Road Improvements / County to File Lien

[sublemon]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Florida

Hello,
My wife and purchased a foreclosed home about 6 months ago. We received a letter from our county asking for about $9000 for road improvement/late fees. The road in question was improved about 2 years ago, long before we bought the house. The letter said we were six months past due and they would file a lien if we didn't make arrangements to pay within 30 days. We have had no other notice either by our real estate agent or the county prior to this letter. When we bought the home our title insurance did not show any liens or debts on the house.

Do we owe this money to the county even though the improvement was done while another owner occupied this home? If we do owe the money can we settle to have the late fees and other possible fees taken off the bill considering the nature of our purchase?

The letter that was sent said they have the right under Florida Statute 170.19 (Title XII, Chapter 170 - "Municipalities"), if anyone would like to translate that blurb.

James

 

[TIMMAAYY]

It won't show up as a "lien" or "debt" on the title search. If anything it will show up as an "assessment". This is not uncommon... sidewalk improvements, street repairs, sewer repairs, etc. They are typically spread out over a period of months or years and you as the owner are responsible for their payment. You will most likely receive a bill or statement from the entity charging you for the assessment ( city, county, etc. ).

If you do NOT pay the bill, they place a lien against your property. There would not be a "lien" show up against your property until one was filed.

 

[sublemon]

Thanks for the quick reply. We assumed as much, but weren't sure since we just walked onto this property six months ago and had no previous notice about the "assessment." Thanks again.

 

[TIMMAAYY]

Call them up and explain your situation... sometimes you can get lucky and at least have the late fees/penalties taken off. You may want to call the agent or their senior broker who sold you the home and explain that you were never told of any assessments attached to the property. I can't imagine that particular piece of information was not included somewhere. Some assessments can be thousands of dollars a year and can make the difference in whether or not you buy a particular home. For example, if they are running new sewer lines up and down your street, or are attaching you to city water and you are the first one in a new addition to get connected to a new water source, you could see quite a bill.

Check the online property records... I know mine here have assessments shown on the property card with the "Tax History" section under the heading of "Special Assessments".

Good luck!