Kelowna & West Kelowna Tax Sales 2025 — Complete Guide with Property Lists, Redemption Rules, Interest Rates & FAQs

When most people think about buying real estate in the Okanagan, they imagine MLS® listings, presales, or private deals. But there’s another way properties can change hands in British Columbia: municipal tax sales.

Tax sales happen when property owners fail to pay their municipal property taxes for multiple years. Under BC’s Local Government Act, cities like Kelowna and West Kelowna are legally required to auction these properties to recover the debt.

For investors, tax sales can be an unusual type of investment — one that combines real estate with bond-like returns.

This guide is your complete 2025 resource for Kelowna and West Kelowna tax sales — including property lists, redemption rules, interest details, FAQs, and a realistic investor’s perspective.

What Is a Tax Sale in BC?

A tax sale is a public auction where municipalities sell properties with unpaid, delinquent property taxes.

• Who runs them: Cities and municipalities, like Kelowna and West Kelowna.

• When: 10:00 a.m. on the last Monday in September each year.

• Where: Auctions are held in each City Hall Council Chamber.

• Why: To recover unpaid property taxes, penalties, and interest.

How the Tax Sale Process Works

1. Unpaid taxes: After 1 year, unpaid taxes become arrears. After 2 years, they become delinquent.

2. Public notice: Cities must advertise the sale list, with the final publication 3–10 days before the sale.

3. Auction day: Held at City Hall. Bidding starts at the “upset price” (taxes + penalties + arrears interest + 5% + Land Title Office fees).

4. Winning bidder: Must pay the purchase price (their winning bid) immediately in guaranteed funds (certified cheque, bank draft, or cash).

5. Redemption period: Owners, lenders, or chargeholders have 1 year to redeem.

6. If redeemed: Buyer gets refunded the upset price and any costs they advanced, plus interest on the amount paid above the upset price and on advances.

7. If not redeemed: Buyer registers title and becomes the new legal owner.

The Redemption Period: What You Need to Know

• Length: 1 year after the auction.

• Before the sale: Owners can pay delinquent taxes in full to stop the auction.

• After the sale: Only full redemption payments are accepted — partials are no longer enough.

• Extensions: If the municipality is the purchaser and the property has improvements, the owner can pay 50% of the upset price + interest to extend redemption by 11 months and 21 days (province-wide rule).

⚖️ Reality check: Most homeowners redeem their properties. With a year to refinance, restructure, or sell, walking away rarely makes sense.

How the Interest Works (For Investors)

This is where many people get confused.

• Arrears interest (Prime + 3%): This is what the owner pays to the City on overdue taxes. It does not go to the tax sale purchaser.

• Redemption interest (set by Province): This is what the purchaser earns if the property is redeemed. It applies only to:

  • The amount bid above the upset price

  • Any taxes or costs advanced by the purchaser during the redemption year

📌 Example:

• Upset price: $200,000

• Winning bid: $210,000

• Purchaser advances $5,000 in property taxes during redemption year

If redeemed, the buyer gets:

• $200,000 upset price (refunded, no interest)

• $10,000 overbid + interest

• $5,000 advances + interest

The redemption interest rate is set quarterly by the Province (calculated as Prime + 3%). In 2025, municipalities have published rates around 7–8%, but always check the current rate before investing.

Investor’s Takeaway

• High odds of redemption: Most owners will redeem.

• Guaranteed return: Interest on your overbid and advances, set by the Province.

• Optionality upside: If not redeemed, you acquire real estate — often below market value.

• Alternative investment: Functions like a bond on the overbid portion, with real estate as a potential kicker.

Pros of Buying at a Tax Sale

✅ Chance to acquire property below market value
✅ Earn guaranteed interest if property redeems
✅ Most mortgages and charges cleared after redemption period expires
✅ Process clearly defined by BC law

Risks of Buying at a Tax Sale

⚠️ Capital tied up for a year (no liquidity)
⚠️ Properties sold “as is, where is” — no inspections or warranties
⚠️ Some liens (Crown, environmental, etc.) may survive
⚠️ Owners often redeem, meaning you may never take title
⚠️ Process complexity — must understand rules to avoid mistakes

2025 Kelowna Tax Sale Property List

📍 The following properties are scheduled for the Kelowna Tax Sale on September 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers, Kelowna City Hall (1435 Water Street).

⚠️ Properties may be withdrawn if delinquent taxes are paid before auction.

Kelowna Tax Sale Properties 2025

• 770 Stockwell Ave — Upset Price: $11,825.87
• 106 - 391 Tilley Rd — Upset Price: $52,997.85
• 706 Rose Ave — Upset Price: $12,776.84
• 20 - 170 Celano Cres — Upset Price: $13,166.10
• 62 - 170 Celano Cres — Upset Price: $13,097.59
• 139 Wyndham Cres — Upset Price: $12,389.10
• 223 Upper Canyon Dr N — Upset Price: $22,363.83
• 154 Applebrooke Cres — Upset Price: $27,480.98
• 1378 Rocky Point Dr — Upset Price: $18,986.16
• 338 Moubray Rd — Upset Price: $6,932.37
• 309 - 3185 Via Centrale — Upset Price: $4,458.70
• 9 - 2110 Matrix Cres — Upset Price: $26,892.04
• 2046 Bennett Rd — Upset Price: $12,241.60
• 12 - 1960 Northern Flicker Crt — Upset Price: $6,759.14
• 19 - 1960 Northern Flicker Crt — Upset Price: $16,003.63
• 4235 Shanks Rd — Upset Price: $11,463.52
• 2 - 3590 Mathews Rd — Upset Price: $1,543.07
• 2395 Abbott St — Upset Price: $18,955.74
• 4040 Casorso Rd — Upset Price: $88,604.65
• 1515 Pasadena Rd — Upset Price: $9,762.40
• 2126 Kaslo Crt — Upset Price: $16,001.12
• 2990 Dunster Rd — Upset Price: $51,601.97
• 715 Wayne Rd — Upset Price: $11,165.50
• 220 Dougall Rd S — Upset Price: $14,178.19
• 210 Dougall Rd S — Upset Price: $12,310.67
• 190 Dougall Rd S — Upset Price: $33,882.76
• 1155 Toovey Rd — Upset Price: $9,462.31
• 1032 Webster Rd — Upset Price: $14,913.47
• 515 Rutland Rd N — Upset Price: $25,737.81
• 1611 Elm St — Upset Price: $17,055.65
• 1131 Sutherland Ave — Upset Price: $97,848.63

2025 West Kelowna Tax Sale Property List

📍 The following properties are scheduled for the West Kelowna Tax Sale on September 29, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. in Council Chambers, West Kelowna City Hall.

⚠️ Properties may be withdrawn if delinquent taxes are paid  

• 3980 Milford Rd — PID: 007-093-071
• 1642 Pritchard Dr — PID: 004-831-233
• 2460 Smid Rd — PID: 007-307-012
• 137 - 4205 Gellatly Rd S — PID: 026-768-551
• 1950 Rosealee Lane — PID: 026-070-553
• 2796 Benedick Rd — PID: 011-515-384
• 4208 - 3842 Old Okanagan Hwy — PID: 027-771-067
• 1 - 2155 Horizon Dr — PID: 025-715-275
• 9 - 830 Westview Way — PID: 031-155-090
• 12 - 830 Westview Way — PID: 031-155-120
• 1843 Diamond View Dr — PID: 026-905-086
• 1018 Aurora Hts — PID: 027-710-513
• 2340 Thacker Dr — PID: 008-546-711
• 2210 Boucherie Rd — PID: 001-479-563
• 1543 Vineyard Dr — PID: 026-187-442
• 3366 Glencoe Rd — PID: 007-664-699
• 2818 Bentley Rd — PID: 026-899-418
• 2846 Bentley Rd — PID: 026-899-558
• Shannon View Dr — PID: 006-578-284
• 2370 Tallus Ridge Dr — PID: 027-366-405
• 1965 Cornerstone Dr — PID: 027-035-255
• 1765 Lenz Rd — PID: 024-548-791
• 703 Lake Crt — PID: 030-666-058
• 3871 Glenway Rd — PID: 005-578-302
• 2848 Lower Glenrosa Rd — PID: 003-311-279
• 3563 Goldie Way — PID: 029-762-146
• 2683 Lakeview Rd — PID: 026-791-749
• 3746 Astoria Dr — PID: 031-577-334
• 3750 Astoria Dr — PID: 031-577-342
• 3770 Astoria Dr — PID: 031-577-393
• 3769 Astoria Dr — PID: 031-577-504
• 3745 Astoria Dr — PID: 031-577-563
• 3737 Astoria Dr — PID: 031-577-580
• 3733 Astoria Dr — PID: 031-577-598
• 3525 McKellar Rd — PID: 012-078-522
• 2520 Crown Crest Dr — PID: 029-872-120
• 3388 McQueen Rd — PID: 005-456-860
• 2922 McAllister Rd — PID: 005-400-210
• 2950 McAllister Rd — PID: 028-300-815
• 1495 Scott Cres — PID: 005-944-538
• 3116 Coventry Cres — PID: 006-042-961
• 1654 Touriga Pl — PID: 031-272-835
• 1646 Touriga Pl — PID: 031-272-851
• 6 - 1798 Olympus Way — PID: 026-312-221
• 191 - 1699 Ross Rd — Folio: 72070.884
• 222 - 1699 Ross Rd — Folio: 72072.220
• 229 - 1699 Ross Rd — Folio: 72072.290
• 233 - 1699 Ross Rd — Folio: 72072.332
• 4A - 1375 Green Bay Rd — Folio: 72090.041
• 14A - 1375 Green Bay Rd — Folio: 72090.143
• 15B - 1375 Green Bay Rd — Folio: 72091.150
• 16B - 1375 Green Bay Rd — Folio: 72091.161

FAQs

Can I inspect properties before bidding?
No. Drive-by only. Properties are sold “as is, where is.”

Do I need cash to bid?
Yes. Certified cheque, bank draft, or cash in guaranteed funds.

What happens if the property redeems?
You’re refunded your upset price and advances in full. You also earn interest — but only on the amount bid above the upset price and on advances.

Do mortgages disappear?
Most mortgages and charges are cleared after the redemption period ends. Some liens (Crown, environmental) may remain.

Can owners delay sales?
Yes. If delinquent taxes are paid before the sale, the property is removed from the auction.

Final Thoughts

Kelowna and West Kelowna tax sales aren’t for everyone. The odds are high that properties will be redeemed — but that’s not a bad thing.

As a buyer, you either:

• Earn interest on your overbid and advances (a bond-like return), or

• Acquire real estate at a steep discount if redemption doesn’t happen.

Think of tax sales as a unique investment tool in the Okanagan real estate market. For patient investors willing to tie up funds for a year, they offer a calculated way to diversify.

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📞 Looking for a real estate deal, a holding property, or an ongoing investment in Kelowna or West Kelowna? Call me directly at 250-801-0361 and let’s talk strategy.