Attorney general takes action after 'home hijacking' I-TEAM probe

Bondi says company deceived, cheated distressed homeowners

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A company at the center of an I-TEAM investigation last year into home hijacking is now the focus of a complaint filed by Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The I-TEAM began looking into HOA Problem Solutions, a Tampa-based company, after a disabled combat veteran in Duval County was served papers saying he, his wife and children were being kicked out of their rental home, which they didn't know was actually in foreclosure.

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After digging into the company, News4Jax contacted Bondi's staff and learned the attorney general was already investigating HOA Problem Solutions in Tampa but didn't know about the issues in Northeast Florida. 

Bondi’s office expanded the investigation into a statewide effort and this week filed a complaint against HOA Problem Solutions, Inc., as well as several related companies, for using deceptive and unfair practices to acquire properties from financially distressed homeowners. 

According to the complaint, HOA Problem Solutions told homeowners that they could walk away free and clear from properties if the homeowners executed a quitclaim deed for a fraction of the value of the home. 

However, the homeowners who executed quitclaims are still being held responsible for prior home loans.

The complaint alleges that once HOA Problem Solutions gained control of the properties, the corporation rented out the homes and collected rent payments for personal profit. 

The corporation then failed to make payments to holders of the mortgages, in violation of Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, the complaint said.

Additionally, HOA Problem Solutions is accused of having failed to adequately disclose to tenants that the properties faced foreclosure and the tenants might not be able to stay throughout the term of the leases.

Bondi is seeking to stop HOA Problem Solutions from buying, selling or renting residential real estate, including participating in future foreclosure auctions. The corporation also faces civil penalties for violations of FDUTPA. 


About the Author:

A Jacksonville native and proud University of North Florida alum, Francine Frazier has been with News4Jax since 2014 after spending nine years at The Florida Times-Union.