Rundown house in the neighborhood
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Anonymous
| I live on a street in Montgomery County where there is a house that has never been lived in (or fully finished on the inside) and is used basically as a massive storage shed by the off-site owner. There is never any junk in the yard but it is not landscaped and mostly overgrown. The lawn is cut regularly so that's a plus but that about it. I'm wondering if neighbors have any recourse. It's a massive eyesore. Does anyone have any experience with a similar situation? |
Anonymous
| If you don't have a HOA, then counting zoning laws are the only thing you can fall back on. Contact them, they'll send someone out to see if there are any violations. |
Anonymous
| no recourse. Welcome to non HOA living. |
Anonymous
| counting -> county |
Anonymous
|
Well, in MoCo if it wasn't fully finished on the inside then it never achieved its final inspection and thus can be condemned pretty easily. If it passed final, then it is finished enough to be habitable.
Otherwise, it's just not a pretty house and your feelings are hurt? MYOB. |
Anonymous
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People like you should mind their own business, or you may stumble on a wrong person to bother one day. Complainers get found out and if the person is less tolerant, they can pursue you and make your life a living hell. Think anything from petty passive aggressive annoyances, to harassment law suits, to mafia style bat to your knees kind of thing or damage to your property. Once the war happens, it will be much less pleasant to live in your house and having an eyesore on the street will be the least of your worries.
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Anonymous
I'm not the OP, but I would much rather have her as my neighbor than you. You sound scary. |
Anonymous
| Move to an HOA master planned community, or to the street with already established homes. WTF? You chose to move to the street and house was there, nobody is obligated to build or landscape according to your specifications. As long as the house is not downright neglected, doesn't violate zoning, is not a health hazard for the community and is not occupied by some druggie squatters, there is little you can do. They can use the house for storage or a summer home, or whatever they desire and they can also rent it out. Move to the rural land where there are no neighbors around your 5 acre lot, problem solved. |
Anonymous
Despite the PP's hysteria, the fact is that a vacant/abandoned house is a blight on the community and actions can be taken because vacant houses lower property values. There are several legal, proper things to do. First, don't give in to outdated stereotypes. Second, you can check to see if the property taxes are paid, then check to see if liens have been or should be put on the property for failure to pay taxes or maintain the house and grounds. The neighbors can have the local housing authority seek out the owners to maintain the property. If they are unavailable, the authority can eventually make a ruling on the property as abandoned and put it up for sale by the state. In all of these cases, any aggression by owners or squatters can of course be handled by the police. Yes, owners have rights but they also have responsibilities to the state and the community. When the owners neglect those responsibilities, they can in some cases lose their property rights. If in doubt, check with the county. |
Anonymous
At least I mind my own business, and as long as you mind yours, we will have no problems whatsoever. |
Anonymous
| is it an unfinished mcmansion |
Anonymous
Tone it down, people. This is an anonymous board, so you're safe from each other, and we're all safe from you, too. |
Anonymous
This is BS. What if the owner is living in the property part time and has another residence? What if owner is overseas for a year or two looking to move in later? Like this doesn't ever happen? This is not illegal. If you live in a good, stable, and safe area, you do not need to worry about squatters, or drug activity or other stuff that can put your well being in danger. There is also less noise if property is unoccupied, what is the problem here? Just admit it, you don't like the look of the house. If this were a brand spanking new expensive construction, would you even care if it stayed unoccupied for a year or two as long as it's sold? |
Anonymous
Is the fact that it is unfinished, presents some health hazards? Like toxic materials laying around for months and years, or dug out holes, kids can fall into? |
Anonymous
Also, if it's unfinished and/or still under construction, there should be fencing around the property and grounds that are unsecured. |