Eligible Wayne County Property Owners Must File to Claim Surplus Foreclosure Proceeds by July 1

DETROIT – Wayne County Treasurer Eric Sabree is reminding resident and property owners whose properties were foreclosed in March 2026 that they may be eligible to claim surplus proceeds if their property sells for more than the minimum bid amount at upcoming auctions in September and October. 

“We encourage people whose property was foreclosed in March 2026 to file a claim for surplus proceeds by the July 1, 2026,” said Treasurer Sabree. “If your property was foreclosed in March 2026 and sells in the upcoming auctions for more than the minimum bid amount, you may be eligible to claim any remaining, surplus proceeds from that sale.”

Under Michigan law (MCL 211.78t), property owners or those holding a meaningful equity interest (such as a mortgagee or lienholder) at the time of foreclosure must submit a notarized Notice of Intent form by July 1, 2026, to begin the claims process.

Claimants must download the Notice of Intent form from the “Claims and Auction” page at www.waynecountymi.gov/Treasurer/Claims-Auctions, complete all application and property details, and have the form notarized. The completed form must be hand-delivered or sent via certified mail to the Treasurer’s Office before the deadline. 

Property owners who file a claim by July 1, 2026, will receive notification from the Treasurer’s office by January 31, 2027, regarding any available surplus. 

Because foreclosure and surplus-proceeds laws are complex, individuals seeking guidance are encouraged to contact the State Bar of Michigan’s Legal Referral Center at lrs.michbar.org or (800) 968-0738.

“Surplus Proceeds” are any monies remaining from the auction sale of foreclosed property, after back taxes and sales costs have been paid.  

“Our office is committed to working with Wayne County resident and property owners to help people keep their property whenever possible, and we have taxpayer assistance programs to help people struggling to pay their property taxes,” said Treasurer Sabree. “However, in the event that a property is foreclosed and sold at auction to pay back taxes, we want to make sure that eligible property owners receive any surplus proceeds from the sale of their property — but they must file a claim by July 1, 2026.”

WHAT: 

Deadline for eligible property owners and lienholders to file a Notice of Intent to claim surplus proceeds from March 2026 foreclosures. Claimants must submit a notarized Notice of Intent form by mail or in person. Forms and FAQs are available at WayneCountyMI.gov/Treasurer on the “Claims and Auction” page as noted above.

WHERE:
Wayne County Treasurer’s Office
400 Monroe St, 5th Floor
Detroit, MI 48226 

WHEN: 

Deadline: Wednesday, July 1, 2026 

Notification: Claimants will receive a response (Form 5744) by January 31, 2027.

If a surplus exists, claimants must then file a motion with the 3rd Circuit Court between February 1, 2027, and May 15, 2027.

WHO:
Anyone who owned property or held a meaningful equity interest (title, mortgage, liens) in a Wayne County property at the time it was foreclosed in March 2026 may be eligible to claim surplus foreclosure auction proceeds. For questions or assistance, visit WayneCountyMI.gov/Treasurer or seek legal guidance through the State Bar of Michigan’s Legal Referral Center at lrs.michbar.org or (800) 968-0738.