As a resident of the Great State of Tennessee, I have a little insight into this issue.
First, the fire department will not be held accountable. Part of the deeding process is a clear declaration of the fee and the homeowners responsibilty to pay it for future possible services rendered.
There is another side of this story. One that is conventiently overlooked.
One of the differences:
When I lived in Florida, things like emegency services were INCLUDED in that high property tax bill you got once a year. Yes, there is a lot more than just that, but it was an inclusive tax levyed upon the homeowner if you are in or out of an urban area.
In Tennessee, if you are OUTSIDE of an urban area, they are not required to provide ANY emergency services. It is up to the local goverments to determine the quantity and quality of the emergency services. In my community, the local 'fire service fee' is 250 bucks a year. It is TOTALLY optional to me. I can choose to pay it or not. It is my choice. If my house catches fire, they will NOT resppnd. They send me a letter STATING that I would be on the non-response list when they did not get the payment by a certain date. They take payment at the courthouse OR the firehouse and remove your name immediately. It is an easy fix.
In Florida, my property taxes were about $1300/year for a small house. Here, it is $225/year for a house TWICE the size.
This is one reason why property taxes in Tennessee are so low. They do not levy an all inclusive tax upon a homeowner.
He forgot?? BS. This guy gambled. Pure and simple.
He lost.
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