Derelict Residential Tax Subclass

Main page content begins here

The derelict residential subclass allows the City to charge a higher tax rate to owners of properties that are assessed as derelict.

Starting in 2024, the derelict tax subclass can be applied to residential properties in mature neighbourhoods that show serious signs of neglect, are falling into significant disrepair or are unlivable.

On October 2, 2024, Council updated the tax forgiveness policy to include partial refunds for formerly derelict properties.

Derelict property owners who clean up their properties can apply to be refunded their taxes paid at the higher derelict rate for the months of the year after they cleaned up their properties. This ensures taxes paid are equivalent to the general residential tax rate for the months following clean-up.

More information will be shared with derelict owners about this change during the coming year as an addition to their annual tax notice with details on how to apply for tax forgiveness once their properties are cleaned up.

Edmonton is the first city in Canada to make a subclass specifically for derelict residential properties, as part of a larger effort to combat problem properties and encourage community vibrancy.

Affected Properties

The City will identify derelict properties through the annual property assessment process.

Assessors will look for buildings that are:

Deserted or abandoned
Partially or fully boarded up or secured
Found to be unfit for habitation
Abandoned partway through construction or demolition

Affected property owners, whose properties have been determined to be in derelict condition, will:

Be contacted by the City via direct mail
See the subclass noted on their 2024 assessment notice in January
Be charged the new higher tax rate when they receive their tax notice in May 2024

Derelict Properties, Problem Properties and Nuisance Conditions

Derelict and problem residential properties are defined differently. For a property to be considered derelict for tax purposes, the City must assess the physical condition of the home on the property.

City property assessors cannot base their assessment on any social or safety issues connected to a property, such as being a fire or public health risk, or being a location of repeated criminal activity. Problem properties are defined by those issues.

This means that not all problem properties will be considered derelict and vice versa.

Derelict and problem properties do not include properties with simple nuisance conditions and occasional bylaw violations like snow on sidewalks, couches on front lawns, long grass or graffiti.

For More Information

News Release

Edmonton Approves New Tax Subclass for Derelict Properties, October 4, 2023

Contact Us

Email	assessment@edmonton.ca