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Oakland County treasurer warns Royal Oak residents of March 31 tax‑foreclosure deadline, outlines resources
Summary
Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg told the Royal Oak City Commission the tax‑foreclosure process takes three years, said anyone owing 2022 or earlier taxes faces a March 31 deadline, and urged residents to contact the Treasurer's office or the County Financial Empowerment Center for repayment plans and legal referrals.
Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg told the Royal Oak City Commission on March 10 that the county’s tax‑foreclosure process runs on a three‑year timeline and that residents who owe 2022 or earlier property taxes face a March 31 deadline to pay or enter a repayment agreement.
"Foreclosure process is a 3 year process," Wittenberg said as he walked commissioners through county statistics and outreach efforts. He said delinquent accounts are turned over to the county, which acts as the collection agent for local jurisdictions, and that interest and statutory fees accrue during the process.
Wittenberg presented Royal Oak‑specific figures showing more than 1,100 parcels had been turned over as delinquent in a recent year and that the county’s 2024 foreclosures numbered among the lowest in recent years. "Our goal is to have 0," he said of foreclosures.
Wittenberg described the county’s outreach program — which includes repeated mailings, certified mail and at least two property visits — and emphasized the county’s focus on repayment rather than seizure. He encouraged residents to contact the Treasurer’s office or the county’s Financial Empowerment Center for budgeting help and to discuss repayment plans. He provided the county Treasurer’s office phone number, (248) 858‑0672, and the office website oakgov.com/treasurer.
He also noted local referral options for low‑income residents, including Lakeshore Legal Aid, which offers free legal clinics. Wittenberg said some foreclosures that proceed are vacant lots or abandoned structures rather than occupied homes, and that his staff conducts title searches which sometimes prevent foreclosure when other owners are found.
Commissioners praised the treasurer’s outreach. Commissioner Tiesel and Commissioner Kollhoff both said the county’s work has helped reduce foreclosures in Royal Oak. The mayor echoed that the county office has been proactive in visiting properties and arranging repayment agreements.
Next steps: residents who believe they may be delinquent for 2022 taxes or earlier were urged to contact Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg’s office to explore repayment agreements and available supports before the March 31 deadline.
