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S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1807
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:22 am: | 
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My neighbors has a leaky roof for the past year and has resorted to putting a tarp over it with cinderrblocks holding it down. The first tarp blew off many times including the cinderblocks. One time the latter came very close to taking out one of my kitchen window. Sometimes they would let it flutter in the wind for days on end (causing a racket) before doing anything about it
It finally disentegrated and now I find little pieces of plastic all over my property.
I noticed yesterday they put a new black tarp.
Another neighbor down the street has a front porch that looks like it is holding the rest of the house up and ready to fall off at the same time. It has been like this for quite a while.
Another neighbors house needs a serious paint job. paint is peeling so bad everywhere that it is almost nauseating to look at.
It looked like another neighbor rammed his car into his garage door. The remains have been hanging there months.
Question.
Can the town intervene to do anything about this (make them fix this)?
Just curious....
-SLK |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1870
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:30 am: |
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I believe so. I know they've given warnings/fines (in Maplewood) to people for peeling paint and lawns that haven't been mowed. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2899
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 1:45 pm: |
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Whoever maintains/monitors building code for Maplewood would seen to be the place to take the concern. Some of these sound like no-brainers as they are either eyesores that degrade the neighborhood, or code violations given the elapsed time. |
Just The Aunt
Supporter
Username: Auntof13
Post Number: 5484
Registered: 1-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 2:50 pm: |
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SLK
If this is in South Orange I am pretty sure there are regulations agains all the things you mentioned. But then you look at the downtown area and wonder. I would be pretty frustrated if I were you. I'm sure you and / or others have nicely said something to these neighbors. I would call the Town Hall and ask for the building inspector. Trll them what's happening. |
S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1811
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 3:15 pm: |
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Thanks for the input everyone.
Believe me, I know what it takes to maintain a house and I am also aware the dream of owning one and not trying to give others grief.
But I also believe that part of owning a house is the ability to maintain it.
-SLK
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Montagnard
Citizen
Username: Montagnard
Post Number: 1973
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 9:55 pm: |
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The town could intervene, but I think this might be a form of communism, so perhaps you should try to solve this on your own. |
Rod
Citizen
Username: Skimrod
Post Number: 118
Registered: 4-2004
| | Posted on Monday, June 26, 2006 - 10:31 pm: |
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I think they can afford to fix these problems but they are all having so much fun buggin the heck out of you why should they do the repairs.Be happy they didn't get to the point of parking their cars on their front lawn |
S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1818
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 8:18 am: |
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Montagnard,
What does communism, a failing economic system, have to do with anything?
Personally I don't think it is my place to solve the problem, but it is my place to be concerned about it.
Besides my way of solving would be "HEY YOU FING CHEAP, LAZY AHOLE, FIX YOUR GOSHDARN HOUSE ALREADY OR SELL IT AND MOVE ON!" 
As my social worker wife tells me, I could never be a social worker....not enough finesse in my style... 
-SLK
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Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 55
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:03 am: |
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S.L.K. 2.O
I know your pain. We have a few issues like yours in our hood as well.
The only thing I would caution you on is this: You have to live there, so think about your strategy before you strike. Don't make an enemy of yourself.
I know what you're thinking, because I think the same way: "Now I have to worry about offending them when their peeling paint, lawn, garbage, etc. offends me?"
You are well within your rights to resolve these eyesores, but I'd advise that you talk to your neighbors first. It takes balls, but in the long run, it reduces paranoia and bad feelings among neighbors.
The gamble is this: Are they going to be pissed and hate you or are they going to feel bad and apologize. If someone were to complain about something on my property, I would resolve it immediately. But that's me.
It'll depend on your neighbors. Obviously, if your personal safety is at stake, let the authorities handle it.
Try to be humorous and self effacing or show concern instead of the "can we talk". My wife uses the damsel and worried look, but that won't work for me.
Why can't people just take care of their homes? It's the bain of my existence.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11960
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:09 am: |
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SLK, don't take this wrong, but you moved into a transitional neighborhood. The neighborhood is changing, from your point of view at least, for the better, but a fair number of the people living there don't have a spare $10k sitting in the sweap account. Becasue of this I would be somewhat hesitant to call the code enforcement people.
Time will probably take care of the issues you mention.
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S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1820
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:40 am: |
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BobK/Tuxedo-
Points well taken, thanks. |
Leighan
Citizen
Username: Leighan
Post Number: 4
Registered: 6-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
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SLK
The people you're talking about are probably well aware of the work they need to do on their houses.
I squirmed a little bit reading your post, because my siding needs replacing and is becoming an eyesore. But, we've been told we'll have to replace our roof at the same time, and we simply don't have the $20k handy right now, so we've had to put it off for a year.
Doesn't mean we don't care about how our home looks! |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 57
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 12:16 pm: |
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That being said, some repairs don't take 10 or 20K to fix and boils down to people becoming complacent, inconsiderate and lazy. Also, some people JUST DON'T SEE IT and that's the truth. They aren't into the details.
Like, junk and garbage laying around outside and grass that needs to be mown. That's not an expenditure, that's being a sloth.
There is a lot on a home that can be band-aided to get through tough financial times. One of my neighbors told me outright that she knew her house needed painting, but that it would wait until next season. That's cool. At least she addressed it.
}
As far as I'm concerned and IMHO, peeling paint, and I mean really peeling paint, needs to be taken care of with a loan if one cannot afford it. I would be embarrassed to find out that my neighbors were talking about my house in disgrace.
So, SLK, if these people that you are discussing have had their homes in this state of disrepair for a long time, then address it. If it has come about only recently, maybe give a bit of slack.
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S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1827
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 12:46 pm: |
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Tuxedo,
It sounds like you and I are from the same school. I am not trying to beat up people over and totally understand what it takes to renovate a house and coming up with the cash to do so. I am always trying to figure this stuff out.
And Bob K did point something out that I always thught in the back of my mind but never came out and said. Hilton is indeed in transition and has come along way. I can't forget that.
But garbage is a big no no for me. Every morning after my run (5:30ish) I make a sweep on my street to grab all the trash...there is not much but every effort does count. I don't wait for someone else to do something....my neighbor across the street (retired) takes whatever garbage is on his property and puts in the street like MA is NYC with sweepers coming every other day!
I can excuse the garage door and the peeling paint(both families seem like they don't have alot of money) but I don't know about the roof. My neighbors are in some legal mess they are trying to sort out. Basically the parents died leaving the kids to tend the house and without leaving a will. Once they get the house in their name they plan to take an equity loan out and do repairs on the house.
This is great but I am like: Why don't you put the roof repair on a credit card and pay it off when the legal mess is done with? What in god's name are you waiting for? For the roof to get worse?
-SLK
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argon_smythe
Citizen
Username: Argon_smythe
Post Number: 836
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 1:31 pm: |
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If the property is in probate then the ownership is probably undetermined and therefore the question of whose credit card is to pay for this repair becomes quite difficult. You can't just go putting a roof on a house you don't own, now can you? The kids may in fact be in this type of situation.
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Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 58
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 1:51 pm: |
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SLK: I had to chase a kid down one day who threw her McD's garbage into my yard. And I'm not in a transitional neighborhood!
It has NOTHING to do with it. You can go into the nicest hoods in the USA and there will always be the irksome, irresponsibile neighbors: Shanty or Mansion.
The neighbors with the barking dog, peeling paint, horrible lawn, jacked up cars, etc.
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Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2903
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 1:52 pm: |
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Plus, not everyone has that much "room" on their credit card. Or be able to get a loan. I hear you on the eyesore/danger angle, but don't overlook the fact that some of these folks just may not have the money or access to money, period. Then it gets to be a question of "Well, now what?" |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 59
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 3:12 pm: |
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A HELOC is intended just for these sorts of things. If you have a mortgage, you can and should get a HELOC. You will qualify if you own your home.
Wells Fargo has great rates right now. A HELOC provides great protection with a comparatively low interest rate, instead of revolving credit card debt at 11-20%.
A HELOC is perfect for projects: busted roofs, basement renovation, paint jobs, flooding, heating and A/C systems.
Every homeowner should have a HELCO, regardless of whether they ever intend on using it right away or not. It's almost like an added insurance policy when disaster strikes your house.
So, really, there are financing alternatives for hastening a project. I don't know anyone who has 10-20 thousand lying around. Who has that?
Saving up for that kind of scratch would make one go a little nuts with all the other bills to pay.
Pull it out of your HELOC, you won't miss it that much when you lump it into your mortgage payment.
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greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8233
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 3:25 pm: |
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Lord knows that I am one of the biggest snobs about people keeping up their houses.
But, it's pretty presumptuous to assume that people are in a position to just snap their fingers and take out a loan, HELOC or otherwise. What is your advice to the fomer exec who was downsized? Or the person with a sick child and no health insurance? Or the sons & daughters who suddenly find themselves supporting their elderly mother when they find out that dad left no life insurance? Or the person who has been out of work with an illness?
They may have one or two other uses for that HELOC. Which probably doesn't make them very happy as they watch their equity go up in smoke.
I may have my opinions on the condition of someone's home but it's pretty obnoxious to make assumptions about other people's financial status.
You remind me of a poster who hasn't been around for a couple years. He, too, liked to find solutions to other peoples' problems that benefited himself. Which was fine because he was the ultimate authority on everything.
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Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 11968
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 3:34 pm: |
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What Greentree said.
Also, most neighborhoods in Maplewood are transistional to one degree or another. The transistion may be from families with a household income of $200,000 a year to families with twice the income, but they are in transistion as well.
Because HELOCS have adjustable rates they are often not the best choice for people of limited means. The $200 a month payment can become $400 a month really quickly, especially in the last year. |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 60
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 3:43 pm: |
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Greenetree, Bob K. Please don't take this personally. I'm only offering solutions to the credit card crisis. Of course if someone has a catastrophic situation they are going to make the right choices for themselves and their families and prioritize. That's all. |
Zoesky1
Citizen
Username: Zoesky1
Post Number: 1571
Registered: 6-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 3:43 pm: |
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I agree with Greenetree and Bob K. In my neighborhood, the houses are well-cared for, but there is one across the street from me and one house down (kitty corner?) that has had ugly plastic tarp stretched across a large window in front for as long as I have lived here (since August 2005). The yard also needs a lot of work. It's ugly. I assumed the people there just didn't care, until my other neighbor directly across the street told me a sad story about that the guy has serious health issues and had to get a pacemaker (and he's only about 43, according to the neighbor), and had been in the process of renovating the house and had ordered the wrong size window panes for that window, then ran out of money to reorder more,had to cover it with tarp, can't afford to hire people to redo it, etc., etc...way more info than I needed, but the moral of the story was, you never know what other people are dealing with. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2904
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 4:11 pm: |
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As I have good reason to know, some sort of town-based "Habitat for Humanity" service could be of use to persons in dire need of danger-making home repair. A little cash, a little volunteer work, etc.
As it happens, a dear friend organized some others to bail me out in my moment of similar need. Not everyone is so lucky. |
S.L.K. 2.0
Citizen
Username: Scrotisloknows
Post Number: 1834
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 5:00 pm: |
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i can understand money problems. With 2 children under 2 years of age and a wife working part time, I know what budgeting is.
But, owning a home takes many different responsibilities, including respecting your neighbors by caring for it.
And I agree with Tuxedo on having a HELOC as plan B in case something happens. You can open one but don't necessairly have to use it.
Argon-so what if the roof falls into tomorrow (it is that bad)? It is not not a matter of if thouse goes in his name but when. Even if it is questionable he obviously has an attorney...why not ask him.
I think my neighbor's mentality has something to do with it as well. I noticed the other day he was watering his garden and his pressure was really low thinking it was his hose head. I have an extra mutli-functional one and offered it to him. Come to find out it wasn't the nozzle but the outside spicket was broken so he was running the hose to his kitchen sink! he says he is too lazy to get it fixed....ok...I had a similar problem and it cost me 150 clams to fix.
20 minutes later his sister shows up with a new grill....! nothing was wrong with the old one....
Tuxedo-can I ask what hood you live in by the way?
-SLK |
Tuxedo
Citizen
Username: Tuxedo
Post Number: 61
Registered: 7-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 5:42 pm: |
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Maplewood |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 8237
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 6:01 pm: |
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There but for the grace of god..... |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 2010
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 6:17 pm: |
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Cynical -
Quote:As I have good reason to know, some sort of town-based "Habitat for Humanity" service could be of use to persons in dire need of danger-making home repair. A little cash, a little volunteer work, etc.
I think you're onto something. We have 2 houses on our street that are in need of repair, and in both situations there's a problem under the surface. It's not willful neglect, it's health and money problems.
Sometimes some neigborly elbow grease and garage-sale money can save a homeowner from the old-house undertow when an unexpected crisis hits.
The Tuxedo Park neighborhood association pitches in and helps repair houses when they need it.
I'd like to re-visit this topic after July 4th. I think there's a real need for occasional helping hands w/ our old houses - if 10 people get together with tools and some basic know-how, it can really make a difference. |
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2905
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 9:13 pm: |
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Yep, I agree Lydia. Sometimes, some people just need a little assistance getting over the hump. Certainly the skill sets are around this town.
S.L.K. 2.0, I generally agree that with home ownership comes responsibility to neighbors, a level of maintenance. And, sometimes people do make dumb asc choices about priorities. But, equally often I think, sometimes really bad stuff starts snowballing in a family's life and they really just do need a home fixit intervention. That's why the Habitat concept has appeal, I think, to help a person or family in a really bad spot get some much needed help getting back up to code. Ultimately, it may be best that they move because the particular house is too much of them (an elderly person, a chronically sick person). But, sometimes it's just a temporary thing and they need a spot of help, like an informal social services thing. |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 2011
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:19 pm: |
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Cynical - exactly!
Sometimes a small-ish gesture can halt a little problem before it turns into a "For Sale" sign on the front lawn.
I sort of, kind of, was accidentally was the recipient of a kind Maplewoodian this week who mistakenly thought I had fallen on hard times. Without going into a ton of details, I went to a garage sale - the owner helped me load the stuff into my car, and when I asked what I owed he said it was free, and blessed me(!)
I tried to pay him, but he refused, and suggested I come back for even more stuff. I felt a little weird, but figured he was just happy to unload his stuff.
I got home and told my husband - he pointed out that my car is a 20 year-old Honda Prelude that backfires with 1 working door. The rear is full of sheets and pillows (I was going to drop them off at Morrow), the front seat had 2 family-size cases of chicken feet (for my dogs) and the kicker is the huge empty Poland Springs bottle that says "DONATIONS" - that's for the 4th of July.
This is the SECOND time that I've been mistaken for a homeless or almost-homeless person.
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TomR
Citizen
Username: Tomr
Post Number: 1159
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:22 pm: |
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Is there actually an ordinance in either of the two towns requiring a specific level of maintainence for either homes or lawns?
If so, can somebody direct me to such ordinance?
Just curious here in Maplewood.
TomR |
Lydia
Supporter
Username: Lydial
Post Number: 2013
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, June 27, 2006 - 10:53 pm: |
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TomR -
Quote:Is there actually an ordinance in either of the two towns requiring a specific level of maintainence for either homes or lawns?
There are several ordinances - go to the municipal building on Valley street - go to the 2nd floor, and ask away.
I've found that that there are lots of ordinances, but it's hard to get any enforcement. I had one of those yellow pieces of paper in my window for 3 years, I took it down recently because it's a pain to un-tape it every time I have to wash the window.
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JazzMe
Citizen
Username: Jazzme
Post Number: 212
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Wednesday, June 28, 2006 - 9:29 am: |
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I'm glad this post is turning the way it is and not the elitist wine-and-cheese bullsh*t I hear every now and then around town...
A local helping hand circle is a great idea - we had that informally with some people from my former church, where carpenters, wall-paper covering guys, painters, or simple handy church members would help each other out for free - awsome! Creating something like this locally would be great, and I'd be in. |
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