bills and other charges are scooped up by collectors — has been scheduled to go forward Friday after two delays.

Advocates and elected officials called on de Blasio to cancel the sale altogether or, at the very least, remove 4,700 small homes with three units or less from the list. Those homes are largely owned by low-income New Yorkers in communities of color hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, they argued.

"This decision to move forward with the lien sale is especially difficult to comprehend in light of evidence that it inordinately impacts communities of color," a group of officials led by state Attorney General Letitia James wrote.

But de Blasio gave no public evidence of budging. When asked about the concerns by a Patch reporter last week, he said the properties went on the list before the coronavirus crisis and could account for “a serious amount of money” for the city.

He appeared to relent Friday — the scheduled day of the sale — when his office released a statement announcing the “postponement.”

That statement came after Cuomo’s announcement — made with James — of his executive order.

"COVID-19 caused enormous disruption in the daily lives of New Yorkers, including their ability to keep a roof over their head," Governor Cuomo said in a statement. "The tax and water lien sale was delayed in May in recognition of this hardship, and given the current economic climate it makes sense to delay it again so that homeowners aren't facing further uncertainty. This measure is part and parcel with our ongoing efforts to help New Yorkers weather the ongoing public health emergency."

It’s unclear if Cuomo’s executive order would have any affect on the new tax sale date announced by de Blasio.

De Blasio’s release stated property owners facing hardships making their property tax payments can take advantage of Department of Finance exemption programs to lower the amount of taxes owed, standard payment plans or a new Property Tax and Interest Deferral (PT AID) program, for those who qualify.

The department also offerss a monthly property tax billing service to facilitate budgeting for property owners billed on a quarterly or semi-annual basis.

People can find out more on those programs can be found on the agency’s website, according to the release.