Keeping families in their homes is top priority

Leelanau County Treasurer: Keeping families in their homes is my top priority

As Leelanau County Treasurer, keeping families in their homes is one of my top priorities. Over the past several years, we have worked hard to prevent tax foreclosures with 2017 remarkably having none.

Help is available for Leelanau County homeowners struggling to pay delinquent property taxes. At the Treasurer’s office, we’re here to help the residents of Leelanau County navigate and qualify for different assistance programs.

If you or someone you know has delinquent taxes from 2015 or earlier, I urge you to reach out to us so that we can help you stay in your home and set up a payment plan to get your back taxes paid.

Hardship extension

For qualifying homeowners with two or more years of delinquent property taxes, we offer hardship extensions in order to prevent foreclosure. This gives families the option to work with us to come up with a monthly payment plan to become current and prevent property tax foreclosure.

In addition, we offer multi-year payment plans. These new plans, together with a hardship extension, gives families that are struggling financially an opportunity to escape the cycle of barely avoiding foreclosure year-after-year, and give them peace of mind knowing that their home is safe.

Veterans

For 100 percent disabled veterans, an exemption from property taxes on a primary residence is available and can save disabled veterans thousands of dollars on current and future years property taxes. Please contact the Leelanau County Veteran’s Affairs Office at 231-256-9711 for more information.

Credit card payments

To make it easier and more convenient to pay delinquent property taxes, we offer online and phone payment via credit card. You can also come into the office and pay with your credit card. Go to the Treasurer’s website at www.leelanau.cc/treasurer  and click on “Pay Delinquent Taxes Online.”

If you have delinquent property taxes and fear you may lose your home, please contact my office. Whether it’s applying for assistance, working on hardship extensions to help pay off delinquent property taxes, or navigating available resources, my team is on hand to help homeowners in any way we can.

Our mission is to serve you and we will continue to fight and work hard to help Leelanau County families stay in their homes.

StepForwardMichigan.org

Step Forward Michigan still has millions of dollars for qualified homeowners who are struggling with back taxes and back mortgages.  Please visit:  stepforwardmichigan.org for more information.

Getting help

Residents can call the Treasurer’s office at 231-256-9838, email us at treasurer@co.leelanau.mi.us, or go to our website at www.leelanau.cc/treasurer  to get more information or set up an appointment.