Decatur County conducts tax-lien auction; buyers warned liens are not deeds

SRI Services ran a public tax‑lien auction in Decatur County (date not specified). Auctioneer Chad Malakout opened the sale and walked bidders through rules, warning that buyers at the auction purchase tax liens — not property deeds — and must follow statutory steps to pursue a deed if a parcel is not redeemed.

Malakout told attendees, “You are purchasing a lien on the property. There will be no deed issued to this property today.” He said buyers “cannot go on the property. You cannot evict tenants. You have no rights of ownership today.” He repeated that the county only warrants the parcel number and the amount of taxes due, and urged prospective bidders to do their own research.

Why it matters: A tax‑lien purchaser obtains the county’s lien and limited statutory remedies. If the underlying tax debt is paid (redeemed), the purchaser receives their payment back plus interest; if redeemed is not pursued or succeeds, the purchaser must follow court procedures to seek a deed. The rules for redemption, required notices and timelines are set by state statute and related county procedures referenced during the auction.

Key procedural points explained at the auction

- Interest on redemptio…