Ohio city resolves case of man who accidentally bought entire street for $5,000

A man who mistakenly became the owner of an entire road after bidding on a property has finally seen the issue resolved, with the city of Trenton, Ohio reclaiming the street.

In 2021, Jason Fauntleroy paid $5,000 at a Butler County Sheriff’s Office auction to buy a plot on Bloomfield Court in Trenton, just north of Cincinnati. His plan was simple: build a new home on the site.

But after the sale, Fauntleroy learned that his purchase didn’t just include the plot—it also came with full ownership of the road that served five other houses on the street.

Although he didn’t own his neighbors’ properties, he was legally responsible for maintaining the road they all used.

Trenton City Manager Marcos Nichols explained that Bloomfield Court had originally been created as a private drive under a homeowners’ association (HOA). The HOA was responsible for upkeep, but once the association dissolved, the road went to auction alongside the plot.

“I’m not sure how that occurs other than it was a private drive that was created through a homeowner’s association,” Nichols said in an earlier interview.

City steps in to resolve dispute

Three years later, the city began proceedings to take the road back through eminent domain. Fauntleroy argued the compensation offered wasn’t fair, but officials said they intended to bring the street up to city standards.

This week, Nichols confirmed to UNILAD that the dispute has been settled.

“The case was settled and the private road has been accepted as a City maintained road,” he said.

Nichols added that an inspection revealed the street had never received its final asphalt layer. The city has incorporated Bloomfield Court into its paving schedule, promising improvements that will benefit drainage and driving conditions.

For Fauntleroy, it means relief from an unusual burden: no longer being responsible for a street he never meant to own.