Wrongful billing
To the editor:
I invest in rental homes within the city of New Ulm. In the past two years I have purchased two distressed and foreclosed properties and have spent over $35,000 making property improvements inside and out using our local contractors and plumbers.
In March I purchased a foreclosed house that sat empty for over 18 months. Two months ago I received a notice from the City of New Ulm that this property had two outstanding snow removal fees from dates prior to my ownership of the property totaling S155.
When I called the city and explained that I did not own the property at this time, they indicated it needed to go before the New Ulm City Council at the Oct. 20 meeting. I received notice this week that they decided to hold me responsible for these charges, even though I did not own the property at the time the work was done.
I am sorry to say that I will no longer be able to keep Design Home Center, JP Plumbing and Vince Sandhurst employed on any future housing projects because I have purchased my last investment property within the City of New Ulm.
It is my hope that my wonderful contractors listed above send the city a thank you! I hope the city puts my $155 to good use.
Greg Brandt
New Ulm
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NEWULMITE
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10-28-09 6:14 PM
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Why didn't your attorney find this bill, when I bought a house the bank would not loan me the money without a search of outstanding bills
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middleclassworker
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10-28-09 5:39 PM
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The bill went to Mr. Brandt because the city attorney will not send a bill to his buddy-buddy bankers on the street where he works. It is much easier to bully a homeowner.
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HopeMaria
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10-28-09 12:18 PM
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I have to agree with Shadow. Why isn't the bank responsible for taking care of the property - they owned it? Any other owner, whether they lived there or not, would be held accountable...why not the bank??
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shadow
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10-27-09 7:41 PM
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If this was the banks property why were they not charged the fee
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tooold
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10-27-09 12:36 PM
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I have always understood that all outstanding leins or bills have to listed when someone new buys a home. Sometimes there are water bills, garbage bills, snow removal bills etc that are against a home. Did the city of New Ulm have this bill outstanding against this hoime? Check it out.
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nuj1994
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10-27-09 8:20 AM
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Greg, I know it's the principle of the situation, but it's $155. If you really paid $35,000 to update other homes, then what is another $155?
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middleclassworker
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10-27-09 12:36 AM
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right or wrong, Greg, I believe that it is standard practice to assess snow removal fees to the property. That is standard procedure. Yes, it should be the owner who gets fined, but the law would have to be changed, if the state laws allow such a change. Sorry to hear about your situation. I would suggest, if you purchase more property in the future, that you request full disclosure upon sale of the house in the future that would say that any and all assessments not mentioned would be the responsibility of the seller, in your case, then bank. Good luck on your investment. I hope that $155 won't make these properties unprofitable.
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