In a positive step another local government is utilizing the tax rolls to address blight in their community. After years of hearing the frustration over “clean and lien” programs (both having to “clean” and thenREAD MORE
Changing Landscape in Real Estate
Never slow in the world of real estate and never “same old, same old”. Trying to keep up in anything is often difficult. For municipal officials that wear so many different hats and juggle soREAD MORE
Challenges to Nuisance Property Legislation
Update May 2, 2024 As a direct result of the lawsuit filed in Bedford OH, Mount Vernon OH is discussing repealing its own ordinance. For more information, please click here. Update January 11, 2023 AREAD MORE
Greater Ohio Policy Center “Misconceptions About Vacant Property Registries”
Wonderful report by Greater Ohio Policy Center titled “Misconceptions About Vacant Property Registries”. Specifically, the report discusses; What is a VPRO (Vacant Property Registration Ordinances)? VPRO three main objectives Benefits of a VPRO Self sustaining programREAD MORE
New Hampshire “Zombie Foreclosures” Legislation
New Hampshire Following in the Footsteps of New York State’s “Zombie Foreclosures” Legislation? HB 235 was introduced earlier this year in the New Hampshire Legislature. Interestingly, the bill text mirrors closely the “zombie foreclosure” legislationREAD MORE
Precedent-Setting Court Ruling?
A decision by State Supreme Court Associate Justice Denise Sher strikes down a zoning condition that required a two-family home to be occupied by its owner. The case against the Town of Hempstead originated afterREAD MORE
Short-Term Rentals “To Ban or Not to Ban That is the Question”
In recent developments we see the sharp divide in opinions short-term rentals are creating across the country. New York City In New York City there is full-court pressure on the largest entities involved in short-termREAD MORE
Mount Vernon OH Confusion surrounds vacant property registry
Interesting article that discusses some of the nuances inherent with vacant commercial property registration and the attempt to draft proper language. Article provides comments from the Mayor, various councilmembers and the Law Director on severalREAD MORE
LSU Department of Sociology Study Linking Blight and Homicide
A new study led by LSU Department of Sociology Assistant Professor Matthew Valasik is the first to show a statistical connection between homicide, blighted buildings and convenience stores in Baton Rouge. He is the firstREAD MORE
Federal Appeals Court: Saginaw vacant property registry doesn’t violate U.S. Constitution
A federal appeals court has rejected a challenge (class-action lawsuit brought by residents) to a Saginaw ordinance that requires owners of vacant properties to allow the city to enter if the property becomes dangerous. TheREAD MORE
State Fight The Blight and Vacant Property Registration Legislation
Following are a listing of various state initiatives surrounding Vacant Property Registration or general Fight-the-Blight Initiatives. Alabama Statewide Manufactured Housing Registration Ordinance Maine Statewide Notice to Municipality of Abandoned Property Statewide Notice to Municipality ofREAD MORE
GAO “(Vacant Properties) Growing Number Increases Communities’ Costs and Challenges”
In November 2011 the General Accounting Office issued a report titled “(Vacant Properties) Growing Number Increases Communities’ Costs and Challenges. Following are the highlights, the full report and additional information, is available by clicking here. SeeREAD MORE