Tampa, Florida — The family of a 91-year-old Sun City Center man was shocked to discover that two false alarm fees totaling just $150 had eventually resulted in a $23,100 lien against his home.
The unexpected debt surfaced after Terri Bashoor found a buyer for her elderly father’s property. During a title search connected to the sale, Bashoor learned that a lien had been placed on the home because of unpaid false alarm penalties dating back several years.
The original charges were relatively small. The amount that eventually became a major financial obstacle came largely from daily late fees that accumulated after the county’s deadline passed.
Two False Alarms Led to $150 in Original Charges
According to the family, the issue began after the home’s security system mistakenly alerted authorities on two occasions in 2022.
The incidents were recorded on August 20, 2022, and September 1, 2022.
The county’s records listed charges of $50 for the first incident and $100 for the second, bringing the original total to $150.
Bashoor said she was unaware that the charges had remained unpaid and continued accumulating penalties until the family began preparing to sell the property.
When she eventually received a summary invoice from Hillsborough County Government, she learned that the overwhelming majority of the more than $23,000 balance consisted of late fees.
Daily Fines Turned a Small Bill Into a Huge Debt
The county said the property had a history of false alarm incidents going back to 2020.
A county spokesperson explained that the first two false alarm incidents typically result in warnings. In this case, however, the county said a notice of violation was mailed to the property owner.
According to the county, the letter was returned as unclaimed and unable to forward. The case was eventually referred to a special magistrate in May 2023.
The magistrate ruled that the false alarm penalty had to be paid within 30 days. If it was not paid by the deadline, a $20-per-day fine would begin.
That daily penalty started on June 12, 2023. Over time, the accumulated fines transformed what began as a $150 obligation into a lien worth more than $23,000.
Family Questions the Size of the Late Fees
Bashoor said she eventually paid the original $150 after discovering the lien but said she could not afford the accumulated late fees. The size of the daily penalty left her questioning how such a relatively small charge could grow into such a substantial debt.
“It shocks me that anybody can charge $20 day for a late fee,” she said. “That just seems very excessive and abusive.”
The family was particularly concerned because the lien became apparent only when they were attempting to complete the sale of the property.
Without resolving the lien, the issue could have complicated the transaction involving the elderly homeowner’s residence.
Hillsborough County Will Dismiss the Lien
Consumer Investigator Shannon Behnken contacted Hillsborough County about the family’s situation.
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A county spokesperson said officials had not decided to waive all of the fees because of the circumstances, but the county confirmed that the lien would be dismissed. The decision provides a path forward for the family as they work through the sale of the home.
The county’s explanation also highlights the importance of responding to mailed violation notices, even when the original charges appear relatively minor.
In this case, the county said the notice was returned because it was unclaimed and could not be forwarded, while the unpaid penalty ultimately continued generating daily fines.
A Small Fee Became a Major Financial Problem
The situation serves as a warning for homeowners dealing with local false alarm penalties or other municipal fines.
What started with two false alarm incidents and $150 in charges eventually became a $23,100 lien after daily penalties accumulated for years.
For Bashoor and her father, the problem surfaced at one of the worst possible moments—when they were trying to complete the sale of the property.
Have you ever discovered an unexpected lien, fine or government fee tied to a property? Share your experience in the comments below.
