Governor’s Housing Conference Restoring Communities Across Maryland Protecting Communities from Vacant and Foreclosed Properties October 16, 2012 Jason Hessler Assistant Commissioner of Litigation

Baltimore City Overview Population: 620,000 Open violation Notices: 29,510 Vacant Building Notices: 16,106 Property Maintenance Inspectors: 87 Inspections completed in FY’12: 287,000 Work Orders Completed in FY ’12: 52,193

What we are doing to combat vacant properties

Building Code Enforcement Capacity: What tools are critical and how do you get there? Enforcement Administrative citations Rely on executive authority wherever possible and resort to judiciary only where necessary Trained Investigators Dedicated code enforcement attorneys

Business processes that maximize productivity New tools and business processes have been programmed into code enforcement’s automated business systems. Within the first 12 months of launch, code enforcement will likely issue 1,000 citations for failing to abate a violation notice - effectively doubling enforcement capacity while at the same time reducing the wait time for results by more than 50%. The Code Enforcement Timeline

Clean & Lien

Demolition

Trained Investigator

Dedicated Attorneys and Court

Unoccupied vs. Vacant Unoccupied not Vacant – Keep an eye on it. –Issue violation notice at first signs of decline. –Require a registration. Vacant foreclosed home –Locate responsible party –Clean, Secure and Lien Property –Keep them on a short lease –Litigate if necessary Injunction vs. Receivership

Code Enforcement works by leveraging private resources, if resources are not there, code enforcement cannot successfully leverage an outcome.

GIS Mapping

Receivership Filings

Promote community involvement through access to data and an on- ramp to government.

Communicate with the Community

Be Responsive

Tips

Property address Mail-to address Is the property registered? Has the owner pulled any permits? Do they own any other properties? –Are any of these properties registered? If so, repeat analysis. Are the taxes paid? Are there additional names listed on the deed? If so, repeat analysis. Where is the water bill mailed? Have they filed for bankruptcy? Create a checklist

Identify In-House Resources Baltimore City Data Sources: Land Records (BITS) Property Registration Licensing Permits Prior Code Actions Investigator Files Tax payments Water bills

Foreclosure Registry Database Free on the web Google Search (Web sites), Phone book, Pipl, Facebook,, Myspace, linkedIn SS Death Index, (No longer free) FDIC (Banks), National Information Center (Banking Institution Search), MD Register of Wills, Case Search, (Judgment/Lien Search) SDAT, MD Land Records, National Registered agent link, Short Sale Lender site, specialists.com/community_reports.shtml MERS, Federal Inmate search, State Inmate Search,

Maryland Case Search

Mortgage Electronic Registration System

Other Resources Knock on doors and ask neighbors Motor Vehicle Records. Fee Based Internet Services, Accurint, CLEAR – –

Jason Hessler, Assistant Commissioner Baltimore Housing Permits and Code Enforcement Legal Section 417 E. Fayette St, Room 355 Baltimore, MD