NCB is not a contractor or repair service. This page is general educational information for Buffalo homeowners. Costs and conditions vary. Not legal or financial advice. (716) 557-7005
Behind on House Bills
What Buffalo Homeowners Can Do
Falling behind on the bills that come with owning a Buffalo home happens fast. A job change, a health event, or simply the cumulative weight of property taxes, utilities, insurance, and maintenance on an aging WNY home. This guide covers your realistic options before the situation escalates.
In Buffalo, the carrying cost of an older home adds up faster than most owners anticipate. Property taxes: $3,000-$6,000/year and rising with assessments. Heating: WNY winters on natural gas average $1,800-$3,000/year in older homes. Insurance: older homes with claims history or aging roofs often face premium increases of 20-40% at renewal. Water and sewer: Buffalo combined water and sewer bills increased significantly in recent years. Add a deferred repair — a furnace replacement, a roof that became a full replacement — and the bills compound quickly.
Missed property taxes: Erie County in rem tax foreclosure process runs on a fixed annual calendar. Missing the window means the county pursues the property. Missed mortgage payments: RPAPL Section 1304 notice triggers within 90 days of first missed payment, starting the foreclosure clock. Unpaid utility bills: City of Buffalo has sewer rent foreclosure authority separate from property tax foreclosure — an often-overlooked pathway to property loss. Acting before the process starts gives you options. Waiting limits them.
Assistance programs: HEAP for heating, Erie County DSS for property tax assistance. Payment plans: utility companies and sometimes the county will negotiate payment arrangements. Refinance or home equity options require creditworthiness. Sell quickly: one cash sale eliminates all carrying costs, pays off liens from proceeds, and ends the spiral. NCB buys Buffalo homes regardless of how behind the bills are. Liens and arrears are paid at closing. Cash offer in 24 hours.
What happens if I cannot pay my house bills in Buffalo?
Unpaid property taxes trigger Erie County in rem foreclosure on a fixed annual calendar. Unpaid mortgage triggers the RPAPL Section 1304 notice process. Unpaid City of Buffalo utility bills can trigger a separate sewer rent foreclosure. Acting before these processes advance gives you more options. NCB can close in 7 days.
Are there assistance programs for Buffalo homeowners behind on bills?
Yes. HEAP assists with heating bills, and Erie County DSS has homeowner assistance programs. The Bar Association of Erie County can refer you to housing attorneys: (716) 852-8687. NCB is an option if programs are not sufficient — we buy the home and pay all liens at closing.
Can I sell my Buffalo house if I am behind on property taxes?
Yes. NCB buys Buffalo homes with delinquent property taxes — all arrears are paid at closing from the purchase price. You do not need to pay them before selling. Call (716) 557-7005.
How far behind on property taxes can you get before losing your home in Buffalo?
Erie County runs an annual in rem tax foreclosure cycle. Properties with taxes unpaid for 2 or more years are typically included in the in rem proceeding. The county files a foreclosure petition, notifies property owners, and sets a redemption deadline — typically in the spring. Missing the redemption deadline means the county takes title. The calendar is fixed and the deadlines are firm. If you are behind on Erie County property taxes, acting before the redemption deadline preserves your options. NCB can close in 7 days — well within any redemption window.
What is a sewer rent foreclosure in Buffalo and how does it affect homeowners?
The City of Buffalo has independent authority to foreclose on properties for unpaid water and sewer charges — separate from the county property tax foreclosure process. Many Buffalo homeowners are unaware this is a separate foreclosure pathway. If your Buffalo Water bill has gone unpaid, the city can file a sewer rent lien and ultimately foreclose. This is one reason why addressing house bill arrears quickly matters in Buffalo. NCB pays all outstanding city water and sewer liens at closing from the purchase price.
Areas We Serve
NCB purchases homes across all of Buffalo and Western New York — any condition, any situation.
Struggling to keep up with house expenses in Buffalo? Property taxes, utilities, mortgage — when bills pile up, here are your options for WNY homeowners. Nickel City Buyers, LLC · 3842 Harlem Rd STE 400-339, Cheektowaga, NY 14215 · (716) 557-7005. A+ BBB · 300+ homes since 2013. Serving 14213,14215,14211 and all of Erie and Niagara County NY.
One Sale Clears
the Slate.
NCB pays all liens and arrears at closing from the purchase price. Cash offer in 24 hours. No repairs, no fees.