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Commission releases code‑enforcement lien on West Madison home after owners say they bought in good faith
Summary
Owners who bought 4510 West Madison Street in 2015 urged the commission to release a roughly $26,000 lien they said was not disclosed at closing; the commission voted to release the lien after hearing staff context and public comment, with one commissioner recorded as voting against.
The Palaca City Commission voted May 28 to release a longstanding code‑enforcement lien on a single‑family home at 4510 West Madison Street after staff reported the current owners purchased the property in 2015, brought it into compliance, and spent substantial funds improving the home.
Staff said the property had code violations dating to 2012 that generated fines and a lien. The current owners purchased the house in 2015 and — according to staff and the homeowner’s testimony — were unaware of the prior lien. Staff reported the owners had since abated the violations and recommended the commission revisit lien‑reduction guidelines because the case did not fit typical circumstances.
"We purchased the property in 2015. We were never notified that the property itself had a code lien," said the homeowner, who identified herself as Leanor and said she is the mother of five and the family's only current wage earner. The homeowner told the commission the family spent tens of thousands of dollars improving and bringing the property into compliance and needs to sell the house to purchase a larger home.
A local realtor who testified said she has seen similar title issues when some buyers receive deeds prepared by sellers rather than a title company and urged the commission to be flexible in individual cases. Public commenter Miss Kitchens also urged relief, noting the property has homestead protection and the chances of foreclosure on homestead property are limited under Florida law.
After deliberation, Commissioner Davis moved to release the lien on the property, noting the house is now in compliance and the owners had made significant improvements. The motion was seconded and passed; the clerk recorded a majority vote with one recorded nay.
What the vote does and doesn’t do
The commission’s action released the city's lien for this property and does not set a blanket policy for future lien requests. Staff and legal counsel recommended a workshop to review the city’s guidelines for lien reductions so the commission can adopt clearer, durable rules going forward.
