Weigh in on Property Maintenance Issues

Dick Blair May 23, 2012 at 11:51 am

What are the concerns?
Broken sidewalks...houses in need of paint...tall grass...cars up on jacks in the front of the house...stained roof...weeds in the lawn...uncovered garbage cans...bare spots in the lawn...trees that need trimming...what?

Franken Harpo May 23, 2012 at 12:59 pm

If it is forclosed property then the remedy is Section 1307 in the Real Property Actions and Proceedings Law, which was passed in 2009.
This law requires foreclosing lenders, such as banks, to maintain vacant or abandoned properties and grants local municipalities the right to enforce this requirement in court. The intent of the law was to prevent neighborhood blight as vacant or abandoned properties fell into foreclosure status and remain unoccupied for an extended period. http://law.onecle.com/new-york/real-property-actions-proceedings/RPA01307_1307.html

Friend May 23, 2012 at 06:29 pm

Come on now stains on roofs. Bare spots in lawn. I hope everyone looks at themselves before looking for a law to ticket homeowners. Sometimes there can be circumstances look before we leap!

Steve May 23, 2012 at 08:19 pm

I understand wanting your neighborhood to look nice, but I would tread lightly here and not rush to vote to let someone in local government to decide what he thinks may or may not look good. Dangerous territory

patchlessOne May 24, 2012 at 02:44 am

No one wants their neighborhood to look bad. But be careful what you wish for.
The next thing you know the village will be coming around measuring the height of your grass, or fining you if you dont prune that 65' oak tree, or fining you if you didn't power wash your siding to village code. Its bad enough they tell us when we can and can't water our lawns (with water that we pay for), and when we should put out our garbage cans. We pay enough property taxes and village tax that we should be able to do what we want. If someone's property is unkempt, why not go in and find out why? Maybe there are circumstances beyond the homeowners control. Maybe they can use a hand. Not everyone here is a retired FDNY/NYPD/LIRR living off a fat pension or workers comp. Some people work and still can't get ahead. Not everyone can afford a Mexi-scaper. Show a little compassion MPK, instead of finding more ways to fine your residents.

Bob Wahl May 24, 2012 at 10:21 pm

I don't live in the Village but I live in Massapequa and see the same concerns here. Why don't we behave like neighbors instead of like the "people who live next door" and offer help to those who cannot afford or are physically incapable of maintaining their property any longer? Am I being old fashioned or has society become so indifferent that we expect our government officials to "legislate away" all of our problems? What do our Civic Associations have to say about this situation? Why not create a Neighborhood Action bulletin board maintained by the Village where people in need can contact volunteers who are willing to help them maintain their properties? Neighbors who spot an "eyesore" property could post a message on the bulletin board and the Village could send the offender information on how to get help rather than a summons or fine. The neighbors could watch for progress and keep the Village informed if nothing improves and stronger action is warranted. Send me an email if you think my ideas have any merit or if I'm just being "old fashioned".
Sent by: Bob Wahl at mrbobwahl@gmail.com

Pequaman May 25, 2012 at 12:30 pm

PatchlessOne
I take offense to your comment about fdny/nypd living off of fat pensions. No one told you what career path to pursue when you were younger. Just because you choose not to risk your life on a daily basis to protect the citizens of NYC does not mean you should judge the people who did. If you want to point a finger a someone for collecting a fat pension and not doing anything to help the citizens of new York you should look at your elected officials who get pensions after one term in office not 20 to 30 years of risking their lives