Photo by ep_jhu.

Earlier this year, several Cleveland Park homeowners signed up for a free home energy audit offered by the District’s Department of the Environment. Now they have letters from the contractor that DDOE had perform the audits, claiming that liens had being placed on their homes in order to recoup payment for the service. What a deal!

Here’s what happened: Patuxent Environmental Group (PEG) was one of two contractors who entered into an agreement with DDOE to provide energy audits to D.C. residents who own a 4,000-square-foot or smaller single family house or townhome. All the residents had to do was apply, and auditors would “suggest specific cost-effective, energy efficient improvements.” Not too shabby — but perhaps too good to be true. According to one listserv poster:

Well, I signed up for this, a nice man came to my home, walked around performing various tasks he explained would help ascertain where I needed insulation, caulking, whatever, to make my home more energy efficient. He said he’d write up his report for PEG and that organization would send it to me. Weeks went by, no report, so I called PEG and was told that they weren’t authorized to issue reports to homeowners and I should call the DDOE to inquire. That office said that PEG’s reports initially were too complicated and they were asked to simplify them and then they were too generic and so reports were being redrafted yet again and I’d get mine soon. Weeks later, no report so I called again. Again I was told to call the city government – frankly, I can’t remember the details except that each party was blaming the other for me not getting my report – and frankly I gave up the idea of ever getting one.

So, obviously, PEG didn’t get paid — several other listserv members reported the same experience. But, hey, no harm, no foul: the homeowners didn’t pay for the service, so whatever. Then this letter arrived in their mailboxes.

Dear Homeowner:



This letter is to inform you that we were contracted with [sic] the District Department of the Environment (DDOE) to complete an energy audit for your residence. The audit was performed and the details of the audit were complied into an energy improvement report.


Unfortunately, we are unable to supply you with that report because the DDOE has failed to make payment for the inspection. After repeated efforts, letters, emails and meetings the DDOE has made no effort to resolve the issue.



It is with great regret, that we are informing you that we are placing a lien on your property. As a matter of protocol, a contractor’s last effort to collect payment for service not paid is placing the lien.



You will notice that we have included the DDOE on a copy of this notice and any questions or concerns should be directed to them at (202) 673-6700.



Sincerely,


JoAnn Spence, Vice-President, PEG

See, this is why we can’t have nice things.