A HOMEOWNER has racked up a bill of more than $1.1 million after being hit with daily $250 fines over the state of her property.
Evelyn Britton, who is in her 80s, could end up having her home torn down over the issues – even though her son said he had taken action.
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Officials in Seminole County, Florida, have reportedly urged Britton to clear her yard and improve the state of her home, per the Fox affiliate WOFL.
A lien was put on the property in 2011 over alleged code breaches.
Officials said there was trash and debris outside her home.
They also lashed out at the appearance of her garden.
Officials also revealed there were abandoned cars in her yard.
Charges have soared to $1.15 million even though Britton previously said she intended to rectify the issues.
County chiefs say there has been a steady decline in the property’s condition.
They have urged Britton to take action by May 23 otherwise officials could be forced to intervene.
Pictures shared by WOFL show the home in a dilapidated state as there are broken planks of wood and junk in her yard.
Britton’s son Mark has said he’s taken action when required.
“If there was ever a complaint made, I corrected the complaint,” he stressed.
Seminole County chiefs dispute Mark’s claims.
Britton has been urged to take action or rip down the property.
She could be footed with the bill if the county has to deploy officials to do the work.
The U.S. Sun has approached Seminole County’s Building Department for comment.
Mortgage lenders or government agencies are among the bodies that can put liens on properties.
Liens are issued to satisfy any outstanding debts.
Legal experts at Levy, von Beck, and Comstock have warned that it’s rare that homeowners should do nothing if they have a lien against the property.
They warn it’s best to settle any claims to avoid the matter from escalating.
Homeowners who dispute the lien should call an attorney.
“Your home is often your largest and most revered asset,” attorneys warned.
They said speaking with a lawyer is worthwhile to ensure homeowners don’t lose their property.
What it means for a home to be put in foreclosure
Foreclosures can happen when lenders take control of a property after borrowers have failed to make their repayments.
Homeowners or borrowers will receive a Notice of Default by their lender triggering the foreclosure process.
Those in HOA communities can also see their homes foreclosed by their HOA for falling behind on fees, meaning that even if you keep up on mortgage payments, you can still lose your home.
Before foreclosure, a HOA will put a lien on your property which then allows them to auction it to reclaim unpaid funds.
The sale price of the property can often be much less than it’s worth as it only needs to be enough to cover the debts to the HOA or lender and is sold via auction to the highest bidder.
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