Details about this story

• Source: Baltimore Sun
• Date: March 25, 2007
• URL: Read the story
• Bylines: June Arney , Fred Schulte
• Topics: Local Government , Real Estate
• Data Types: Local Data , Mapping
• Description/Excerpt: 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 up. At least 400 city homes have been lost over debts other than property taxes in the past three years, 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 repaving charges, sidewalk repairs and even fees to register rental property. Roughly half of those foreclosures involved unpaid charges of $500 or less.
• Database or Graphic: Go to site (formprofile?coll=bal-home-utility&?track=sto-relcon)