Latest news with #AriPregen
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida homeowners in their 80s fight city over 'mind-blowing' $366K in fines for code violations they fixed
What would you do if your city placed $366,000 in liens on your home after inspectors observed minor violations like broken window frames, cracked outlet covers and peeling paint? If you were Lauderdale Lakes residents Kenneth and Mildred Bordeaux, a Florida couple in their 80s, you'd hire a lawyer and fight back. "I feel like I'm just being beat on with a sledgehammer, and I don't understand it," Kenneth told CBS News. Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast) Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10) Their lawyer Ari Pregen says the city's actions are completely unfair. 'It's absolutely mindblowing to say 'We're going to hold your property hostage and we're not going to allow you to do what you want with your property, to pass it on to your next of kin and your loved ones, because of window cranks and plastic covers,'' he said. It all started last year when the Bordeauxs — who rent out part of their duplex to cover bills — evicted a tenant. When inspectors visited the property following the eviction, they fined the Bordeauxs for six violations, including broken window frames and handles; cracked outlet covers; peeling paint; minor interior door and wall damage; and smoke detectors needing replacement. The Bordeauxs say they promptly addressed all the issues and made the required repairs. The problem? City inspectors took 222 days to verify that the repairs had been made. Meanwhile, for every one of those 222 days, the city levied additional daily fines of $1,500 per violation — resulting in the $366,142.70 total. Read more: This is how American car dealers use the '4-square method' to make big profits off you — and how you can ensure you pay a fair price for all your vehicle costs Their attorney, Ari Pregen, said the situation is unreasonable. "You can't charge someone $65,000 for a broken window crank, $55,000 for a broken [cover] plate,' he said. The couple applied for a lien reduction, a process allowing property owners to request a lower payment on fines or fees owed to the city. Inspectors only offered a 10% reduction, meaning the Bordeauxs would have to pay more than $300,000 to remove the liens on the property, one the couple want to leave to family members. "It's just been absolutely terrible,' Kenneth Bordeaux said. CBS Miami has since discovered that other Lauderdale Lakes property owners have been hit with excessive fines and liens due to code inspection delays. The news outlet revealed that in its 2025 budget, the City of Lauderdale Lakes is counting on a 161.4% increase in revenue from fines and forfeitures compared to 2024. The Bordeauxs' lawyer notes that levying excessive fines is illegal. 'We have the excessive fines clause for a reason,' Pregen says. 'It prohibits excessive fines.' He continues to negotiate with the city — not only to lower the Bordeauxs' fines and remove the liens on their duplex, but to urge the city to change its policy to protect other homeowners in similar situations. For retired homeowners like the Bordeauxs living on fixed incomes — primarily Social Security and modest pensions — unexpected fines, fees or repair costs can be ruinous. Without sufficient savings, seniors in such situations may accumulate debt and could lose their homes. The added stress can take a toll on physical and mental health, particularly for seniors who don't have the resources to navigate complex legal and financial systems. Legal advocacy and community support can be lifelines. Homeowners facing large municipal fines should first seek legal counsel, especially pro bono services or nonprofit legal clinics that specialize in housing or elder law. Organizations such as Legal Aid or the AARP Legal Advocacy Group may offer assistance or connect individuals to local resources. Homeowners on fixed incomes who find themselves in the same predicament as the Bordeauxs should consider doing as they have done and bring media attention to the case to increase public pressure and push local governments to revise their enforcement practices or settlement offers. Homeowners can also work with housing counselors certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to explore options like financial hardship programs, home equity solutions or income-based repayment plans for liens, where available. Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead Robert Kiyosaki warns of a 'Greater Depression' coming to the US — with millions of Americans going poor. But he says these 2 'easy-money' assets will bring in 'great wealth'. How to get in now Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you? This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
CBS News
18-05-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Lauderdale Lakes adopted budget shows increased revenue through code enforcement
Code inspections, months-long delays and fines are causing frustrations for some residents of Lauderdale Lakes. CBS News Miami investigated the matter and uncovered budgeted plans to raise revenue through code enforcement as taxpayers fight six-figure liens caused by code compliance delays. "It's shocking," attorney Ari Pregen, who represents three taxpayers facing liens, said. Fines to generate revenue In the city's adopted budget for fiscal year 2025, the Lauderdale Lakes city manager said "revenues that support specific activities remained flat," the document said. The city manager added that "future years may not be able to absorb increases in expense with no adjustments to fees." "During the upcoming fiscal year, staff has been challenged to seek strategies to reduce expenses and/or create new revenue opportunities," the document said. Under General Fund revenues, staff projected $300,000 from code enforcement liens and another $4,000 from code compliance citations, according to the budget. That is a 161.6% increase, the document said. "Obviously, times are tough," Pregen said. "But what they're trying to do is illegal. We have the excessive fines clause for a reason. It prohibits excessive fines." City leaders fail to address questions CBS News Miami called Mayor Veronica Edwards Phillips for an explanation and left a voicemail. She did not return the message. This came after she and Commissioner Easton Harrison declined comment ata Chamber of Commerce event Thursday. CBS News Miami also emailed every member of the city commission for comment. None replied. A city spokesperson told CBS News Miami to present questions during public comment of Wednesday's commission meeting. No one on the commission answered those questions, either. "It's egregious," Alan Levy, broker and president of Levy Realty Advisors. said. "There's no excuse." Fines mount after days of waiting for inspections Three years ago, one of Levy's tenants remodeled an office and made a bathroom accessible without proper permits, Levy said. His company spent thousands to satisfy code compliance officers. However, it took more than 1,000 days to verify full compliance. During that time, fines accumulated and the company's lien is $740,000. Kenneth Bordeaux, 82, and his wife Mildred, 80, face $366,000 worth of liens on their duplex. The couple waited more than 220 days for inspectors to verify repairs to violations including a broken window handle and cracked electrical outlet cover. "I don't have much longer," Kenneth Bordeaux said Wednesday. "I bet my life on it." Now, their main source of income and the asset the couple hopes to pass on to their family is in limbo. "I feel like I'm just being beaten with a sledgehammer," Bordeaux said. "I don't understand it." A city spokesperson told CBS News Miami Thursday that "because the matters are pending litigation before a magistrate it would be inappropriate to comment." Pregen and his clients hope staff is willing to change soon.
CBS News
14-05-2025
- CBS News
Elderly couple faces $366,000 in fines over duplex code violations in Lauderdale Lakes
An elderly couple in their 80s is fighting the City of Lauderdale Lakes over more than $366,000 in code enforcement fines on their duplex, a property they said they depend on for income and hope to pass down to family. Fines pile up despite quick repairs, couple said Kenneth Bordeaux, 82, and his wife, Mildred, 80, said they repaired six code violations on the property shortly after inspectors began showing up in March of last year. The violations included issues like broken window handles, cracked electrical outlet covers, peeling paint and minor interior damage. Despite making the fixes, the Bordeauxs said inspectors did not verify compliance for more than 220 days. As a result, $1,500-per-day fines on each violation mounted, according to the couple's attorney, Ari Pregen. "You can't charge someone $65,000 for a broken window crank (or) $55,000 for a broken plate," Pregen told CBS News Miami. "It is absolutely mind-blowing to say we're going to hold your property hostage and we're not going to allow you to do what you want with your property: to pass it on to your next of kin and your loved ones because of window cranks and plastic covers." City offers 10% reduction, but couple says it's not enough The couple applied for a lien reduction, but inspectors offered only a 10% decrease, according to Pregen. Even with the reduction, the Bordeauxs say the remaining amount is unaffordable. "Everything is closed," Kenneth Bordeaux said. "I just want to get this lien over and done with." "I feel like I'm just being beat on with a sledgehammer and I don't understand it," he added. CBS News Miami contacted the city for comment. A spokesperson said the station needed to sign up to speak during public comment at a commission meeting. While commissioners listened to questions during Tuesday's meeting, they did not offer immediate responses. It remains unclear what action, if any, the city will take.
