A Brooklyn man says he lost ownership of his home after more than 30 years—over a water bill he says he never knew about.

The man is fighting to reclaim his home after it was sold at a foreclosure auction—over an unpaid $5,000 water bill he says he never knew existed.

Filmore Brown, a longtime homeowner in East Flatbush, said he feels blindsided.

According to Brown’s attorney, Alice Nicholson, his property was sold in a foreclosure auction in December 2024.

The lien sale process allows the city to sell delinquent property debts—such as unpaid water bills or property taxes—to private buyers, who can then initiate foreclosure proceedings if the debt remains unpaid.

Brown insists he never received any notice of the debt.

“I didn’t get it. I didn’t get nothing,” Brown told News 12. “I get all my current bills and I pay. Why wouldn’t I pay that? As I get it, I would pay attention to it.”

Sources at the NYC Department of Finance said five notices were sent to Brown before the foreclosure. It provided News 12 records of some of that documentation.

The Department of Environmental Protection also issued two bills - one before and after the lien sale. News 12 was also given that documentation.

Despite that, some elected officials say Brown’s case is part of a larger systemic problem disproportionately affecting communities of color.

“Every single avenue that you can think of seems to be designed to steal the wealth and homes from Black, brown and immigrant New Yorkers,” said New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.

Williams and other city leaders are calling for reforms to the lien sale process and increased resources for at-risk homeowners.

Brown is now hoping to reclaim his property.

The NYC Department of Environmental Protection issued the following statement:

"Last year, in partnership with the Department of Finance, we implemented reforms to specifically prevent unfortunate situations like this from happening by giving property owners more time, information, and resources to pay their debts. DEP is ready and willing to work with customers to resolve their accounts, connect them with available financial resources, and, if a lien was sold, direct them to the appropriate party for assistance.

Water and sewer charges are legal liens against a property, and while they must be resolved, DEP handles these matters with care and a commitment to supporting those in need. The lien sale sustains the financial health of the water and sewer system, ensuring reliable service for all New Yorkers and funding neighborhood infrastructure investments, including flood control measures in East Flatbush and Canarsie. Unpaid bills ultimately force everyone else to pay higher water rates, so it’s essential that all customers pay their fair share. The lien sale has been an effective tool to collect past-due bills, helping DEP limit the FY26 water rate increase to 3.7% instead of the 8.5% originally forecast. The lien sale also has strong hardship protections for vulnerable customers, with new reforms introduced this year to strengthen those safeguards."

A Department of Finance spokesman released the following statement:

"Our goal is to never see a homeowner lose their property. Last year, in partnership with the City Council, we implemented significant reforms to the lien sale process to give property owners more time, information, and resources to resolve their debts and avoid the lien sale. As a result, we strengthened our outreach efforts to make sure we reached as many owners as possible, working with non-profit groups, Council Members, and other City agencies to conduct door-to-door visits, direct phone calls, and other targeted communications.

Homeowners have several options for resolving their debt with the City before a lien is sold, whether it’s related to property taxes, water and sewer charges, or other municipal charges. This includes property tax exemptions for eligible residents, flexible payment plans, and other forms of assistance. Our priority is to connect property owners with these resources early, so they can protect their homes and avoid the lien sale altogether."