Webinar: Land Banks and Tax Delinquent Properties – Opportunities, Challenges, and Best Practices
Additional materials and links can be found at the bottom of this page.
Presented on Thursday October 16th, 2025
Webinar Description:
There is a strong correlation between tax delinquency and blight. Land banks have special powers to acquire tax delinquent properties and return them to productive use. A land bank’s superpower is buying tax delinquent properties at judicial sale at low cost and without public bidding. This superpower is called priority bid.
Land banks also acquire tax delinquent properties through private tax sales, sheriff sales, and from the repository lists of unsold properties. Due process and other constitutional and statutory requirements must be followed to ensure the legality of the acquisitions.
In this session, lawyers with expertise in land banks, tax sales, and private property rights will identify opportunities and challenges presented by tax delinquent properties and outline some best practices for avoiding legal challenges.
Moderator: Winnie Branton, Esquire
Speakers: Mandi Culhane, Esquire, GRB Law ; Frank D’Amore, Esquire, Fitzpatrick, Lentz & Bubba ; Matthew Kreis, Center for Community Progress.
Additional Materials and Links:
- Philadelphia Ordinance Amendment
2. Sample Equity Preservation Notice Form Allegheny County
Links:
Reimagine Delinquent Property Tax Enforcement
CCP Tyler v. Hennepin Policy Brief 2024
CCP Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, Pittsburgh, September 2026