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Geraldine Tyler lived alone for years in her Minneapolis condo. Over time, her neighborhood grew less safe, so she moved to an apartment in a senior community.
The rent on the new place strained Geraldine’s budget, however, and she fell behind on her condo’s property taxes, and her total tax debt, along with interest and fees, grew to $15,000.
Hennepin County seized her condo and sold it for $40,000—far more than she owed. But instead of returning the $25,000 surplus to Geraldine, the county kept every last dime.
A home’s equity is private property and therefore just as protected by the Constitution as a home or land. Keeping more than the taxes owed is home equity theft. Minnesota is one of 12 states, along with DC, that legalize home equity theft; local governments stole nearly 9,000 homes and more than $860 million in life savings between 2014 and 2021.
Pacific Legal Foundation’s quest to end this injustice began a decade ago. Buoyed by the courage and determination of a 94-year-old grandmother, our crusade will culminate at the nation’s highest court April 26.
Please join us for a sneak preview of PLF’s 19th Supreme Court case. Our expert litigators will break down Tyler v. Hennepin County and its role in the future of property rights in America.
