February 15, 2009

An effort to maintain property values

New laws require maintenance of abandoned houses
More than 90 cities and states have passed laws requiring maintenance of abandoned homes in order to prevent crime and to maintain home values in the neighborhood.
In California, home owners can be fined up to $1,000 a day if they fail to maintain the lawn, keep out squatters or allow standing water in the yard.
In Chicago, owners of vacant properties are allowed to use plywood on doors and windows for only six months. After that, they have to use more expensive metal panels on windows and install working doors and an alarm system.

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