{"id":25574,"date":"2026-09-18T01:08:33","date_gmt":"2026-09-18T01:08:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=25574"},"modified":"2026-09-18T01:08:33","modified_gmt":"2026-09-18T01:08:33","slug":"in-2009-a-florida-man-inherited-his-childhood-home-17-years-later-he-says-he-spent-thousands-trying-to-restore-it-as-code-fines-topped-700000-and-the-city-moved-toward-demolition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/?p=25574","title":{"rendered":"In 2009, a Florida man inherited his childhood home; 17 years later, he says he spent thousands trying to restore it as code fines topped $700,000 and the city moved toward demolition"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"e9jwa\">\n<div class=\"vdo_embedd\">\n<div class=\"GfdvZ\">\n<section class=\"_bIDB  clearfix id-r-component leadmedia undefined undefined  E9tg9 \" style=\"top:0px\">\n<div class=\"_bIDB\" data-ua-type=\"1\" onclick=\"stpPgtnAndPrvntDefault(event)\">\n<div class=\"ypVvZ\">\n<div class=\"WGttI\"><img src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-134320160,imgsize-42612,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg\" alt=\"In 2009, a Florida man inherited his childhood home; 17 years later, he says he spent thousands trying to restore it as code fines topped $700,000 and the city moved toward demolition\" title=\"Javis Sims inherited his childhood home in Boynton Beach after his mother died in 2009. (Photo: WPTV)\" decoding=\"async\" fetchpriority=\"high\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"Ta7d_ img_cptn\"><span title=\"Javis Sims inherited his childhood home in Boynton Beach after his mother died in 2009. (Photo: WPTV)\">Javis Sims inherited his childhood home in Boynton Beach after his mother died in 2009. (Photo: WPTV)<\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>A Boynton Beach, Florida, man who inherited his childhood home in 2009 says he is running out of time to save the property after the city moved forward with the demolition process.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"1\"\/>Javis Sims says he was caught off guard when he recently returned to the house and found a new notice posted on the front door indicating that the city of Boynton Beach Building Division had verified that utilities at the property had been disconnected.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"4\"\/>According to Sims, the notice is the first documentation he has seen indicating that demolition could be imminent.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"6\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Javis Sims inherited his childhood home in 2009<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Sims inherited the property after his mother died in 2009. The house has remained vacant since then and has deteriorated over the years.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"9\"\/>Despite its condition, Sims says his intention has always been to restore the home rather than abandon it.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"11\"\/>\u201cI have it all right here in writing, everything that I issued to the city\u2026 everything that they asked me to do,\u201d Sims said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"15\"\/>Sims showed WPTV reporter Vannia Joseph stacks of paperwork that he says document years of communication with city officials. The records include permits, contractor estimates and financial documents.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"17\"\/>He says he has spent thousands of dollars attempting to move the restoration project forward, although the work never reached the construction stage.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"19\"\/>\u201cThey made me produce bank statements and everything,\u201d Sims said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"22\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Sims says <keyword id=\"39390824\" type=\"General\" weightage=\"20\" keywordseo=\"code-fines\" source=\"Orion\">code fines<\/keyword> have topped $700,000<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Sims says he has spent thousands trying to restore the property as code fines topped $700,000.\" msid=\"134320212\" imgsize=\"2146843\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"Sims says he has spent thousands trying to restore the property as code fines topped $700,000. (Photo: WPTV)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-2146843,msid-134320212\/sims-says-he-has-spent-thousands-trying-to-restore-the-property-as-code-fines-topped-700000.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Sims says he has spent thousands trying to restore the property as code fines topped $700,000. (Photo: WPTV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"25\"\/>Sims acknowledges that navigating the city&#8217;s permitting and inspection process has been a learning experience. He said he was not always aware of the inspection requirements at every stage but maintains that he made a good-faith effort to comply with the city&#8217;s demands.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"27\"\/>During WPTV&#8217;s &#8216;Let&#8217;s Hear It&#8217; community event, Sims said he had been unable to live in the property because of code enforcement issues and that fines had accumulated to more than $700,000.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"30\"\/>\u201cYou tell me to put grass in the yard at a house that&#8217;s not livable, no water. I do that. It&#8217;s just an ongoing process. I just need help,\u201d Sims said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"32\"\/>He also described his interactions with the city as frustrating.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"34\"\/>\u201cThe only thing I\u2019ve been getting from the city is the runaround\u2026 this is the only time I hear from the city, when they make their next move,\u201d Sims said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"36\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>City says property has been unsafe and uninhabitable since 2022<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<div data-pos=\"0\" class=\"id-r-component iIpbx undefined  &#10;        \">\n<div><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The city says the unsafe and uninhabitable property must now move toward demolition.\" msid=\"134320220\" imgsize=\"2000131\" resizemode=\"4\" width=\"\" title=\"The city says the unsafe and uninhabitable property must now move toward demolition. (Photo: WPTV)\" placeholdersrc=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/83033472.cms\" offsetvertical=\"0\" placeholdermsid=\"47529300\" type=\"thumb\" class=\"\" src=\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/photo\/imgsize-2000131,msid-134320220\/the-city-says-the-unsafe-and-uninhabitable-property-must-now-move-toward-demolition.jpg\" data-api-prerender=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The city says the unsafe and uninhabitable property must now move toward demolition. (Photo: WPTV)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"39\"\/>In a statement to WPTV, the city of Boynton Beach said the property has been vacant since approximately 2009 and was officially declared unsafe and uninhabitable in November 2022.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"42\"\/>City officials said they had worked with Sims for nearly three years, issuing notices, granting extensions and providing guidance on what was required to bring the property into compliance.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"44\"\/>According to the city, efforts were made to pursue rehabilitation, but required repairs were not completed. Previously issued permits also expired without inspections or construction activity, officials said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"46\"\/>The city further said it requested documentation showing that Sims had a viable and funded plan to complete the rehabilitation but did not receive sufficient information within the deadlines provided.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"49\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>City cites serious safety concerns<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Officials said the property presents several safety concerns, including structural instability, roof failure, compromised walls and exposed electrical wiring. The city also said the conditions could pose risks to neighbors and first responders.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"52\"\/>Because of those conditions, the city said it is required under Florida law to move forward with demolition.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"54\"\/>The city also confirmed that an asbestos inspection required before demolition has been completed after officials obtained a court-authorized inspection warrant.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"57\"\/>According to city officials, multiple alternatives to demolition were explored, but demolition is now the only option remaining to protect public safety.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"59\"\/><\/p>\n<p><h2>Sims still hopes the house can be saved<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n<p>Despite the city&#8217;s position, Sims believes the property can still be rehabilitated if he is given an opportunity to complete the necessary repairs.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"63\"\/>\u201cEvery time I do something, I had to have an inspection&#8230; when I tried to get permits, they wouldn\u2019t be issued,\u201d he said.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"66\"\/>Sims said attorneys contacted him after WPTV first aired his story and offered to help him navigate the situation. He hopes their involvement could lead to a solution before the city demolishes the property.<span class=\"id-r-component br\" data-pos=\"68\"\/>\u201cI\u2019m hoping something comes of this before the house comes down,\u201d Sims said.<\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/timesofindia.indiatimes.com\/world\/us\/in-2009-a-florida-man-inherited-his-childhood-home-17-years-later-he-says-he-spent-thousands-trying-to-restore-it-as-code-fines-topped-700000-and-the-city-moved-toward-demolition\/articleshow\/134320113.cms\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Javis Sims inherited his childhood home in Boynton Beach after his mother died in 2009. (Photo: WPTV) A Boynton Beach, Florida, man who inherited his childhood home in 2009 says he is running out of time to save the property after the city moved forward with the demolition process.Javis Sims says he was caught off [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[31],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-25574","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-31"],"magazineBlocksPostFeaturedMedia":{"thumbnail":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","medium_large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","1536x1536":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","2048x2048":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","blogsy-small":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","blogsy-small-tall":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","blogsy-small-square":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","blogsy-small-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","blogsy-medium":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","blogsy-medium-masonry":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","blogsy-large":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg","blogsy-wide":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg"},"magazineBlocksPostAuthor":{"name":"admin","avatar":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g"},"magazineBlocksPostCommentsNumber":"0","magazineBlocksPostExcerpt":"Javis Sims inherited his childhood home in Boynton Beach after his mother died in 2009. (Photo: WPTV) A Boynton Beach, Florida, man who inherited his childhood home in 2009 says he is running out of time to save the property after the city moved forward with the demolition process.Javis Sims says he was caught off [&hellip;]","magazineBlocksPostCategories":["\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36"],"magazineBlocksPostViewCount":1,"magazineBlocksPostReadTime":4,"magazine_blocks_featured_image_url":{"full":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg",400,225,false],"medium":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg",300,169,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/javis-sims-inherited-his-childhood-home-in-boynton-beach-after-his-mother-died-in-2009.jpg",150,84,false]},"magazine_blocks_author":{"display_name":"admin","author_link":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/author\/admin"},"magazine_blocks_comment":0,"magazine_blocks_author_image":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8709732a479614e7a8aa24d3eb1b239f30dc6d90c61464ed495001e7a469d856?s=96&d=mm&r=g","magazine_blocks_category":"<a href=\"#\" class=\"category-link category-link-31\">\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36 \u0b2c\u0b3f\u0b26\u0b47\u0b36<\/a>","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25574","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=25574"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25574\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/25575"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=25574"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=25574"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/koshalsambada.in\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=25574"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}