Town of Miami Lakes now offers a Code Enforcement Lien Amnesty Program as an incentive to property owners with outstanding liens to bring their property into compliance, and become eligible for as much as an 85 percent reduction in the amount owed on their lien. Both residential and commercial property owners are eligible to apply.
“I wanted a way for residents or business owners to find out if they have a lien, before it became an issue for them to refinance or sell their property,” said Councilmember Tim Daubert, who initiated the program. “If they do have a lien, I wanted to find a way to help reduce their costs and streamline the procedure to resolve the issue.”
The application period starts October 1, and runs to 5 p.m. on Friday, March 27, 2015. The deadline will be strictly enforced with no exceptions. Applications can be submitted to the Town of Miami Lakes Neighborhood Services Department. There is a non-refundable $70 application fee.
Approved applicants will have 15 days from the date of the application is approved to pay the reduced lien amount. Once the reduced lien amount and any ineligible liens are paid in full, a satisfaction and discharge of lien will be issued by the Town Manager and/or his designee.
Liens given from fines related to burglar alarms, business tax receipts, and special assessments, are not eligible. Additionally, if the Town has started a civil action to collect on civil penalties or to foreclose a lien, the property owner will be ineligible for participation in the program.
If a property owner is not sure if they have a lien, they can log onto the Town’s website at www.miamilakes-fl.gov and click on “Search for Violations.” The case would be indicated as “LIEN” status in the system.
For more information on the Lien Amnesty Program, contact the Neighborhood Services Department at LienAmnesty@miamilakes-fl.gov, or by calling 305-512-7130.