An Ohio man is in a battle to retain ownership of a street he accidentally acquired for just $5,000, amid claims that the city is attempting to seize it from him.
Jason Fauntleroy, from Trenton, purchased a vacant lot at a Butler County Sheriff’s Office auction four years ago, but the situation took a surprising turn when he found out that, along with the lot, he had also bought an entire street.
Remarkably, the street included five other homes, making the situation even more complicated for Fauntleroy.
What was supposed to be a simple plot purchase turned into a real estate headache when the city of Trenton began to try and reclaim the land through eminent domain.
The Struggle With the City Over Ownership
Fauntleroy described the ongoing situation with the city as a “nightmare.”
He claims that he hasn’t been offered a fair deal for the land, as the city is only offering him compensation for the lot he originally intended to purchase, not the entire street he now owns.
“They shut me out. They blocked my calls.
It’s hard to even get through to anybody,” Fauntleroy said, expressing his frustration with the city’s actions.
His attempts to get answers have been met with silence and delays, adding to his growing sense of being mistreated.
The City’s Confusion Over the Situation
Trenton City Manager Marcos Nichols acknowledged the situation but noted that he was unsure how Fauntleroy ended up owning the entire street.
Nichols explained that the street was a private drive that had been created by a homeowners’ association, which was responsible for maintaining the property.
“The goal is to convert the private drive into a public roadway so the city is then responsible for maintaining it,” Nichols said.
However, when asked why the street was not appraised, Nichols stated that he could not speak to the appraised value of the land.
Fauntleroy’s Plea for Fair Treatment
In response to the situation, Fauntleroy has emphasized the importance of fairness and honesty in dealings.
He believes that the city is taking advantage of his lack of resources, particularly since he doesn’t have the means to hire an attorney to fight back.
“Treat people fair, do honest work.
Don’t just take advantage of someone because they don’t have the means of getting an attorney,” Fauntleroy said.
Under Ohio State law, owners whose properties are taken through eminent domain are entitled to “just compensation,” which is determined by the fair market value of the property.
Fauntleroy is hoping that the law will protect his rights and that he will receive fair compensation for his unexpected purchase.