Active code enforcement is the key to economic development and affordable housing and Bradenton code enforcement officers aim to use this tool to clean up the neighborhood.
Active Code Enforcement: The Key to Economic Development
“The bottom line is this: throughout the community, you’ve got vacant areas. Well, code enforcement slaps a lien against it, and until you do something about it, the property is going to sit and you have to look at it forever…There is a tool you can use.” – Attorney Matthew Weidner
According to officials, there are approximately one dozen properties in Bradenton that have had liens placed on them but that the property owners have failed to bring into compliance. These properties act as a blemish to the community and code enforcement officials are ready to take action through foreclosure.
Property Liens
When properties are hit with liens it’s the responsibility of the property owner to bring the property into compliance. When property owners don’t bring these properties into compliance, the property sits and ruins the aesthetic of the neighborhood and deters further development of these communities.
Sick of the stagnancy of these properties, in August city officials of Bradenton discussed a plan to remedy the situation by using a lien to foreclosure program. The program would allow for the city to foreclose on these liened properties, to take possession of them and auction them off to someone who is willing to upkeep the property. Recently the use of lien foreclosure has become a focal point for the city council once again.
Active Code Enforcement Fills in the Gaps
The use of active enforcement serves to fill in gaps that exist in the system when property liens are issued but property owners fail to comply. The liens placed on the property prevent the property owner from selling or transferring the property until it has been brought into compliance. Unfortunately, when homeowners fail to bring the home into compliance, the property falls into a financially draining limbo for the city. The city is then forced to pay workers to maintain the property as best they can which creates a drain on limited financial resources. This type of intervention also draws manpower from other projects and creates delays and inconveniences for others.
Active Code Enforcement may be the answer to this problem, however, because it allows the city to take control of the liened property through foreclosure. The property is then auctioned off and (hopefully) maintained by the new property owner.
The Cost of Foreclosure on Liened Property
The process of foreclosure on a liened property by the city comes at a cost of $2,000 but would not cost a thing for existing residents of Bradenton. This fee, however, is paid by the buyer of the property when it goes to auction. The property buyer also covers the cost of legal fees associated with the property foreclosure.
There have been concerns over the city foreclosure process resulting in homelessness, but the city has assured that they would only utilize the foreclosure on liened property option for vacant lots and empty buildings.
Weidner Law Representation
Here at Weidner Law, we intend to represent the city in these foreclosure cases for various reasons.
Firstly, we have the foreclosure experience and understanding of local laws and regulations as they apply to the foreclosure process in Bradenton.
Secondly, we too want to see our local neighborhoods cleaned up! When homes are left vacant, the grass overgrows, property falls into disarray, squatters may move in, and sometimes these properties become a hotspot for criminal/illegal activity.
By helping the city to take control of these properties and auction them off, we can ensure that these foreclosed properties (in various states of disarray) are well maintained in the future and that taxes due on the properties are paid right away!
Benefits of Active Code Enforcement For Liened Properties
With fewer abandoned liened properties left to crumble in neighborhoods, communities will once again begin to flourish and grow economically. Additionally, newcomers to the town and those already living there who are in a difficult spot will have access to more affordable housing opportunities.
Support For the Foreclosure Program
Councilman Patrick Roff supports the proposed plan of action and cites two particular draws to supporting it. Currently, the city is hurting economically, but Roff suspects that the new plan would give that economy a boost. In addition, the city would benefit from being able to turn communities around and this would result in increased satisfaction among residents as well.
[Source]St. Pete Foreclosure Attorney
If you live in the St. Pete area and are looking for a reputable foreclosure attorney or for advice on active code enforcement, Weidner Law is here to help. Give our office a call today at 727-954-8752 to set up a consultation to see how we can help you.
