     Jennifer Persinger (Velvet) | Saturday, May 06, 2000 - 04:19 am 
This is from a list I'm on. I told her I didn't think she'd have a problem fighting this, since the SOL has long since passed, but just wanted some confirmation.
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[copied & pasted]
Here in Harker Heights, there is something going on that seems blatantly unfair. Back in the 70's and 80's, the city paved several dirt roads and charged the homeowners for the cost of the paving. Some of these people never paid their bills. The city and the county seemed to forget about it. Now suddenly, they have found these old bills and are sending notices of the amount due, plus interest. In many cases, there are different people in these houses. They were told there were no liens on the house when they purchased them. The city is saying, "Sorry. If we forgive this debt, then it's a slap in the face to everybody to paid their bills. Pay
up!"
If the city/county can't even keep up with who owes them money over the past 20+ years, then how can they hold the new homeowner responsible? |
| Christine Baker (Admin) | Saturday, May 06, 2000 - 10:12 am
I agree that it definitely is not fair.
My first recommendation is filing a claim with the title insurance company.
If they decline due to exclusions, you have recourse against the seller. Which of course is a real hassle and maybe the seller can't be found or is broke.
Also, the home owners might want to share the expenses for hiring an attorney.
My *opinion* is that the city has no recourse because they failed to file a lien. The buyers couldn't have possibly known about that outstanding bill. But I'm not a lawyer.
I'd really like to hear the outcome because this happens more often than you'd think. |
| Christine Baker (Admin) | Saturday, May 06, 2000 - 10:20 am
Forgot to mention that the SOL for credit cards etc. does NOT apply to the city (they didn't make a loan.) I really don't know IF there is a SOL for debts for government services. |
| Don Semler (Dsemler) | Saturday, May 06, 2000 - 05:39 pm
This is a great example of why you should ALWAYS buy the owners policy of title insurance when you purchase a home. Most people do not because they don't want to spend the extra couple of hundred dollars. Unfortuately if you don't buy an owners policy and things like this come up, your toast unless you can find the old seller.
I would start buy looking for the old HUD-1 and then call the title co. |
