Understanding Trenton’s 2025 Tax Sale: What Residents Need to Know why the 2025 Tax Sale is happening and includes unpaid water bills
Overview
The City of Trenton will conduct its 2025 annual tax sale in accordance with New Jersey state law. Because many questions have focused specifically on the inclusion of water and sewer liens, this information sheet explains how the tax sale works, why unpaid water charges are part of it, and what residents should know if they received a notice.
1. Why There Are Many Water and Sewer Liens This Year
Trenton Water Works (TWW) has not participated in a tax sale for more than five years. Beginning in 2020, the State of New Jersey imposed a COVID-19 shutoff moratorium preventing utilities from disconnecting service for nonpayment. That moratorium was only recently lifted.
During this period, many customers—some knowingly, some unintentionally—did not pay their water bills. As a result, unpaid water and sewer balances have accumulated to several million dollars across more than 6,000 Trenton accounts.
Every other New Jersey municipality includes unpaid water balances in its annual tax sale. Trenton has been unable to do so since 2020, contributing to this year’s larger number of water-related liens.
2. State Law Requires Inclusion of All Outstanding Balances
Under New Jersey tax law, once the statutory cutoff date arrives (November 11 this year), the Tax Collector must include all outstanding balances in the tax sale, including:
• Property taxes
• Special Improvement District (SID) assessments
• Water charges
• Sewer charges
There is no legal minimum amount. A lien may be placed for any outstanding balance. Municipalities cannot exempt small balances from the sale.
3. Why the City Cannot Cancel or Change the Sale After Certification
After the outstanding balances are certified and notices are mailed, the process is governed strictly by state statute. At this point, the City cannot cancel the sale, remove individual properties, or modify the list.
While Council could have chosen not to authorize a tax sale this year, doing so—after five years without a water-lien sale—would have put additional financial stress on both the City and the water utility.
4. Why Some Property Owners May Be Unaware of a Water Lien. Certain situations may lead to unexpected water balances:
• Tenants who moved out without paying the water bill
• Title companies that did not identify outstanding balances at closing • Rental-property owners who did not receive notice of unpaid charges
These scenarios occur statewide. Under state law, water charges attach to the property, not to the individual occupant. In most cases, landlords or title companies resolve the balance once informed.
5. Fraud Concerns and Safeguards
Some residents have expressed concern that lien sales may create opportunities for fraud. Trenton uses the same legal safeguards required statewide, including:
• Multiple mailed notices
• Newspaper publication
• Posting of notices in five public locations
• Public access to the full lien list
• Use of a regulated, state-approved online tax sale platform
These protections ensure transparency and compliance. Trenton’s process is the same as used in municipalities across New Jersey.
6. Temporary Closure of the Online Payment Portal
During the legally defined tax sale period, municipalities must deactivate online tax payment portals to ensure proper verification and processing. This is standard statewide.
Ewing Township and many other municipalities follow this practice. Trenton has used the same procedure consistently.
7. Collections and Financial Stability
Because TWW could not participate in tax sales for over five years—and because the State’s Winter Termination Program remains in effect—the utility’s collection rate is currently about 69%, below the industry benchmark of 95%.
The tax sale is an essential statutory tool that allows municipalities and utilities to recover delinquent balances and maintain financial stability.
8. What Residents Should Do
Residents who received a tax sale notice should:
1. Contact the Tax Office at (609) 989-3070 to confirm their balance. 2. Make payment by December 12, 2025, following the provided instructions.
3. Review the full tax sale list, available at:
https://Trenton.newjerseytaxsale.com
4. Visit the City’s website for additional information and resources.
City staff are available to assist residents with questions regarding notices, balances, and payment methods.
9. On-Site Assistance at City Hall for Water-Related Questions
To ensure residents receive accurate information and timely assistance, the Tax Collection Office and Trenton Water Works have arranged to station two TWW employees in the City Hall Atrium every Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., each day leading up to the tax sale.
These TWW representatives are available to:
• Answer questions about water and sewer balances
• Review account histories
• Assist with understanding tax sale notices related to TWW charges • Help residents identify next steps for resolving outstanding balances. Residents are encouraged to visit City Hall during these hours if they need in-person support.
Closing Statement
After several years without a water lien sale, the 2025 process marks a return to the standard statewide system. The City of Trenton is following all legal requirements and taking the necessary steps to ensure the stability of municipal operations and the water utility. Residents are encouraged to contact the Tax Office with any questions or for further clarification.
