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Recently, the Boston City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that I introduced that will crack down on abandoned, foreclosed properties in Boston's neighborhoods.

Recent events in the housing market have led to a drastic rise in the number of foreclosed houses. In cities all over the nation, homes are being left empty as families are forced to move out. These homes are frequently retaken by banks, financial institutions and large real estate conglomerates that have little to no connection with the municipality in which they own property. Many of these houses are essentially abandoned. Homes sit empty for months or years at a time, often creating a public nuisance. Some homes are in violation of multiple aspects of state and local building codes and sanitary codes. The problems include yards full of litter and trash, unsecured, abandoned houses, un-shoveled snow that renders sidewalks impassable, overgrown grass and bushes and unsecured swimming pools that are not only a threat to children but become breeding grounds for infectious insects such as mosquitoes. Banks and other financial institutions are refusing to maintain properties and municipal building inspectors have turned into investigators as they try to find out who the owners are and how to contact them to correct code violations.

My ordinance will require that all foreclosed properties be registered with the City of Boston including providing Inspectional Services with current contact information so that ISD can get in touch with the owner of record during and after foreclosure. It will also require that the contact information be prominently displayed on the property for the public to see. The legislation also requires that the property owner hire a property maintenance company or some other entity to maintain the property. Failure to comply with the ordinance will result in heavy fines including weekly fines for failure to maintain the property up to the current codes.

Sadly, the foreclosure problem is going to get worse before it gets better. This new law will help protect Boston's neighborhoods and will ensure that our City will continue to prosper now and for years to come. A copy of the ordinance may be found at http://www.cityofboston.gov/isd/foreclosure/pdfs/foreclosureOrd.pdf. Additional questions may be directed to Councilor Consalvo's Office at 617-635-4210.