TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

County Wants Registry

ADVERTISEMENT

By JOHN W. ALLMAN

jallman@tampatrib.com

Published: March 5, 2009

TAMPA - Since 2008, at least 744 foreclosure cases have been initiated in unincorporated Hillsborough County.

Of those, 246 have active code enforcement violations, meaning the properties are in some state of disrepair.

On Wednesday, the Hillsborough County Commission asked for help - a new ordinance designed to force lending institutions to register all vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties, and to provide periodic inspections prior to code enforcement officers getting involved.

The registration would include a fee, which has yet to be determined. It would allow the county to place a lien on any property whose mortgage lender did not maintain its upkeep or repay cleanup efforts by the county.

The commission voted unanimously to support Commissioner Ken Hagan's request. An ordinance is expected to come back before the board in 45 days.

"It is a growing problem, and I'm afraid it's only going to get worse," Hagan said. "The goal here is to protect our neighborhoods."

There are several outstanding questions, however.

There are four bills before the state Legislature - identical House and Senate efforts to create a statewide registry of such properties, and identical bills to block public information on the properties from being disseminated.

It's not clear yet whether a state law would eliminate the need for county action.

The reason for the public information portion of the state bill, according to County Attorney Renee Lee, is to protect residents living near empty homes.

"We don't want to invite people to move into these vacant properties," she said. "We don't want to create another problem."

The proposed legislation also does not include a dollar amount for the registration. The legislation does include a $500 penalty for banks and other lenders that don't properly identify whether a property is vacant or abandoned.

Dexter Barge, county code enforcement director, said late Wednesday that he supports Hagan's request.

"There's a gap when the homeowner walks away from the property ... when we don't have anyone to hold accountable," Barge said. "This gives us a means of tracking lenders down easily, and also putting a lien on the property."

Barge's office created a database in 2008 to follow foreclosure cases. It does not include properties that became vacant or abandoned prior to last year.

A total number of such properties in the county is unknown.

Reporter John W. Allman can be reached at (813) 259-7915.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT