Thousands of Niagara Falls property owners face foreclosure as city officials launch an effort to collect millions in delinquent taxes.
City officials say they are issuing approximately 3,000 foreclosure warning letters to property owners who are behind in their taxes. It’s estimated that delinquent property taxes total in the millions of dollars in the city. Property owners that do not make payment in full by June 30 will see their properties enter foreclosure.
“The amount of outstanding property taxes is almost one-third of our total 2026 fiscal year budget, so even recouping a portion of the outstanding amount due to the city would have a significant and positive impact on our budget outlook,” Mayor Robert Restaino said. “This is a matter that is not unique to Niagara Falls as cities across the region and the state face the same dilemma of property owners who are not making property tax payments leaving municipalities with no choice but to foreclose on properties.”
The letters, issued by the City of Niagara Falls Billing and Collections Department, require that property owners send payment for all city taxes owed since 2023 as well as unpaid prior years. Payments must be made in full with checks paid to the order of the city controller.
The letter also requires that property owners pay all outstanding school taxes for 2024 and 2025 and unpaid prior years with checks payable to the order of the school district treasurer.
“There is no further grace period and, if payments are not made by June 30, the properties will be foreclosed,” Restaino said. “The city will then auction those properties through a competitive bidding process.”
For more information, contact the Billing and Collections Department at 716-286-4350.