Dozens of condo owners at the Seven Lakes Golf and Tennis Community in Fort Myers have been locked out of their homes for more than three years following Hurricane Ian.
Neighbors told WINK News anchor Liz Biro they have kept up with mortgages, HOA fees, and utilities. They also have a certificate of Occupancy from the county, yet some have found themselves homeless, living in their cars or couch-hopping.
Standing between them and their homes, residents said, is a single piece of paper: a legal release form that waives any claims against the condo association.
Ted Stegner, a condo owner, said he has not had a place to call home, not even his own condo.
“I live in my car. I’ve been in my car for a couple of months and waiting to get back into this place,” said Stegner.
Despite owning a condo at Seven Lakes and keeping his accounts current, Stegner said he remains homeless.
“I have an occupancy permit, so I’m allowed in. They put temporary sinks in, they have toilets in, they have a bathtub in,” said Stegner.
When asked why he could not enter his unit, Stegner said the condo association required a signed release form.
“They said that if you don’t sign the form, we cannot give you the keys,” said Stegner.
Biro explained that the unit release form stated the condo association’s contractor had completed the required repairs — electric, plumbing, and mechanical — and that the work had passed the county inspection. But by signing it, owners agreed to release the association, its board, and agents from any current or future claims related to Hurricane Ian repairs.
“That’s a red flag. If everything is fine, why do we have to sign this?” said condo owner Janice Gucwa.
“I’ve had to move four times, and now possibly five, living on people’s couches and at the mercy of my friends,” said Gucwa, “I also had to go back to work after being retired. I’m working two jobs.”
She works as a cashier and caregiver to make ends meet, all while paying her mortgage, HOA fees and utilities, she said.
Dozens of similar stories came from owners in buildings 3 and 25.
“My husband had to go back to another job. Not good,” said Dayna Junkins.
Gucwa said she reached out to a lawyer who told her, “This is wrong. They can’t do this.” The lawyer wrote a letter to the association’s lawyer about two weeks ago, but they have not received a response.
“They just sprung this on us, so they know if we don’t sign it, we can’t get in,” said Gucwa.
WINK News reached out to the condo association, asking why owners remain locked out and why the release form is required, but received no response.
WINK News also spoke with other residents who said they love living at Seven Lakes and told us they believe the ongoing issues involve only a small number of owners.
Many residents said they cannot simply leave. They have money tied up in their units and cannot afford to walk away — yet staying comes at an enormous financial and emotional cost.