Liens carry up to 18% interest
Cuyahoga County in June sold $18 million in delinquent property tax debt, the highest amount on record for the county, according to data reported by the Associated Press and Signal Ohio. Franklin County last year sold $10 million, roughly double the size of most years’ sales.
In the Cincinnati area, both Hamilton and Warren counties sold more debt in 2025 and 2026 than in any year over the past decade, according to data from their treasurers’ offices. Lucas County is planning its first tax lien sale since 2008.
Those sales and others across the state brought tens of millions of dollars from investors based in cities from Omaha to Chicago, the data shows.
Ohio legalized the sale of delinquent property tax debt in 1998, joining roughly half of U.S. states that allow the practice.
Purchasers of the liens can collect up to 18% interest from property owners who fell behind on their taxes.