Why Cuyahoga County, Ohio Required Tax Investors to Be NTLA Members — And Why Other Governments Should Follow

Property tax investing is one of the few remaining financial sectors in the United States that operates largely without formal regulatory oversight. Beyond individual state statutes, this space—critical to the health of local governments and public services—lacks any unified framework for accountability, ethics enforcement, or investor standards.

That’s why what just happened in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, is such a big deal—and a model worth replicating.

For the first time in several years, Cuyahoga County is offering its delinquent property taxes for sale through a negotiated Request for Proposal (RFP). Uniquely, this RFP requires that all bidding entities must be members in good standing of the National Tax Lien Association (NTLA). This forward-thinking move demonstrates a commitment to professional conduct, transparency, and responsible stewardship of the public trust. We commend Cuyahoga County for recognizing the value of an ethical standard in an otherwise unregulated space.

Learn more about joining the NTLA today.

Why does NTLA membership matter?

As the only non-profit trade association in this industry, the NTLA serves as the de facto standard bearer for professionalism and integrity in tax lien and tax deed investing. We are not a lobbying group or a private club. Our mission is rooted in protecting the integrity of tax lien sales while ensuring that local governments are able to collect critical revenue to fund schools, police departments, infrastructure, and other essential services.

NTLA Code of Ethics: Raising the Bar

Every NTLA member is required to sign a Code of Ethics and a Sherman Antitrust Compliance Statement—documents that commit them to lawful, transparent, and ethical business practices. This includes prohibitions against bid rigging, collusion, predatory behavior, and practices that undermine public trust. It also ensures that investors are working toward outcomes that ultimately benefit local communities, not just their own bottom lines.

This matters because when property tax enforcement is handled irresponsibly, the consequences can be devastating—for homeowners, for neighborhoods, and for municipal budgets. When done ethically, however, tax lien investing can help prevent municipal insolvency, return abandoned properties to productive use, and even save homeowners through hardship programs, like those supported by the NTLA Foundation.

An Unregulated Industry Needs Leadership

Because there is no federal or state licensing body overseeing tax lien purchasers, someone has to act like the adult in the room. The NTLA has filled this vacuum for nearly three decades by:

• Educating investors on their legal responsibilities and ethical obligations
• Collaborating with government officials to improve sale procedures and public confidence
• Identifying bad actors and calling out harmful or illegal conduct
• Championing legislation that balances the need for tax collection with homeowner protections
  
  

Cuyahoga County’s decision to require NTLA membership sends a powerful message: Professional standards matter. And in this space, NTLA membership is the most effective proxy for accountability and credibility.

Why Other Counties Should Follow Suit

For any county considering a tax lien sale, the risks of engaging with unethical or inexperienced bidders are real: lawsuits, public backlash, failed collections, and neighborhood blight. Requiring NTLA membership as part of your RFP or bid criteria helps:

• Filter out unscrupulous or unqualified buyers
• Ensure adherence to industry best practices
• Protect vulnerable homeowners from predatory behavior
• Reinforce public trust in the fairness and transparency of the tax sale process

It also signals to your constituents that your office takes its fiduciary responsibility seriously—and is committed to working with partners who share that commitment.

The Path Foward

The National Tax Lien Association applauds Cuyahoga County’s leadership. We encourage other local governments to adopt similar requirements when conducting tax lien sales or negotiated transactions. In a space where there's no referee, NTLA stands ready to be the fair, ethical, and transparent guide local governments and investors can rely on.

When more jurisdictions hold bidders to a higher standard, everyone wins—governments, communities, and ethical investors alike. 

Learn more about joining the NTLA today.