Transcript Vacant property registration

City of South Euclid
VACANT PROPERTY REGISTRATION
VACANT PROPERTIES
Hidden Dangers
VACANT STRUCTURES
How do structures become vacant?
Foreclosure
Bank Walk-Away
Owner abandons property
Owner dies; no heirs care for property
VACANT STRUCTURES
Foreclosure Filings by Year 2000-2010
400
368
344
300
276
240
200
100
1
3
2000
2001
12
10
2002
2003
28
33
2004
2005
36
0
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
VACANT STRUCTURES
VACANT STRUCTURES
VACANT STRUCTURES
Unattended properties can lead
to quick and serious decline,
resulting in life, health and safety
issues.
Water damage resulting in mold
and structural damage.
VACANT STRUCTURES
CEILING
Water damage
WALL
VACANT STRUCTURES
Water damage
Water damage/Mold
VACANT STRUCTURES
Water damage/Mold
VACANT PROPERTIES
Why register???
REASONS TO REGISTER
In an effort to identify the status of properties and ensure appropriate property
maintenance, the Department of Building and Housing has decided to initiate a
Vacant Property Registry.
We have always appreciated the time and care that our residents put into their
homes, making our city a beautiful place to live. We want to protect our residents’
investments and require accountability from faceless entities that are purchasing
homes in South Euclid and not maintaining these structures to the standards set
by our code and our residents.
The city of South Euclid has always been a proactive leader in dealing with
foreclosures and vacant structures. We know that this registry will assist us in
tracking our vacant structures and holding the appropriate entity responsible to
ensure proper maintenance.
REASONS TO REGISTER
The most important reasons for registration are:
Confirming the status of a property (vacant/occupied)
Collecting contact information to ensure year round exterior and interior
maintenance
Ensure that all vacant homes are free from life, health and safety hazards
and that they are habitable
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
Why Inspect???
Vacant structures deteriorate at a surprisingly fast pace. What results is a
structure with numerous life, health and safety issues. Frequently, the issues are
not found until well after the purchase of the structure and the rehab has begun.
Many code violations and life, health and safety issues are not realized early on
due to several reasons, such as discontinued utilities, lack of disclosure and
absence of home inspections by a licensed private home inspector.
What results is a structure that is unsafe and requires substantial time and
money to remove all hazards. It is the duty of the Building and Housing
Department to ensure that all structures in the city are safe and habitable.
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
MEDICINE CABINET
SINK AND FIXTURES
What missing???
GAS METER
HOT WATER TANK
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY
The Vacant Property Registration would also require an interior and exterior
inspection to ensure that vacant structures are safe and habitable. The
inspection would outline all areas of work that need to be completed as well as
what items need permits from the Building Department. Much like a fire
inspection, the Building Inspector would assess the structure and guide the new
owner by giving them a list of all code violations. Escrow would be required to
ensure that the buyer has the required funds to complete the work.
We have found that many new homeowners do not have the complete funds to
bring the house up to code but do not realize this until after they have already
purchased the property.
Like our Rental Inspection Program and Exterior Maintenance Program, this
inspection would serve as another opportunity to educate the homeowner about
proper home maintenance.
REASONS TO REGISTER
Abandoned properties are prey
for underfinanced and
inexperienced rehabbers and
homeowners.
VACANT PROPERTIES
Challenges
CHALLENGES
Many challenges face our staff when addressing issues with vacant structures.
IDENTIFICATION: Confirming the status of a property (vacant/occupied);
neighbors care for vacant homes/lots, legal limbo, toxic titles, inability to
identify responsible party
MAINTENANCE: Difficulty in enforcing maintenance (exterior and interior),
absenteeism leads to quick decline to structure
ACCOUNTABILITY: Strict codes require court action for noncompliance,
currently we can only successfully enforce this on occupied homes;
registration would provide contact information for responsible parties
VACANT PROPERTY REGISTRATION
Support
SUPPORT
Other Ohio communities with Vacant Property Registries:
Berea, Ohio
Parma, Ohio
Canton, Ohio
Toledo, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Twinsburg, Ohio
Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Warrensville Heights, Ohio
Euclid, Ohio
Maple Heights, Ohio
Olmstead Falls, Ohio
Questions and Discussion