Procedures to follow for issuing notices and for condemning a structure.
You receive a complaint concerning an issue with a house or property.
You make an inspection of the property from the right of way area (street or alley) and make note of violations that you can see. Examples; broken windows, worn shingles, paint peeling, holes in foundation, foundation crumbling, dangerous steps or porches, etc.
Prepare a letter to send to the owner concerning the complaint you received and the observations you made at the property. This will be a friendly letter asking the owner to make some repairs to bring the property into compliance with the ordinance. Then wait about a month and see if they start any work or get any permits. Always send your letters for repairs during the appropriate times of the year.
If they fail to start making repairs in a reasonable time, send a notice and order requiring the repairs to made and reasonable time line for them to be completed. State the consequences for failing to comply with your notice and order. The notice and order will usually start some communication with the owner. Try and schedule an inspection of the property with the owner to make a closer look at the exterior and the interior of the building. If the owner is sincere and wants to comply, grant extensions in order for him to complete the work. Make your extensions reasonable, both for you and the owner. Be prepared to follow through if they do not comply.
By the owner failing to comply, leaves the municipality with options on the follow through. You can issue a citation or demolish the structure, whichever would be the appropriate action for the violation. If it is a vacant house and it is dilapidated, then demolition would be the appropriate action. If it’s a matter of painting the house, then a citation may be the appropriate action.
If it is your intent to get rid of an unsightly structure that is has been vacant for years and you know the owner is going to do nothing, be prepared to demolish the structure. That means having the finances available to hire the work done or the man power to complete the work. Any cost to the city for the abatement will be billed to the owner and will be assessed against the property if he fails to pay.