World · India Bureau
Miami homeowner battles foreclosure threat over pre-purchase property lien
A Miami resident faces potential foreclosure after city authorities placed a $55,650 lien on her home over unpermitted construction work completed before she purchased the property. The homeowner is contesting the lien and awaits a mitigation hearing to resolve the dispute.
LSN India ·
Angelica Martinez purchased her Miami home in 2019 following what she describes as a thorough title search. The property dispute emerged during a 2024 city inspection, when municipal officials identified unpermitted structural work on the residence, including fence and driveway construction.
Martinez disputes responsibility for the undocumented work, which was performed before she acquired the property. Despite her objections, Miami city authorities imposed a $55,650 lien against the home after determining alleged non-compliance with municipal building codes and city orders related to the unpermitted improvements.
The financial burden of the lien threatens Martinez's property ownership, with foreclosure looming if the dispute remains unresolved. She is scheduled to appear at a mitigation hearing, where she will present her case challenging the city's assessment and her liability for construction work conducted by the previous owner.
The case highlights the risks homebuyers face when inheriting property with undisclosed code violations. Martinez's situation underscores the importance of comprehensive pre-purchase inspections and the potential complications that can arise from prior owners' failure to obtain proper building permits.