State Senator Bob Duff
May 19, 2009
Duff Moves Legislation to Protect Neighborhoods From Foreclosure Blight
Bill would require ownership tracking, give municipalities enforcement right
Legislation designed to protect Connecticut neighborhoods from the disrepair and blight of uninhabited foreclosed properties was approved in the state Senate this afternoon, led by state Senator Bob Duff (D-Norwalk), co-chair of the General Assembly’s Banks Committee.
The legislation would require a registration system for tracking the owners of uninhabited one-to-four family dwellings obtained by strict foreclosure or foreclosure by sale. It allows municipalities to enforce any provision of the General Statutes or any municipal ordinance on the repair of maintenance of uninhabited real estate after the municipality has provided notice and an opportunity to remedy the situation.
“Blight is an extremely damaging byproduct of home foreclosures,” Senator Duff said. “When foreclosed homes sit uninhabited, they start to fall apart. Structures aren’t maintained. Yards go unattended and become overgrown. Thieves strip buildings of copper piping and wiring in order to turn a quick buck. Vandals attack buildings with spray paint and break windows. This degrades the quality of life in our neighborhoods, reduces neighboring home values and leads to violence and crime. This is not just a cosmetic issue; it’s a serious public safety concern.”
Senator Duff continued, “This bill creates a tracking mechanism so that lawful owners of foreclosed properties can be easily identified and held accountable. It gives municipalities a way to fight blight and maintain neighborhoods.”
Under the legislation, properties could be registered with the municipality’s town clerk or with the Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems (MERS). Those who register with a municipality would be required to pay a $100 fee and provide personal contact information and contact information for any local property maintenance company responsible for the security and maintenance of the vacant residential property.
Connecticut currently has the 19th highest foreclosure rate in the country, according to a May 13 report from RealtyTrac.
The Senate approved the legislation unanimously by consent. The bill — Senate Bill 951, An Act Concerning Neighborhood Protection — was previously approved unanimously in the Banks Committee, 12-to-5 in the Planning & Development Committee and 35-to-7 in the Judiciary Committee. It now moves to the state House of Representatives for consideration.
The 2009 regular legislative session adjourns on June 3.
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