Water and Sewer Lien Sale

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All overdue water and sewer charges are considered a lien against your property. New York City has the authority to sell this lien to a third party, or lienholder, when the charges have been delinquent for more than a year.

When the City sells the lien it is not selling the property. The new lienholder does not take title to the property. The lienholder purchases the right to collect the money that was previously owed to the City. If the property owner does not pay what is owed, the lienholder can begin formal foreclosure proceedings.

Water and sewer liens will not be included in the 2021 Lien Sale.

Learn more about the lien sale.

  • Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
  • Division: Bureau of Customer Services Water Meter Services and Billing
  • Phone Number: (718) 595-7000
  • Business Hours: Monday: 8 AM - 7 PM; Tuesday - Friday: 8 AM - 6 PM; Saturday: 9 AM - 12 PM

Properties eligible for the lien sale include:

  • Tax Class 1 – Mixed use, two- and three-family homes with $2,000 or more in water and sewer charges outstanding for a year or more.
  • Tax Class 2 - Multi-family homes, including condos, with $1,000 or more in water and sewer charges outstanding for a year or more.
  • All commercial properties with $1,000 or more in water and sewer charges outstanding for a year or more.

Payment agreements may be available to customers whose property is to be included in an upcoming Lien Sale. Down payments can be as little as 0% down, and monthly payments can be spread out to a maximum of 10 years. The annual interest rate is 9% per year.

The Tax Lien Sale excludes:

  • Disabled Homeowners' Exemption properties (DHE)
  • Single-family properties
  • State Personal Income Tax (PIT) Circuit-Breaker Tax Credit properties
  • Senior Citizen Homeowners Exemption properties (SCHE)
  • HDFC Coops and condos (Housing Development Fund Corporation)
  • Accounts with an Active Bankruptcy petition
  • Active Duty military personnel 
  • Veterans
  • Accounts in current payment agreements
  • Accounts in the Water Debt Assistance Program

The Department of Environmental Protection's (DEP) Water Debt Assistance Program can help homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure. You may prevent the sale of your water and sewer debt in an upcoming Lien Sale if you meet all of the following requirements: 

  • You own and live in your home.
  • Your property is on the 90-Day Lien Sale Listing.
  • You are currently at least 30 days delinquent in paying your mortgage.
  • You are not currently in bankruptcy.
  • Your home is classified as a:
    • B0-B9: Two family residence
    • C0: Three family residence
    • S0: One family over two stores
    • S1: One family over one store
    • S2: Two family over one store
  • You get water and utility bills in your name at your home address and have a valid New York State ID.
  • All water and sewer charges were issued after you purchased the property.

To determine your eligibility, you must visit any DEP borough office or DEP's Central Office with a valid government-issued photo identification, proof of mortgage delinquency and proof of residency to complete a Water Debt Assistance Customer Participation Form and sign a Program Agreement.

Eligibility for this program can only be determined by DEP.

You can get this form:

Online

Learn more about DEP's Water Debt Assistance Program and download Customer Participation form.

In Person

Visit your local DEP borough office to get a copy of this form.

By Phone

  • Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
  • Division: Bureau of Customer Services Water Meter Services and Billing
  • Phone Number: (718) 595-7000
  • Business Hours: Monday: 8 AM - 7 PM; Tuesday - Friday: 8 AM - 6 PM; Saturday: 9 AM - 12 PM

DEP Borough Offices

Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Borough Offices are open Monday - Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM.

DEP recommends scheduling an appointment to ensure social distancing at its customer service offices in all five boroughs. Walk-in customers are still accepted.

Bronx 
1932 Arthur Avenue, 6th Floor
(Between East 176th Street and East Tremont Avenue)

  • Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
  • Division: Bronx Borough Customer Services
  • Phone Number: (718) 466-8481
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

Brooklyn
250 Livingston Street, 8th Floor
(Between Elm Place and Bond Street)

  • Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
  • Division: Brooklyn Borough Customer Services
  • Phone Number: (718) 923-2629
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

Manhattan 

55 West 125 Street, 9th Floor
(Between Lenox Avenue (aka Malcolm X. Boulevard) and 5th Avenue)

  • Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
  • Division: Manhattan Borough Customer Services
  • Phone Number: (212) 643-2201
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

Queens

59-17 Junction Boulevard, 9th Floor

Due to capacity limitations, customers can only be seen by appointment.  You must call to make a required appointment. 

Staten Island
60 Bay Street, 6th Floor
(Between Slosson Terrace and Bend)

  • Agency: Department of Environmental Protection
  • Division: Staten Island Borough Customer Services
  • Phone Number: (718) 876-6802
  • Business Hours: Monday - Friday: 9 AM - 5 PM

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