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.
Don’t miss
- 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)
- Gain potential quarterly income through this $1B private real estate fund — even if you’re not a millionaire. Here’s how to get started with as little as $10
- 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 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.
How minor violations turned into major fines
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: 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
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.
How to handle excessive fines on a fixed income
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.
What to read next
- JPMorgan sees gold soaring to $6,000/ounce — use this 1 simple IRA trick to lock in those potential shiny gains (before it’s too late)
- 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?
Like what you read? Join 200,000+ readers and get the best of Moneywise straight to your inbox every week. Subscribe for free.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
