Hudson Valley Rental Property Seized After Unpaid Water Bill

A Middletown woman's rental property was seized after two years of unpaid water bills. But, does she deserve the right to save her property? CBS 2 reports Clara Leonardo lost the property after she didn't pay her $1,700 bill. Leonardo's attorney claims she never saw the bills because they were sent to the rental property where the tenants ignored them.

Leonardo bought the property more than a decade ago as part of her long term financial plan. She did a lot of the fix up and maintenance work herself and claims the city didn't do enough to notify her of the repossession. Middletown Mayor Joeseph deStephano says the city was well within their rights to take ownership of the home. Ultimately it is up to the homeowner to know what they owe on the property and when to pay it. When Leonardo discovered there was an issue she attempted to pay the bill via check but was denied.