arts
Miami homeowner says $55,650 code enforcement lien was wrongly placed on her property, threatens foreclosure
By Larry Seward at CBS4 Miami
· July 14, 2026
· 3 min read
A Little Havana homeowner says she is facing the threat of foreclosure after the City of Miami placed a $55,650 code enforcement lien on her property — one that her attorney argues should never have existed in the first place. "The City of Miami is stopping my client from fixing her own home o
Key takeaway CBS News Miami City of Miami code inspectors said they observed contractors replacing roof framing, installing a wood fence and constructing a concrete driveway without permits during a proactive inspection in September 2024.
Why this matters in The Miami
The dispute over the $55,650 code enforcement lien on Angelica Martinez's Little Havana property raises concerns about the City of Miami's handling of code violations and the potential impact on homeowners. As a major hub for Latin American and Caribbean communities, Miami's neighborhoods like Little Havana are often characterized by older homes that may require renovations, making them vulnerable to code enforcement issues. The fact that Martinez's attorney argues the lien was wrongly placed due to work done by the previous owner highlights the need for thorough research and documentation in code enforcement cases. Furthermore, the threat of foreclosure over a disputed lien underscores the high stakes for homeowners in Miami, where the risk of sea-level rise and flooding already poses significant challenges to property ownership. As the city continues to grow and develop, it is crucial for the City of Miami to ensure that its code enforcement practices are fair, transparent, and do not unfairly burden homeowners like Martinez.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS4 Miami . The Miami surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS4 Miami . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: arts ·
Published: July 14, 2026 ·
Source: CBS4 Miami ·
Reading time: 3 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? A Little Havana homeowner says she is facing the threat of foreclosure after the City of Miami placed a $55,650 code enforcement lien on her property — one that her attorney argues should never have existed in the first place. "The City of Miami is stopping my client from fixing her own home o
When was this published? This article was first published on July 14, 2026 by CBS4 Miami and curated for The Miami readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Larry Seward at CBS4 Miami. To learn more about how The Miami selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more arts coverage from The Miami, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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