California Gov. Edmund Brown Jr. signed into law Aug. 27 a bill that combats neighborhood blight by levying excessive fines against owners of foreclosed homes who do not maintain their properties effectively.
As part of AB 2314, created by Assemblymember Wilmer Carter, D-Rialto, owners of vacant blighted properties can face fines from $1,000 to $5,000 per day if there are any code violations at the site. A government entity that seeks to impose a fine has to give the owner 14 days’ notice to begin fixing the problem and to allow a hearing to contest these penalties. If the violation is not resolved within 30 days, the government can move forward with the fine.
Also, banks would be required to inform local code enforcement agencies of any liens placed on foreclosed properties, therefore facilitating the demotion process.
Another part of the bill stops enforcement action form being taken against buyers of blighted properties for 60 days as long as repairs are being made to the home.
“We need solutions to the problem of blight which threatens the health and safety of California communities hit hardest by the mortgage crisis,” Carter said. “AB 2314 will ensure that local jurisdictions continue to have the tools to prevent and fight neighborhood blight due to foreclosures.”
AB 2314 comprises one of the six bills of the
“This legislation will help victims of the crisis who remain in their homes, but have been forced to endure the negative economic, health and safety consequences of blight in their neighborhoods,” Harris said.
