Tax Lien Foreclosure Help in Montville Township, New Jersey
If you own a home in Montville Township and you are behind on property taxes, you may be worried about losing your property. You are not alone, and this guide is here to help you understand what happens next, what your rights are, and where to find help.
How Tax Lien Sales Work in Montville
Montville Township is a mid-sized community in Morris County with approximately 24,562 residents. Like all New Jersey municipalities, Montville holds annual Tax Lien Certificate sales to recover unpaid property taxes under N.J.S.A. 54:5-1 et seq. The Municipal Tax Collector sells a lien on your property to an investor -- not the property itself. That investor pays your back taxes, and you then owe them with interest up to 18 percent. If you do not redeem the lien, the certificate holder can file to foreclose in Superior Court.
The key protection: you have a right of redemption. You can pay the full amount owed and keep your home at any time before a final court judgment.
Your Rights as a Homeowner
- Right of Redemption: Pay the lien, interest, and costs before final judgment to keep your property.
- Required Notice: Lien holders must notify you before filing foreclosure.
- NJ 2024 Reform Law: Signed July 10, 2024, this law prohibits keeping your surplus home equity in a tax lien foreclosure -- a direct response to the Tyler v. Hennepin County Supreme Court ruling.
- Tyler v. Hennepin County (2023): The U.S. Supreme Court ruled unanimously that governments cannot seize home equity beyond the tax debt owed. This is your constitutional right under the Fifth Amendment.
Steps to Take Now
- Contact the Municipal Tax Collector in Montville (Morris County). Ask about your account status, outstanding liens, and redemption options.
- Get the redemption amount -- the total of your tax debt, interest, and legal costs.
- Ask about payment plans. Many NJ municipalities offer hardship programs.
- Act before final judgment. Once the court rules, your redemption right ends.
- Know your surplus rights. If foreclosure proceeds, you may be owed equity beyond the debt under the 2024 law.
Free Help from AuctionBlock.org
AuctionBlock.org is a mission-driven company that helps homeowners facing tax foreclosure. We provide free education about New Jersey's tax lien process, help you understand your rights, and assist with surplus fund recovery for a flat $4,999 fee upon successful recovery. Visit AuctionBlock.org today.
AuctionBlock.org is a mission-driven company. This is educational information, not legal advice. Consult a licensed NJ attorney for your situation. Last updated: April 2026.