Maryland Lawmakers Consider Slamming Brakes On Baltimore's "Water Bill" Foreclosures

In Maryland, The Baltimore Sun reports:

• State lawmakers are considering a moratorium on foreclosures stemming from unpaid water bills, a move that faces stiff opposition from Baltimore City officials who say that many property owners would not pay without the threat of losing their homes. Sen. James Brochin called Baltimore's tax-sale system under which homeowners face foreclosure over unpaid water and sewer bills "absolutely obscene." He said the city should rely on other means of leaning on residents who don't pay their bills, such as shutting off service or assessing late charges and liens that must be paid when a property is sold or refinanced.

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• Increased scrutiny of tax-sale cases began after an investigation by The Sun last year showed that homeowners who owe just a few hundred dollars in municipal debts - including Baltimore City water bills - often are hit with thousands of dollars in fees from private debt collectors and can lose their homes if they don't pay. At least 400 city homes were lost over debts other than property taxes over a recent three-year period, an analysis of city tax records and court filings by The Sun found. Most stemmed from unpaid water and sewer bills, though some also included alley re-paving charges, sidewalk repairs and even fees to register rental property.

For more, see Lawmakers ponder halting foreclosures over water bills (Senator Brochin says Baltimore's system is 'absolutely obscene'). bidding