Land sold for outstanding rates

If you own a property and don't pay the full amount of any outstanding rates, a council could sell the property under the Local Government Act 2008.

An owner of a property is either:

• the owner who was registered on the title
• or the owner's successors in title such as the executor or an administrator appointed by a Court.

How councils can sell a property

If a council has been unable to contact you or find your whereabouts, it may sell the property by a public auction.

The council can claim payment of the outstanding rates and its costs to sell the property from the money received at the sale.  

The council may pay the remaining money to the Public Trustee which then holds the money for the owner.

How to claim money held by the Public Trustee

If you want to claim the money held by the Public Trustee, you must write a letter to the Office of the Public Trustee to explain the reasons for your claim.

Your letter should include your supporting documents such as:

• original or certified copies of identification
• original or certified copies of probate or letters of administration or other court documents
• original or certified copies of death certificates or birth certificates
• any other originals or certified documents to show the line of executors or beneficiaries that give that person the entitlement to the money.

After you claim

Your claim will be reviewed. It is possible that the Public Trustee will ask you for further information before a decision will be made to pay out a claim.

Public Trustee funds list

This is the list of property sales that have generated funds held by the Public Trustee.