Hamilton County, Tennessee

Redeemable Deed386,256 residents

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

Sale typestate default

Redeemable Deed

Redemption periodstate default

1 year from the court's confirmation of sale (courts have discretion to extend)

Investor returnstate default

10% per annum statutory penalty on redemption

Governing statutestate default

Tennessee Code Title 67, Ch. 5

Notes

Tennessee redeemable tax-deed county. Hamilton County Clerk & Master conducts judicial delinquent-property tax auctions (recent documented cycle Thursday June 5, 2025, Commission Room, 4th floor, Hamilton County Courthouse, 625 Georgia Ave, Chattanooga — registration 9:00 a.m., sale 10:00 a.m.). Opening bid equals taxes, penalties, interest, attorney fees, and court costs. One-year redemption from Order Confirming Sale at 12% per annum (simple). Unsold parcels can later be offered by county Real Property Manager via sealed bid after redemption. Sold AS IS; Clerk & Master makes no title warranties.

Auction logistics

Format

In-person (hybrid online option may appear on some notices — confirm current cycle)

Frequency

Generally annual (e.g. June 2025 cycle); advertised in Hamilton County Herald ~10+ days prior — confirm next date with Clerk & Master

Platform

Hamilton County Clerk & Master — Delinquent Property Tax Sale ↗

Deposit rules

Full payment commitment at bid; cash/cashier’s check practice for TN chancery tax sales — confirm exact forms on current sale packet. Withdrawing after accepted bid can forfeit payment and risk contempt. Purchaser records muniment of title at Register’s Office (Rm 400; 423-209-6560). City of Chattanooga property-maintenance code can apply during redemption on city parcels.

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

Judicial tax sale subject to one-year statutory redemption. Subsequent-year taxes not in the opening bid may remain purchaser responsibility. Federal tax liens and some governmental interests can survive. Independent title search essential; no warranties from Clerk & Master.

Quiet title

Order Confirming Sale helps, but quiet title is commonly used after redemption expires for insurable/marketable title, especially before resale or conventional financing.

Deal maths for Tennessee

Assessment ratio: 0.25× of market value
Typical quiet title: $1,800–$5,000 · 5 mo
Recording and transfer: $250

T.C.A. § 67-5-801 and Tenn. Const. art. II, § 28: residential and farm property is assessed at 25% of value, industrial and commercial at 40%, public utility at 55%. This entry uses the 25% residential rate.

Offices and records

Tax collector

Hamilton County Clerk & Master (delinquent tax sales) / County Trustee (current taxes) ↗

423-209-6600

Clerk of court

Hamilton County Register of Deeds (records tax deeds) ↗

Property appraiser

Hamilton County Assessor of Property ↗

423-209-7300

GIS / parcel map

Hamilton County GIS / Assessor property resources (Heritage Park Drive assessor campus) ↗

Areas trending up

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

Downtown Chattanooga / Southside

Riverfront redevelopment, tourism, and office absorption supporting liquid urban SF and small multifamily turns

Northshore / Red Bank edge

Walkable amenity demand and bridge access to core jobs with resilient resale

East Brainerd / Hamilton Place corridor

Retail employment density and suburban SF inventory absorbing metro growth