Rochester Hills Unclaimed Money
Rochester Hills residents may have unclaimed money held by Michigan Treasury, Oakland County, or the City of Rochester Hills. Sources include forgotten bank accounts, insurance settlements, utility deposits, and uncashed refund checks. This page covers all sources and gives you the steps to search and claim what is yours.
Rochester Hills Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property
The Michigan Department of Treasury collects unclaimed funds from businesses statewide and holds them until owners come forward. There is no deadline. The search is free. You don't need an account or a paid service. Michigan has returned more than $675 million and continues to hold more. Rochester Hills residents sometimes discover old savings accounts, stock dividends, or insurance payouts from prior addresses they had no idea were sitting with the state.
Search the free database at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. Enter your name or a business name to search. Deceased relatives can be searched too. If you find a match, follow the online steps to file a claim. For questions, call (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov.
Try multiple name variations including maiden names and old business names. It only takes a few minutes to check.
The state database is updated regularly as businesses report new unclaimed property across Michigan.
City of Rochester Hills Treasury Department
Rochester Hills has a dedicated Treasury Division that handles property tax billing and collection. The city does not levy a city income tax, so property taxes are the main local obligation. Residents can pay taxes in person, online, or by using the 24-hour payment drop box in the City Hall parking lot. The drop box is available around the clock for payments made outside of regular office hours.
| Department | Rochester Hills Treasury Division |
|---|---|
| Address | 1000 Rochester Hills Dr., Rochester Hills, MI 48309 |
| Phone | 248-841-2581 |
| General City Phone | 248-656-4675 |
| treasury@rochesterhills.org | |
| Hours | Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM |
| Website | rochesterhills.org |
The Rochester Hills Treasury page is at rochesterhills.org/treasury.
The Treasury page above has tax payment options, billing schedules, and contact details for city tax questions.
If you believe the city holds a credit or overpayment on your account, email treasury@rochesterhills.org or call 248-841-2581 during business hours. The drop box in the City Hall parking lot is available 24 hours a day for payments. Online payments are also accepted through the city website.
Oakland County Treasurer
Delinquent property tax accounts from Rochester Hills are forwarded to Oakland County each March 1. Oakland County Treasurer Robert Wittenberg then manages collection and any foreclosure proceedings. The county offers payment plans and can work with property owners who are behind. If you have unpaid taxes on a Rochester Hills property, contact Oakland County early. Waiting only makes the situation harder to resolve.
| Office | Oakland County Treasurer |
|---|---|
| Treasurer | Robert Wittenberg |
| Phone | 248.858.0611 Option 7 |
| Address | 1200 N Telegraph Rd, Dept 479, Pontiac, MI 48341 |
| Website | oakgov.com |
Details on Oakland County's full range of tax and unclaimed money resources are at the Oakland County unclaimed money page.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds
Oakland County was at the center of the 2020 Michigan Supreme Court ruling in Rafaeli v. Oakland County. That decision established that property owners have a right to surplus proceeds when a foreclosed home sells for more than the taxes owed. The ruling now applies across all of Michigan. For Rochester Hills properties, Oakland County must return any surplus to the former owner if one exists after a tax foreclosure sale.
To claim those funds, file Form 5743 (Motion to Claim Remaining Proceeds) with the Oakland County Circuit Court. The deadline to file is July 1 of the year following the foreclosure sale. This is a hard deadline. After July 1, your right to claim the surplus is gone.
Before filing, gather your parcel number, ownership records at the time of foreclosure, and the sale date and amount. You can get sale info by contacting the Oakland County Treasurer's office or reviewing public court records. You don't need an attorney to file Form 5743, but one can help if the surplus is significant or the situation is complex.
This is the standard Oakland County process under MCL 211.78t. It applies to Rochester Hills just as it does to Troy, Farmington Hills, Southfield, and Waterford Township, all of which are also in Oakland County.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Michigan's three-year process applies uniformly across Oakland County, including Rochester Hills.
| Stage | When | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Delinquent | March 1, Year 1 | Unpaid taxes move to county. A 4% penalty plus 1% per month starts. |
| Forfeiture | March 1, Year 2 | Property forfeited to county. More fees apply. Owner can still redeem. |
| Foreclosure | April 1, Year 3 | Title moves to county. Right to redeem ends. Property may go to auction. |
Once a property sells at auction, file Form 5743 before July 1 of that year to claim any surplus. Rochester Hills is an Oakland County city, and Oakland County's post-Rafaeli surplus rights are well-established. Act before the July 1 deadline.
Legal Aid Resources
Rochester Hills residents can get free and low-cost help for unclaimed property and tax foreclosure matters.
Michigan Legal Help at michiganlegalhelp.org has guides for surplus claims, foreclosure defense, and unclaimed property claims. Free and available online.
State Bar Lawyer Referral connects you with a local attorney. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org. First consultations are typically low cost.
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) helps homeowners behind on taxes or at risk of foreclosure. Check eligibility at michigan.gov/mihaf.
If you are not sure how to file, use Michigan Legal Help or call the State Bar referral line before the July 1 deadline passes.