Westland Unclaimed Money
Westland residents may have unclaimed money sitting with the State of Michigan, Wayne County, or the city itself. This page covers every source worth checking, from the state unclaimed property database to tax foreclosure surplus funds held by the courts.
Westland Overview
Michigan State Unclaimed Property
The Michigan Department of Treasury holds more than $675 million in unclaimed property for residents across the state. This money comes from dormant bank accounts, uncashed checks, forgotten security deposits, insurance payouts, and old utility refunds. Anyone can search the database for free at any time. There is no deadline to file a claim.
The state search tool is at unclaimedproperty.michigan.gov. Run a search using your full legal name and any prior names you have used. You can also search for deceased relatives or businesses. If you find a match, file a claim online. Most claims resolve within 90 days.
For help with a specific claim, call the Michigan Unclaimed Property Division at (517) 636-5320 or email TreasUPD@michigan.gov. Staff can tell you what documents you need to complete your claim.
The state database is updated regularly as businesses report new property. Checking once a year is a smart habit, especially if you have moved often or changed jobs multiple times.
Westland City Treasurer
The City of Westland handles property taxes, utility billing, and other city financial matters through a combined CFO and Treasurer position held by Steven Smith. If you overpaid a city bill or are owed a utility deposit refund, contact the city directly.
The city's main line is (734) 722-6000. You can also reach city offices through the official site at cityofwestland.com. City Hall is at 36601 Ford Road, Westland, MI 48185. Regular hours run Monday through Friday.
Westland does not levy a local income tax, so there is no city-level income tax refund process. Property tax payments are split between summer and winter cycles. If you think you overpaid property taxes in a prior year, the city treasurer's office can review your account history.
| Treasurer/CFO | Steven Smith |
|---|---|
| Address | 36601 Ford Road, Westland, MI 48185 |
| Phone | (734) 722-6000 |
| Website | cityofwestland.com |
The city website lets you look up your property tax account and pay online. That same portal can show credit balances or unapplied payments you may not be aware of.
The Westland city portal has info on how to request an account review. You can also visit in person and ask staff to pull up your payment records.
The city website above shows where to log in to your utility or tax account and check for outstanding credits or refund balances.
Wayne County Treasurer
When property taxes go unpaid in Westland, the delinquent balance transfers to Wayne County. Wayne County Treasurer Eric R. Sabree then manages collection and, if needed, the foreclosure process. His office covers all 43 cities and townships in the county.
Reach the Wayne County Treasurer at (313) 224-5990. Search delinquent accounts and pay online at pta.waynecounty.com. The office is at 400 Monroe Street, Suite 520, Detroit, MI 48226.
If your property was involved in a Wayne County tax foreclosure and sold for more than what was owed, you may be entitled to surplus funds. See the Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds section below for details on how to claim that money.
For more on Wayne County unclaimed property and tax records, visit the Wayne County unclaimed money page.
Tax Foreclosure Surplus Funds
When a tax-foreclosed property sells at auction for more than the total amount owed in taxes, interest, and fees, the leftover money is surplus. In Michigan, that surplus belongs to the former property owner. This is true in Westland just as it is everywhere else in the state.
Wayne County uses Form 6156 to claim surplus funds. This is different from Form 5743 used in most other Michigan counties. Using the wrong form can delay or void your request. The notarized Form 6156 must be submitted by March 31 of the year following the foreclosure sale.
If the county-level deadline passes or is not enough, former owners can also file a motion with the 3rd Circuit Court in Wayne County. That court deadline is October 1. Legal help is strongly recommended for court filings.
The Urban Community Housing Corporation (UCHC) gives free help to Wayne County residents dealing with tax foreclosure surplus claims. Call (313) 725-4560 or visit uchcdetroit.org. This is a real nonprofit and their help costs nothing.
Do not let anyone charge you a large cut of your surplus to file a claim. The process is designed to be accessible, and free help is available through UCHC.
Michigan Tax Foreclosure Timeline
Knowing the timeline helps you see when you still have time to act. Michigan uses a three-year process before a property is foreclosed.
| Stage | When | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| Delinquent | March 1, Year 1 | Unpaid taxes transfer to county. A 4% penalty plus 1% per month begins. |
| Forfeiture | March 1, Year 2 | Property is forfeited to county. More fees apply. Owner can still pay to get it back. |
| Foreclosure | April 1, Year 3 | Title moves to county. Owner loses the right to redeem. Auction may follow. |
After foreclosure, if the property sells at auction, the surplus funds process above applies. The window to claim those funds is short, so act fast once you know a sale has taken place.
Legal Aid Resources
If you need help with a surplus funds claim or any other unclaimed money issue, several free and low-cost resources serve Westland residents.
Michigan Legal Help has a detailed guide on how to claim money left over after a tax foreclosure. Find it at michiganlegalhelp.org. The site also has self-help tools and forms you can fill out on your own.
State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service can connect you with a local attorney who handles property and foreclosure matters. Call (800) 968-0738 or visit lrs.michbar.org. There is a small fee for the referral, but the first consultation is often low-cost.
Michigan Homeowner Assistance Fund (MIHAF) helps homeowners facing financial hardship. Visit michigan.gov/mihaf to see if you qualify.
UCHC at (313) 725-4560 is the go-to free resource for Wayne County surplus fund claims. They know the Wayne County process well and can walk you through Form 6156 step by step.