Jefferson County, Tennessee

Redeemable Deed59,217 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 judicial redeemable-deed county. Jefferson County, TN (Dandridge / Jefferson City / I-40 east of Knoxville — do not confuse with Jefferson County KY, AL, or NY) Clerk & Master runs delinquent tax property sales as public courthouse auctions. Official FAQ: sale date set by the delinquent tax attorney, not more than once a year; bidders must appear in person and pre-register; list published in the Standard Banner 30–45 days prior; payment day of sale by cash, cashier's check, or personal check; 1-year owner redemption from confirmation at 1% per annum plus reimbursed taxes. Contact 865-397-2404.

Auction logistics

Format

In-person (courthouse public auction)

Frequency

Not more than once annually; date set by delinquent tax attorney — watch Standard Banner notices

Platform

Jefferson County Clerk & Master — courthouse tax sale ↗

Deposit rules

Payment required the day of sale by cash, cashier's check, or personal check per Clerk & Master FAQ. Appear in person and register as a bidder before the sale. Confirm any deposit percentage or disqualifiers with the office (865-397-2404) when the list posts.

Title risk

Liens that survive the sale

Judicial tax sale subject to 1-year redemption after confirmation. After redemption expires, most junior private liens are cut off if properly joined; federal liens can survive.

Quiet title

Court confirmation helps; quiet title still commonly used when insurers want additional comfort on East Tennessee inventory.

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

Jefferson County Chancery Court — Clerk & Master (delinquent tax sales) ↗

865-397-2404

Clerk of court

Jefferson County Register of Deeds / Circuit Court resources ↗

Property appraiser

Jefferson County Property Assessor ↗

GIS / parcel map

Jefferson County mapping / assessment resources ↗

Areas trending up

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

Jefferson City / Carson-Newman edge

College and commercial corridor with stronger rental demand than rural precincts

Dandridge / Douglas Lake waterfront fringe

County-seat and lake recreation demand with relative scarcity of waterfront lots

I-40 / Strawberry Plains west corridor

Knoxville metro spillover commute with attainable SF pricing