Homeowners, Property Tax & Repairs · Surprise rank #51
NYC Tax Lien Sale Threat? Pull Your Home Out Through the “Easy Exit”!
NYC's Lien Sale Easy Exit Program can remove an eligible owner-occupied home or condo from the lien sale for one year while the owner addresses overdue property-related charges or enters a payment agreement.
Who
NYC owners of a one-, two- or three-family home or condominium unit who use it as their primary residence and need more time to resolve qualifying delinquent property charges.
Where: New York City
What to do
Start here: Use the NYC Department of Finance Easy Exit application, call 311 or visit a Department of Finance business center.
Eligibility: Current NYC rules require the property to have been the owner's primary residence for the past 12 months, no ownership of another NYC property and combined annual income of owners plus resident spouses no greater than $107,300.
What you get
A one-year removal from the NYC lien sale for qualifying owner-occupied properties.
Benefit: One year out of the lien sale, giving the owner time to resolve the debt or arrange payment.
Possible value: The value is avoiding the immediate lien sale; it does not erase the underlying debt.
Good to know
Important: Easy Exit delays the lien sale; it does not forgive the debt and other collection actions may still apply. NYC says the one-year removal can be used up to three times if eligibility continues.
Availability: Active
Why people miss it: Owners often focus on payment plans and exemptions and do not realize there is a separate temporary removal route specifically for the lien sale.
Sources reviewed: Aug 10, 2026