Title 31, Money and FinanceRelease 119-102
§3715 Buying Real Property of a Debtor
Title 31 › SUBTITLE III — FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT › CHAPTER 37 — CLAIMS › SUBCHAPTER II — CLAIMS OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT › § 3715
Summary
If a federal agency wins a court case to collect a debt, the agency head can buy the debtor’s land or buildings at the court-ordered sale to satisfy that judgment. The agency cannot offer more than the judgment amount plus the sale costs, and the marshal running the sale must transfer the property to the United States.
Full Legal Text
Title 31, §3715
Money and Finance, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The head of an agency for whom a civil action is brought against a debtor of the United States Government may buy real property of the debtor at a sale on execution of the real property of the debtor resulting from the action. The head of the agency may not bid more for the property than the amount of the judgment for which the property is being sold, and costs. The marshal of the district in which the sale is held shall transfer the property to the Government.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 371531:195.R.S. § 3470; June 2, 1965, Pub. L. 89–30, § 5, 79 Stat. 119. The words “by such agent as . . . shall appoint” are omitted as unnecessary. The word “agency” is substituted for “department or independent agency” because of the restatement. The words “for whom a civil action is brought” are substituted for “at whose instance suit was instituted” for consistency. The words “real property” are substituted for “lands or tenements” for clarity and consistency. The words “in behalf of the United States” are omitted as surplus. The words “for the property” are added for clarity. The word “property” is substituted for “such estate” for consistency in the section. The words “Whenever such purchase is made” are omitted as surplus. The words “transfer the property” are substituted for “make all needful conveyances, assignments, or transfers” to eliminate unnecessary words and for clarity.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
31 U.S.C. § 3715
Title 31, Money and Finance
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102