BROOKLYN, NY – A Brooklyn man is fighting to reclaim his million-dollar home, which he lost over an unpaid water bill that was less than 1% of the property’s value. The story, which initially gained widespread attention over the summer, has prompted both community support and legislative action.
Fillmore Brown, a long-time resident of East Flatbush, was shocked to learn that his home had been sold after he failed to settle a $5,000 water bill. Brown, who worked tirelessly for decades to pay off his mortgage, discovered the sale when strangers attempted to change the locks on his home.
In 2019, shortly after celebrating the payoff of his mortgage, Brown was unaware that his unpaid water bill had been transferred to a group of investors, known as a trust. When the bill remained unpaid, the investors foreclosed on his $900,000 home, selling it at auction.
Brown’s attorney has since filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing that Brown never received the necessary warning notices. Brown insists he was not informed of any impending actions, despite the city claiming that paperwork was delivered to his residence during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The issue has highlighted a broader problem in East Flatbush, where over a thousand homeowners have faced similar tax lien sales, many due to unpaid water bills. Council Member Chris Banks has introduced legislation aimed at improving notification processes and preventing water bills from being sold to trusts.
Efforts to pass similar state legislation last year were unsuccessful, but Banks remains committed to change, emphasizing that homeowners’ lives should not be jeopardized over minor debts. The city has expressed willingness to review the proposed legislation and collaborate with partners to support homeowners.
In response to Brown’s situation and others like it, the city has implemented reforms to provide property owners with more time and resources to address their debts. Brown, grateful for the support he has received, continues to fight for his home, hopeful that justice will prevail.