Real estate title glossary
What is redemption period?
Also called: right of redemption
Definition
The redemption period is the time during which a former owner can reclaim property after a tax sale or foreclosure by paying what is owed, set by state law.
Lengths vary from none to several years depending on the state and the kind of sale. During it, the buyer's title is incomplete.
How it shows up in a title search
A search notes when a sale happened, so a reader can tell whether the redemption period may still be open.
Guides that go deeper
- Tax Sale: How a Property Tax Sale Works, State by StateA tax sale auctions a property, or the lien on it, for unpaid property taxes. How lien sales and tax deed sales differ, redemption, notice, and title impact.
- Sheriff Sale: How It Works and What Happens to Liens AfterwardA sheriff sale is a court-ordered public auction of property. How it works, what happens to liens, and how to find sheriff's deeds (2,235 in Philadelphia).
- The NYC Tax Lien Sale: How Properties End Up on the ListHow NYC’s tax lien sale works: which debts qualify, the 90/60/30/10 notice sequence, what changes after a lien sells, and where to check a specific BBL.
Related terms
Source: Legal Information Institute, Wex: right of redemption. Plain-English summary of general US usage; state law varies, and this is not legal advice.