BATON ROUGE - Thousands of properties with unpaid taxes are sitting around in East Baton Rouge waiting to be sold at auction.

When someone does not pay property taxes that property goes up for auction at a sheriff's sale. The properties that are not sold are "adjudicated" to the parish to hold onto until sold. Many of the low-value homes deteriorate over time and become an eyesore for neighborhoods.

"A lot of times these properties just sit and sit in our neighborhoods for years adding to further neighborhood decline," said Metro Councilwoman Tara Wicker. "So having the properties up where people can access them and be able to put them back into commerce is really great."

The parish holds auctions monthly for to get rid of a handful of properties, but there are thousands piling up. So far this year, the parish has 154 properties sold or in the process of being sold.

"At least if we're able to get those properties back into commerce, get them renovated and get a good family in there, you know, allow those individuals in there to be paying taxes and being a part of the local community," said Wicker. "I think that's a win-win for everyone as opposed to them just sitting there."

With a new online system in the future the process will be easier for the public to view properties that are up for auction. People will also be able to place bids online. You can learn more about adjudicated properties in East Baton Rouge Parish here.