Redemption Period in Georgia
In Georgia, redemption depends on the sale type. After a tax sale, the former owner (or another interested party) generally has 12 months to redeem by paying the purchase price plus a 20% premium (O.C.G.A. §48-4-40 and §48-4-42). After an ordinary mortgage foreclosure — which in Georgia is non-judicial, under the security deed's power of sale (O.C.G.A. §44-14-162) — there is no statutory right of redemption once the sale is complete. Educational only — confirm the current rule with the statute, the county, or a licensed Georgia attorney. (Last reviewed June 2026.)
Tax-sale redemption (O.C.G.A. §48-4-40 to §48-4-42)
When property is sold at a Georgia tax sale, the owner and certain other parties keep a right to redeem for at least 12 months after the sale (O.C.G.A. §48-4-40). To redeem, they pay the amount the purchaser paid plus a premium of 20% for the first year (and an additional 10% for each year thereafter) per O.C.G.A. §48-4-42. After 12 months, the tax-sale purchaser can cut off ("bar") the right of redemption by giving statutory notice. Verify the exact figures and procedure with the statute and county before relying on them.
Mortgage foreclosure: no post-sale redemption
Georgia mortgage foreclosures are non-judicial: the lender sells under the power-of-sale clause in the security deed (O.C.G.A. §44-14-162 et seq.), with the sale typically held on the first Tuesday of the month after statutory notice. Georgia does not provide a statutory right of redemption after a non-judicial mortgage foreclosure sale — once the sale is complete the former owner cannot reclaim the property by paying the debt. (This is distinct from the tax-sale redemption above.)
What it means for investors
Buy at a Georgia tax sale and your interest is subject to the 12-month redemption window — the owner can redeem by paying you the price plus the 20% premium, and you must serve barment notice to take clear title, so budget for that time and process. Buy at a mortgage (power-of-sale) foreclosure and there is no post-sale redemption overhang. Confirm specifics for the exact property and sale type with official Georgia sources or an attorney before bidding.
Georgia redemption at a glance (educational — verify with the statute)
| Property-tax sale | Mortgage foreclosure | |
|---|---|---|
| Governing law | O.C.G.A. §48-4-40 to §48-4-42 | O.C.G.A. §44-14-162 (non-judicial) |
| Redemption period | ≥ 12 months (until barred) | None after the sale |
| Cost to redeem | Price + 20% (yr 1), +10%/yr after | N/A |
| Investor implication | Serve barment notice to clear title | No post-sale redemption overhang |
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the redemption period in Georgia?
- After a Georgia tax sale, the owner generally has at least 12 months to redeem by paying the price plus a 20% premium (O.C.G.A. §48-4-40/§48-4-42), until the purchaser bars the right with statutory notice. After a non-judicial mortgage foreclosure (O.C.G.A. §44-14-162) there is no statutory right of redemption once the sale is complete. Verify with official sources or a Georgia attorney.
- How long is the Georgia tax-sale redemption period?
- At least 12 months from the tax sale (O.C.G.A. §48-4-40). It continues until the tax-sale purchaser forecloses the right of redemption by serving the statutory barment notice, after which it ends. Confirm timing with the county and statute.
- Is there a redemption period after a mortgage foreclosure in Georgia?
- No. Georgia mortgage foreclosures are non-judicial power-of-sale sales (O.C.G.A. §44-14-162), and Georgia provides no statutory right of redemption after the sale. A borrower can cure or reinstate before the sale, but cannot redeem the property afterward.
- How much does it cost to redeem a Georgia tax sale?
- The redeeming party pays the amount the purchaser paid at the tax sale plus a premium of 20% for the first year, and an additional 10% for each year after that (O.C.G.A. §48-4-42), along with certain costs. Verify the exact calculation with the statute.
- How do I confirm the redemption rule for my Georgia property?
- Check the primary law — O.C.G.A. §48-4-40 to §48-4-42 (tax sales) and §44-14-162 (mortgage foreclosure) — and the county tax commissioner, or consult a licensed Georgia attorney. Treat this page as an educational starting point, not legal advice.