The Broome County Legislature signed-off on selling back 4 foreclosed-on properties to their previous owners Thursday night.
One of those is 9 Arthur Street. The Kurylo's will have to pay about $16,500 in order to buy back their home. That includes several years of back taxes, interest and fees. The issue of 9 Arthur came to the forefront after one of its owners, Volodymyr Kurylo, stepped forward and tried to pay the back taxes so his sister and brother could continue to live there. Kurylo lives out of state and says he only found out about the foreclosure late last year. However, the deadline to pay had already passed so the process has been dragged out. Kurylo told us last night that he is happy that his family will be able to keep the house. But, he's still fighting for the return of the $1,450 paid to the county in rent over the past two months.
Kurylo says, "It really is unfair and illogical, but we will continue to fight this. So, the chapter on reclaiming the house, redeeming the property is closed. But, the part about the rent, I'm not going to drop it."
Rent was not collected on the 3 other properties that are being sold back. Although 2 of those are vacant houses.
Broome County Real Property's Director says rent and administrative fees are collected on foreclosed properties to help offset the cost of snow removal and repairs that need to be made to them.
