Malden Council votes to sell two tax-title properties after Land Court judgments; 30-day hold for owner redemption

The Malden City Council voted on May 20 to sell two properties the Massachusetts Land Court awarded to the city in recent tax-title judgments, authorizing a 30-day delay before listing the houses to give owners an opportunity to redeem the titles.

The action followed a presentation from City Treasurer Dan Grover, who told the council the court judgments started a 14‑day clock under the revised state tax‑title law requiring municipalities to decide whether to retain or sell land‑court‑awarded properties. Grover said the city lacks funds to retain either property and recommended selling both while allowing attorneys to continue negotiations with the owners during a short hold period.

Why it matters: the council’s votes trigger a statutory process with tight deadlines under updated Massachusetts tax‑title law; the council also discussed how proceeds and any excess equity would be handled if owners later claim them.

Grover explained the legal timeline and…