No. 037 · · Courts
The sheriff tells Council that deed delays are resolved and sales are going “full blast”
At a City Council budget hearing on April 28, 2026, presenting a $19.3 million budget request, Sheriff Bilal testified that the deed-processing problems that began in 2023 had been fixed, and that sheriff sales were going “full blast.” Reporting by The Inquirer’s William Bender and Ryan W. Briggs documented buyers who said the problems persisted, including waits of a year or more for deeds to properties they had paid for.
Of buyers who said otherwise, she told Councilmember Cindy Bass: “If you believe them that run to the newspaper — ‘Oh I ain’t got my deed’ — well they never tell them they didn’t pay the invoice.”
Fifteen days later, a Common Pleas Court judge ordered her to account for every sheriff sale of her tenure.
April 28 — testimony to City Council
Sheriff Bilal told Council at a budget hearing that deed delays after property auctions had been resolved and that sheriff sales were going “full blast.”
The Philadelphia InquirerMay 13 — Court of Common Pleas
Fifteen days later, Judge Paula Patrick ordered Bilal to account for every sheriff sale since January 2020 and to show why a special master should not be brought in.
The Philadelphia InquirerSources
- William Bender and Ryan W. Briggs. “Sheriff Rochelle Bilal told City Council that deed-processing problems have been resolved. Buyers across Philly say that's not true.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, .
- Ryan W. Briggs and William Bender. “Philadelphia judges order Sheriff Rochelle Bilal to fix deed problem — or they'll appoint someone who will.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, .
- “Deed Processing Is Working Again, Sheriff Tells Philly Council. No It's Not, Buyers Say.” Deeds.com, .