If you have abandoned homes in your San Jose neighborhood then you may want to take action!
San Jose Municipal Code 17.38 specifically requires property owners, and this includes banks/mortgage lenders of foreclosed homes, to maintain them in a manner that restricts unauthorized entry. In addition, property owners are also required to maintain the exterior of the structure and the yard areas to ensure that the property does not blight neighboring properties or the neighborhood. Property owners are required to paint over graffiti, maintain the landscaping and remove refuse/trash from the property. Failing to comply will result in the issuance of administrative citations that carry escalating fines in the amount of $250.00-$1,000.00 per violation.
Vacant homes that are not maintained have been declared to be a Public Nuisance. San Jose Code Enforcement recognizes that an abandoned home that is not secured is an attractive nuisance to transients, gang members and, in some cases, curious children.
If you observe a vacant home that is unsecured, please do not hesitate to contact the City of San Jose Code Enforcement Division at 277-4528, and a Code Enforcement Inspector will conduct an inspection within 24 hours. Code Enforcement will contact the property owner and order the home secured and, in some cases, may elect to immediately abate the nuisance by boarding points of entry.
This is a City-wide concern. Contact the Code Enforcement Division if you observe a “neglected” vacant home.
Copyright © 2010, All Rights Reserved by Kathleen Daniels, San Jose Short Sale Specialist *Abandoned homes in your San Jose Ca Neighborhood*
The best way to get rid of abandoned and blighted properties is to give them to working persons who need a cheap place to live. No or mortgage, just property taxes and an agreement to bring the house up to code within a reasonable amount of time.
Because we are capitalists, our banks and government want to sell these homes, often at prices that prohibit otherwise decent tenants from acquiring these properties. My point: It’s going to cost the government/bank money to keep, repair and maintain the house. A poor(ish) working class person would be ecstatic to own this property, but may not be able to afford the sticker. Even on a blight home.
GIVE the house to whomever wants it. Period. We pay the taxes, we fix the place up. After fulfilling our contract, we should be given the title, or something of similar value to help working class families get established.