28 Tampa Properties to Be Sold by Rental Group in Bankruptcy

The owner of residential rental properties in South Tampa plans to sell more than two dozen locations after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy to avoid a fire sale.

Bartley Investments attributed the bankruptcy to a $3.5 million judgment handed down by a jury in Hillsborough County Circuit Court in February to conclude a two-year-long premises liability lawsuit filed against the firm. Bartley appealed the final judgment in April after Judge Paul Huey denied a request for a new trial, and the case is currently pending in Florida’s Second District Court of Appeal, according to court documents.

Buddy Ford, the attorney representing Bartley Investments in the Chapter 11 case, did not immediately return a request for comment.

The 28 properties Bartley Investments plans to sell are valued at approximately $8.7 million, according to the bankruptcy filing. The partnership generated $218,600 and $206,000 in rental income annually in 2022 and 2023. Additionally, the firm is a 52% owner in Palma Ceia Academy, as per the filing.

Bartley Investments’ debts include approximately $95,000 in property taxes on 22 of its properties and around $108,000 in legal fees, the filing shows.

Neil Bartley, the original owner of Bartley Investments, passed ownership of the properties to his five children when he died in early 2020, according to the bankruptcy filing in the Middle District of Florida on May 23. He intended for the portfolio to be removed from the partnership and divided among the siblings, but only seven properties were transferred at the time of the filing.

The properties set for sale include a day care facility and Roosevelt Elementary School in Palma Ceia.

Other properties are:

• Tampa Villa South, 12 units
• 4610 Gray St., Apt. 204, Tampa
• 3010 Mason Street, Unit A, Tampa
• 4107 Lawn Ave., Tampa
• 3317 W. Obispo St., Tampa
• 2936 Rogers Ave., Tampa
• 2815 Leila Ave., Tampa
• 4405 Ballast Point Blvd., Tampa
• 2038 S. Hubert Ave., Tampa
• 3810 Paxton Ave., Tampa
• 3804 San Pedro St., Tampa
• 6824 Wall St., Tampa
• 4509 Coachman Ave., Tampa
• 6705 S. Kissimmee St., Tampa
• 4207 W. Bay Vista Ave., Tampa
• 3111 S. Julia Circle., Tampa
• 4209 San Miguel St., Tampa

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