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Foreclosure and tax sales in Idaho

What our research shows about Idaho's rules. General information with sources — not legal advice, and not a reading of your papers.

BasicThe essentials, each with its source. General deadlines only.Research last reviewed 2026-09-22

Your state

How foreclosure works

Usual process: Nonjudicial (out of court)
From a reputable summary[1][2]
Allowed processes: Judicial (through court) · Nonjudicial (out of court)
From a reputable summary[1]
Main statutes: Idaho Code § 45-1505; Idaho Code § 45-1506; Idaho Code § 45-1506C; Idaho Code § 45-1512
From a reputable summary[1]
Typical length (estimate): Not researched yet for this state.

+At least 120 days
Federal rule: the servicer generally cannot make the first foreclosure notice or filing until you are more than 120 days behind
Applies to most home loans in every state. A complete loss-mitigation application sent more than 37 days before a sale also triggers federal protections.
Checked against the official text12 CFR § 1024.41(f)(1)
Notice of default or breach letter
The trustee records a notice of default and mails a copy. For a primary residence, a loan-modification request form comes with it: you have 30 days to return it and the lender must answer within 45 days before a sale can go ahead.
From a reputable summary
Notice of sale — at least 120 days before the sale
The notice of sale is mailed at least 120 days before the sale (it can go with the notice of default); personal service/posting is attempted at least 30 days before; published once a week for four weeks.
From a reputable summary
+At least 120 days
Foreclosure sale
From a reputable summary
No right to redeem after the sale
No redemption after a nonjudicial sale. The buyer is entitled to possession on the 10th day after the sale.
From a reputable summary

A general sequence built from the rules above. "At least" periods are the shortest we found; your case can take longer.

Notice before foreclosure: The trustee records a notice of default and mails a copy. For a primary residence, a loan-modification request form comes with it: you have 30 days to return it and the lender must answer within 45 days before a sale can go ahead.
Idaho Code §§ 45-1505, 45-1506C
From a reputable summary[1]
Notice of sale: At least 120 daysThe notice of sale is mailed at least 120 days before the sale (it can go with the notice of default); personal service/posting is attempted at least 30 days before; published once a week for four weeks.
Idaho Code § 45-1506
From a reputable summary[1]
Publication: Newspaper once a week for four weeks.
From a reputable summary[1]
When sales happen: Not researched yet for this state.

Catching up (reinstatement): Up to 115 days after the notice of default is recorded (lump sum of missed payments, fees and costs).
Idaho Code § 45-1506
From a reputable summary[1][2]
Buying the home back (redemption): NoNo redemption after a nonjudicial sale. The buyer is entitled to possession on the 10th day after the sale.
From a reputable summary[1][2]
Owing money after the sale (deficiency): LimitedAllowed, limited by fair market value; the lender must sue within three months after the sale.
Idaho Code § 45-1512
From a reputable summary[1]
Mediation: Not researched yet for this state.

Tax sale system: Forfeiture to the government
After three years of delinquency the county takes a tax deed, then auctions the property within 14 months.
From a reputable summary[3]
How it works: Certified notice 2–5 months before the tax deed issues; you have a right to a hearing to dispute the delinquency.
From a reputable summary[3]
Redeeming after a tax sale: Until the county conveys the property to a new owner, and at most 14 months after the tax deed issues.
Idaho Code § 63-1007
From a reputable summary[3]
Relief programs: Not researched yet for this state.
Payment plans: Not researched yet for this state.
Surplus after a tax sale: Not researched yet for this state.

Federal exemption list: State list only (opted out)
This state has opted out: in bankruptcy you use the state exemption list (plus federal non-bankruptcy exemptions), not the federal § 522(d) list.
From a reputable summary[4]
Homestead exemption: $175,000Up to $175,000; automatic on occupancy; no acreage limit.(Idaho Code § 55-1003)
From a reputable summary[5]

Free legal aid (LSC-funded): Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc.
Checked against the official text[7]
Legal help website: Idaho Legal Aid Services
The official site blocked our automated check on 2026-09-22; confirm the page before relying on it.
Not confirmed — check it[8]
State housing agency: Idaho Housing and Finance Association
Checked against the official text[6]
Attorney general / consumer protection: Idaho Attorney General — Consumer Protection
Checked against the official text[9]
Court self-help: Idaho Court Assistance Office
Checked against the official text[10]
HUD-approved housing counselors: HUD-approved housing counseling agencies — Free or low-cost, HUD-approved housing counselors in every state. Call or search by ZIP code.

Retrieved 2026-09-22. Official texts are marked “official”; summaries are marked “summary”.