PLEASE TELL ME WHY?

George, that kind of thing takes place everywhere across America. Period. Starter homes, middle-class homes, homes with decimal points in the price....it just doesn't matter. "Incompetent" homeowners can be found everywhere.  Good cities usually will not tolerate that for long. Notices and signs will be erected to shame owners into compliance. Good luck. 🙄 

Chris is absolutely correct they pop up and at every price point. Homeowners associations can assist in some  cases.

I'm one of the few homeowners in my neighborhood that does my own yard work, most everyone else hires a gardener.  However, there are still those that do neither.  You know what they say, "You can pick your friends, and pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose".  I'm not sure if this applies in this case, but it sounds good.

Posted by: @chris

George, that kind of thing takes place everywhere across America. Period. Starter homes, middle-class homes, homes with decimal points in the price....it just doesn't matter. "Incompetent" homeowners can be found everywhere.  Good cities usually will not tolerate that for long. Notices and signs will be erected to shame owners into compliance. Good luck. 🙄 

Sadly, most of these people can't be shamed.  They just don't get it and don't care.  The city can give them a citation to clean up their yards, but even that doesn't do any good.  Some neighbors, including myself have even tried talking with these folks, and were told to F-off.  They're just trashy humans who have no care in the world what "their property" looks like.  As I stated in my original post here, it's frustrating.

It’s kind of like having the ability to turn right on red…”to each his own”…I once had a roommate who “exercised his right to NOT turn right on red” (even though it was legal to do so)…or, it’s like understanding that the right to vote also means the right to not vote…

Posted by: @terryslekar

It’s kind of like having the ability to turn right on red…”to each his own”…I once had a roommate who “exercised his right to NOT turn right on red” (even though it was legal to do so)…or, it’s like understanding that the right to vote also means the right to not vote…

Good points.  I would only add that on your last comment about "the right to not vote", that if one doesn't vote, they should shut the hell up about what either party or candidate is or isn't doing.  They've not participated in the democratic process (which using "their voice" when they vote), so they shouldn't be complaining.  At least this is my take on "not voting".

I concur 100%.

Posted by: @georgeschire

Posted by: @chris

George, that kind of thing takes place everywhere across America. Period. Starter homes, middle-class homes, homes with decimal points in the price....it just doesn't matter. "Incompetent" homeowners can be found everywhere.  Good cities usually will not tolerate that for long. Notices and signs will be erected to shame owners into compliance. Good luck. 🙄 

Sadly, most of these people can't be shamed.  They just don't get it and don't care.  The city can give them a citation to clean up their yards, but even that doesn't do any good.  Some neighbors, including myself have even tried talking with these folks, and were told to F-off.  They're just trashy humans who have no care in the world what "their property" looks like.  As I stated in my original post here, it's frustrating.

"....a citation?"    George, you mean to say your city will impose a fine (for failure to comply) but nothing else?  Usually, the city board will mandate property owners comply with violation stipulations timely or they will incur the cost of "clean up" as reimbursement to the city (for cleaning up the unsightly area). One way or another, that property will be maintained.

Posted by: @chris

Posted by: @georgeschire

Posted by: @chris

George, that kind of thing takes place everywhere across America. Period. Starter homes, middle-class homes, homes with decimal points in the price....it just doesn't matter. "Incompetent" homeowners can be found everywhere.  Good cities usually will not tolerate that for long. Notices and signs will be erected to shame owners into compliance. Good luck. 🙄 

Sadly, most of these people can't be shamed.  They just don't get it and don't care.  The city can give them a citation to clean up their yards, but even that doesn't do any good.  Some neighbors, including myself have even tried talking with these folks, and were told to F-off.  They're just trashy humans who have no care in the world what "their property" looks like.  As I stated in my original post here, it's frustrating.

"....a citation?"    George, you mean to say your city will impose a fine (for failure to comply) but nothing else?  Usually, the city board will mandate property owners comply with violation stipulations timely or they will incur the cost of "clean up" as reimbursement to the city (for cleaning up the unsightly area). One way or another, that property will be maintained.

We've got one loser in the block who gets citations all the time.  The city has come in and finally cut his grass, but he still will not cut it until he is forced to again.  His house is in really bad shape, has broken windows (with duct tape on them), weeds growing all around the house, through his deck steps, in all the cracks in the driveway, junk all over the yard and two cars that have flat tires.  But here's the real kicker, this loser is a realtor for Coldwell Banker!!!  Obviously he doesn't have a clue what "Curb Appeal" means to a perspective home buyer.  The house he's living in was foreclosed on back in 2013, and the bank walked away from it because it would have cost them too much to repair the house.  So to the best of our knowledge, he's living in the house the last 9 years free...except for property taxes, that he may or may not be paying.  He doesn't talk to anyone around him.  I know the good book says we are to love thy neighbor, but in this case, we'd all like to see him removed from life.

Posted by: @georgeschire

Posted by: @chris

Posted by: @georgeschire

Posted by: @chris

George, that kind of thing takes place everywhere across America. Period. Starter homes, middle-class homes, homes with decimal points in the price....it just doesn't matter. "Incompetent" homeowners can be found everywhere.  Good cities usually will not tolerate that for long. Notices and signs will be erected to shame owners into compliance. Good luck. 🙄 

Sadly, most of these people can't be shamed.  They just don't get it and don't care.  The city can give them a citation to clean up their yards, but even that doesn't do any good.  Some neighbors, including myself have even tried talking with these folks, and were told to F-off.  They're just trashy humans who have no care in the world what "their property" looks like.  As I stated in my original post here, it's frustrating.

"....a citation?"    George, you mean to say your city will impose a fine (for failure to comply) but nothing else?  Usually, the city board will mandate property owners comply with violation stipulations timely or they will incur the cost of "clean up" as reimbursement to the city (for cleaning up the unsightly area). One way or another, that property will be maintained.

We've got one loser in the block who gets citations all the time.  The city has come in and finally cut his grass, but he still will not cut it until he is forced to again.  His house is in really bad shape, has broken windows (with duct tape on them), weeds growing all around the house, through his deck steps, in all the cracks in the driveway, junk all over the yard and two cars that have flat tires.  But here's the real kicker, this loser is a realtor for Coldwell Banker!!!  Obviously he doesn't have a clue what "Curb Appeal" means to a perspective home buyer.  The house he's living in was foreclosed on back in 2013, and the bank walked away from it because it would have cost them too much to repair the house.  So to the best of our knowledge, he's living in the house the last 9 years free...except for property taxes, that he may or may not be paying.  He doesn't talk to anyone around him.  I know the good book says we are to love thy neighbor, but in this case, we'd all like to see him removed from life.

"The city has come in and finally cut his grass...."   Based on your description, I'm very surprised to hear that's all they did. The overgrown weeds, duct tape, flat tires, etc.. should've been also addressed. I'm sure he's paying his taxes but that's easy to check online. Simply plug in his address on the city's website. Among other things, you can check his water bill, property taxes and a detailed account of all city code violations (paid and otherwise).

Now, if a bank walked away in 2013 and in 2022 there's still no profit to be made (in this hot-hot housing climate) then that's a house in terrible condition. Most cities have a right to condemn neglected properties, but seldom do so.

Just to be a pian-in-the-ass (I'm very good at that!) I'd LITERALLY "bug" the code enforcement officer WEEKLY...AND... register complaints online WEEKLY.  I want someone to explain to me just how a house like that is allowed to exist when the city continually abates the eyesores. Trust me, if nothing else, the city ordinance board will issue violations a quick as the law will allow. Now you, have indirectly become a "p-i-t-a" for that "delinquent squatter."  NOTE: If he truly is a squatter, then that's a new ballgame! (that's why I'm all but certain he's paying taxes).

Sadly, there's very little legal action (against the city) you can take since most cities are immune from such recourse. Even if the citations and subsequent fees pile up, there's very little beyond that the city can do. Your jack-ass squatter (the Realtor) is aware of this.

It's very frustrating as you noted. The best you can do is remain vigilant and fight fire with fire as best you can.

I live in the country on 20 acres with 1 neighbor close- so don't seem to have all the problems/worries you guys talk about- but that said, I'd be that guy that told you to mind your own business-

Posted by: @2bubbas

I live in the country on 20 acres with 1 neighbor close- so don't seem to have all the problems/worries you guys talk about- but that said, I'd be that guy that told you to mind your own business-

That's sad.  Guess we see things a little differently.  When you are part of a neighborhood/community, you owe it to your neighbors to not be the "one house on the block that looks like the city dump".  If one doesn't want to care for their yard and home, they should live in an apartment.  But to be the eyesore of the block is wrong.  

@georgeschire I agree George and that's of course why cities have by-laws, to maintain an approved standard.  People realize this when they buy into a residential neighborhood scenario and certainly would know that such by-laws exist because  the close proximity of residential lots affects the overall neighborhood enjoyment.  It's mutual respect and common sense.

Posted by: @terryslekar

It’s kind of like having the ability to turn right on red…”to each his own”…I once had a roommate who “exercised his right to NOT turn right on red” (even though it was legal to do so)…or, it’s like understanding that the right to vote also means the right to not vote…

In today's climate “exercised his right to NOT turn right on red” would be etched on this tomb stone.