Houston County, Alabama

Tax Lien109,366 residents

County research last verified 2026-07. Office holders, platforms, and deposit rules change — re-confirm anything time-sensitive.

Sale typestate default

Tax Lien

Redemption periodstate default

3 years from sale (certificate holder); owner may redeem administratively for up to 3 years after that in some cases

Investor returnstate default

12% per annum statutory interest

Governing statutestate default

Alabama Code Title 40, Ch. 10

Notes

Alabama hybrid tax-lien county using online certificate sale. Houston County Revenue Commission partners with GovEase for the annual online tax lien auction beginning Monday, May 4, 2026 at 9:00 a.m. CDT (for 2025 taxes). Registration opened ~April 3, 2026 per GovEase flyer. Parcel list published by Revenue Commissioner (XLSX on county news). Buyer receives a tax lien certificate, not fee title; statutory interest/redemption under Ala. Code Title 40 then tax deed path. GovEase support: 769-208-5050 option 2.

Auction logistics

Format

Online

Frequency

Annually first Monday of May (2026: May 4 at 9:00 a.m. CDT)

Platform

GovEase — Houston County AL tax lien auction ↗

Deposit rules

Register on GovEase before the auction window; post any required deposit/processing fee per GovEase storefront for the Houston County sale. Confirm cleared-funds deadline on the auction page. Training/registration flyer on county Revenue site.

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

At the certificate stage the buyer holds a lien, not clear title — owner redemption extinguishes the certificate. After a tax deed issues, most private liens are cut off, but federal tax liens (IRS 120-day post-sale redemption) and some governmental assessments can survive.

Quiet title

Practically recommended after a tax deed issues. Title companies often require quiet title (or judicial confirmation under Ala. Code Title 40) before insuring for resale.

Offices and records

Tax collector

Houston County Revenue Office — Tax Sale ↗

Clerk of court

Houston County Probate / Recording (tax deeds) ↗

Property appraiser

Houston County Revenue / Assessment parcel data ↗

GIS / parcel map

Houston County GIS / parcel mapping resources ↗

Areas trending up

Directional read from dated market analysis — not a guarantee, and not a substitute for your own comps.

Dothan / downtown and medical corridor

Regional hospital and retail hub supporting SF and small multifamily demand

Ross Clark Circle commercial fringe

Ring-road employment and retail with liquid starter inventory

Rehobeth / Taylor south fringe

Suburban school-driven demand with more attainable entry than core Dothan