If there is a lien on a property you own or are looking to buy, you can apply for a lien settlement to reduce the fine amount due
You must submit the settlement application through the lien settlement email address before we can review the property record and possibly approve a settlement.
Things to consider
- Any property must be in compliance before lien release or settlement can occur
- When submitting an application complete the entire form to ensure your request is processed quickly
- Providing complete information will greatly assist us in processing your request and providing an accurate response
- Lien payoff inquiries must be submitted in writing to the lien settlement mailbox and do not require a completed application
- All lien settlement requests must be submitted through the lien settlement mailbox; all other forms of contact will delay your request, and response times may exceed 72 hours
- Hardships: If the subject property is listed with the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser as Homesteaded you may qualify for hardship consideration i.e. severe financial hardship; Active Duty/Veteran status; other difficulties [senior citizen, medical issues, etc.]. If this applies, supporting documentation will be required and submitted to management for review and approval
Identifying a lien
These are the steps to take to identify whether your property or a property you wish to purchase has a lien and to pay the fines associated with the lien:
- If not known, verify owner of record by searching the owner name, address, or folio number of the property on the Property Appraiser’s website
- Check the property address for liens
- Search for case numbers starting with BA, CE, C, L, or W
- Click on the link for those cases to check the status and to see if there is a lien noted
- Verify and obtain the lien information in the Clerk of Circuit Court Records
- Once you verify that a lien exists on a property the fines will need to be paid
- Fines can be paid by following the instructions on our payment page
How to request a lien settlement
In order for us to consider a lien settlement application, you must bring any violations on the property into compliance and the property owner or authorized representative must submit a completed and signed application.
- Download the application
- Review and complete the form, including having the signatures notarized
- Submit the completed form and any supporting information to the lien settlement mailbox
- Put the case number and address of the property in the subject line of the email
*Fillable forms may not work with many browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, etc.) - if you have issues with the form, do one of the following:
- Download the form to your computer and open it up with a PDF viewer, such as Adobe Acrobat Reader
- Download the printable version of the form, print it, and fill out by hand
What's next
- The Lien Settlement Team will respond as quickly as possible to your request, after a lien settlement application is submitted you can typically expect to receive a response within 7 to 10 business days
- Once an offer has been made you will have 30 days to pay the fine
- Fines can be paid by following the instructions on our payment page
- Once payment is received and verified the Lien Settlement Team will Release of Lien on the property
Get help
Department/Team: Citizens Board Support / Lien Settlement Team
Email: liensettlements@hcfl.gov
Phone: (813) 635-8316