Story Archive

Keep Trimming That Word

Associa, a property-management company, knows Joe DeVirde has a mailbox in front of his Wesley Chapel, Fla., home. In fact, the company is so well aware of his mailbox that it sent out a notice that the thing needed to be painted. But instead of putting the notice in the mailbox, or mailing it there, Associa sent it to DiVerde’s ex-girlfriend, whose name was taken off the property several years ago. Last year, she moved, and Associa decided her new address was now the right place to send DeVirde’s homeowners’ association notices — an address where DiVerde has never lived. By the time DiVerde actually got a notice, it was telling him about a $1,000 fine. But he even got that one too late: he has not only racked up $800 in interest and fees, “Now they intend to foreclose on my house,” DiVerde says. “I shouldn’t have to pay for this. I want the lien taken off my house.” (AC/WTSP St. Petersburg) ...Don’t worry: they’re going to send the foreclosure papers to the judge’s ex-boyfriend’s new office.