California Energy Loan Disputes Require Property Tax Appeals (1)

Homeowners with claims of unfair business practices by companies that financed home energy improvements secured by their homes must first appeal to their county property tax assessors, a California court of appeal said Tuesday.

The court rejected arguments from the homeowners that their dispute is between them and two companies administering loans under the state’s Property Assessed Clean Energy Program. Because the loan payments are billed and paid as special assessments on their property tax bills, the homeowners are in fact challenging their property tax assessments, the court said.

In affirming the trial court, the appellate panel ...