A recent article highlights an exemption request filed for a vacant property registration (VPR) in Minden, Nebraska. This situation appears to be a case of much ado about nothing. When a VPR program is approachedREAD MORE
Reframing the Discussion: Building Fees and the Bigger Picture
A recent article in the Roswell (NM) Daily Record highlights the city’s initiative to reduce building fees as a way to encourage the rehabilitation of condemned properties. While this approach is commendable, it’s crucial toREAD MORE
Observations on “so-called vacant property registration movement” article
A recent syndicated article being picked up by mainstream media outlets seem to portray the “so-called vacant property registration movement” in a negative light. Couple of key points: “But what goes unsaid is that registrationsREAD MORE
Volunteer Code Enforcement Officer
A recent article details one man’s offer to fill a municipal code enforcement position “free of charge in the absence of a full-time officer”. MuniReg provides free resources and valuable time saving information to localREAD MORE
Movement in Baltimore
With the passing of HB 2, Baltimore officials are hopeful they have another strong tool in their toolbox. As a community that has long struggled with vacancy and blight, I am hopeful too. However, IREAD MORE
Local Pennsylvania Media Op-Eds Focus on Blight
Two recent op-eds in local newspapers address the issue of blight though coming from differing angles. The Times News piece, uses a problem property for the past 30 years as an impetus to call forREAD MORE
Uncooperative Judge – Share This Perspective
In a November 2022 blog post we discussed that though property owners have rights that must be protected, the rights of the neighbors to be protected from the negative consequences of vacant or blighted propertiesREAD MORE
When a $7,000 Registration Fee isn’t Enough
A recent article discusses possible changes in Minneapolis to their VBR program and its fee. One primary change would be moving the annual $7,087 fee to a monthly fee. “…inspection citations would start at $250READ MORE
H.B. 859 Denying Permits to LLCs
A well intentioned bill may have some loopholes. Hopefully they will be addressed properly prior to enactment. Definitely a step in the right direction. In a recent article discussing the subject Bill, there were someREAD MORE
Vacant Property Surveys – Why it’s shouldn’t be the only answer
At the risk of stating the obvious, data is extremely valuable. However as we all know some data is more valuable than others. Many communities that struggle with vacant properties conduct “windshield surveys” or actualREAD MORE
So which one is it?
A recent article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution discusses the intent of the City to broadcast on the city’s public TV channel the board meetings where property demolitions are discussed. Though the article mentions the motivations behindREAD MORE
Avoiding a “Perverse Incentive” – It’s more than just $$$
Recent reporting in Florida discussed “aggressive code enforcement” by a 3rd party. Revenue is always a major need and focus. However, similar to charging excessive fees and aggressive pursuit of penalties for vacant property registriesREAD MORE