Nationwide — Filmore Brown, an African American man from Brooklyn, New York, misplaced his absolutely paid dwelling after it was bought at public sale over a $5,000 unpaid water invoice he says he by no means knew about. The foreclosures has left him combating to reclaim the home he labored many years to safe.
Brown bought his 3-unit dwelling in 1996 and completed paying the mortgage in 2019. He lives on the highest ground and rents the decrease two models to different households.
“It’s my solely dream,” he advised ABC 7 NY.
He thought his dream was safe till strangers tried to enter his dwelling one night time. To his shock, that they had authorized papers claiming possession.
Metropolis data present Brown’s unpaid water invoice was bought to a belief, a bunch of buyers who purchase money owed from town. As soon as transferred, curiosity provides up till the stability is cleared. If not paid, the property could be foreclosed and bought at public sale, which is what occurred to Brown.
Officers stated they mailed a number of notices, however Brown maintains he by no means acquired them. Court docket paperwork reveal foreclosures papers have been served in November 2020, throughout the top of the pandemic. Brown says he by no means noticed them. “I didn’t know, I simply would’ve paid it,” he stated.
His attorneys argue that Brown has constantly paid hundreds in current taxes and water payments. They declare the outdated stability went unnoticed as a result of as soon as the debt was bought to buyers, it not appeared on his present payments. His authorized staff is now contesting the foreclosures.
Dropping the house has taken a toll on Brown. “It was stolen from me,” he stated, describing sleepless nights and fixed stress
New York Metropolis’s Division of Finance stated reforms have been launched final 12 months to stop related circumstances. Officers stated owners now obtain extra time, clearer data, and choices to settle money owed earlier than liens are bought.
Metropolis data present greater than 6,800 owners have properties positioned into the belief for unpaid water payments, with many residing in communities of coloration.
