| Author |
Message |
    
juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 223
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 10:10 am: | 
|
While walking in my neighborhood I often pass a house that looks to be in serious disrepair despite that people, who I don't know, live there. The issues I've seen in the past are merely cosmetic . . . overgrown yard and collapsed retaining wall, but I've often wondered if the living conditions inside are safe considering the looks of the outside. But, not my business . . .right? This isn't some crazy planned community. Clip your hedges or don't. Whatever. Besides, I don't have to look at this house, just walk past it from time time.
Then this morning the sounds of a flock of noisy birds caught my attention and while looking for them in the trees I realized they were roosting in the roof or soffit of this same house. Several soffit boards were missing from the corner facing the street. Then I noticed smoke coming out of the chimney and wondered, considering their upkeep issues, if they had cleaned/checked out their chimney lately.
Okay, feel guilty being such a busybody but it is reasonable to be concerned about the home's structural safety? And if I were to really speak with someone (from the Town, I guess?) about it, would I possibly make things worse for the folks who live there? |
Smarty Jones
Citizen
Username: Birdstone
Post Number: 218
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 10:19 am: |
|
Good luck....friends of ours pursued an unkept house next door, only to learn that the owner was on the TC....Needless to say, what a way to ensure your neighbors will be unfriendly, and from what I presume, approaching this sometimes creates a defensive "digging in the heels" effect over proprietorship of their home.
Messy homes exist in even the finest communities in my opinion, and the neighbors can't help. |
LilLB
Citizen
Username: Lillb
Post Number: 1203
Registered: 10-2002
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 10:24 am: |
|
If it's just general suspicion of danger, I don't know what you can do other than talk to the neighbor out of concern for their well-being and those around them. If you see a specific situation that looks dangerous or in violation of one code or another (even overgrown grass is a violation), you can call the town and they will come out and inspect it. If there is a problem, they'll issue a summons and it may prompt the owners to fix it. |
Bob K
Supporter
Username: Bobk
Post Number: 10388
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 10:43 am: |
|
Smarty, here in Maplewood? LOL
JJ, there are maintenance codes here in Maplewood. The often maligned Building Department actually drives around looking for them. Calling the Building Department would not be out of line.
However, take a long look into your soul. Are you concerned with potential health hazards for the tenants or the poor appearance of the property. Quite possibly bringing this property to the official attention of the Town would cause the owner problems.
|
summerbabe
Citizen
Username: Summerbabe
Post Number: 45
Registered: 7-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 11:06 am: |
|
I know of a house like the one you are describing, and I've often wondered what could be done about it. In fact, I've taken to calling it the "Grey Gardens" house, because it's so overgrown and messy. One day I was walking to the train and this woman who lives there (I'm assuming) backed out of her overgrown driveway so fast that she nearly ran me over. It was clear she couldn't even see where she was going. I'd say that qualifies as a real danger. |
Pdg
Citizen
Username: Pdg
Post Number: 327
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 11:18 am: |
|
Perhaps drop the owner an anonymous, gently worded note expressing your neighborly concerns.
While gardening one day, I heard some roofing material flapping in the wind on the house of a near-neighbor who lived on the street behind mine and down a couple houses. I wrote a quick note and took it to the neighbor to "let them know". They both worked and had no idea that their roofing material was loose. They wrote me back and thanked me for letting them know before it got worse and possibly leaked, and they repaired it right away.
I know I'd rather know early than late. Of course it sounds as if this neighbor can not help but know, but I'd try assuming the best of them first, before calling the town.
(good luck!) |
Corey Fagundez
Citizen
Username: Eyetry
Post Number: 54
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 11:39 am: |
|
Is the house that bad? Is it a neighbor within close proximity to your home? Do you REALLY feel the house needs to be reported? If something keeps nagging at you about the unsafeness then I say to contact the town. I know that "Code Enforcement" is always driving around and they definitely would check it out right away. I agree it might cause some hardship to the owner..no one who can afford to maintain his house would neglect it. I am assuming that they are finacially unable or physically unable or both. I had a neighbor whose grass on the front lawn was literally knee high or more.When the "code enforcement " told them it HAD to be cut the grown daughter of the home went at the lawn with scissors..now back to What would I do.....hmmm....I think I'd probably let it go...i'm ptetty easy going..if they lived a few houses within my house I'dmake up some way to try and see if my family or I could assist the neighbor in any way. |
juju's petals
Citizen
Username: Jujus_petals
Post Number: 224
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 24, 2006 - 12:00 pm: |
|
Maybe it is that bad. I just don't know. I haven't been staking out the place, just making nosy observations in passing.
Other than slipping on the sidewalk when they neglect to shovel or stepping around the collapsed wall on the sidewalk, it doesn't pose much of a danger to me. I don't live next door --or even on that block.
What if these folks are renting tenants and the landlord/owner is neglectful? Shouldn't they have the right to live somewhere without its own flock of birds in residence? More grist for the mill. And more reason to actually speak face-to-face, right? Of course, I have no idea how to do that . . .I don't think anyone uses the front door or sets foot in the front yard. |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 1144
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 10:39 am: |
|
May be an elderly shut-in. Someone popping by to express concern might be the answer to their prayers. I'd try that first. |
CLK
Supporter
Username: Clkelley
Post Number: 1839
Registered: 6-2002
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 11:33 am: |
|
I agree with Joe. Stop by and say "hi."
We have a similar situation very near us - the garage is falling down, and it borders on our property within a few feet of our house. It is really scary, with broken windows and the garage is all filled up with trash - just waiting for a rat infestation. The house is a disaster, and the back yard is like the deep wilderness.
We did meet the neighbor, who came to our door with a petitition about something or other a few years ago. We brought up the garage (politely, gently) at that point and she told us this long story about a bad divorce years ago and how she got the house but can't afford to maintain it, etc. etc. So we didn't push the issue. Not long after, she at least had it painted and had some of the trash removed, which helped a little.
I've always wondered what the right thing is to do, as I know she can't afford to do anything and the house is really in bad shape. But the garage is an eyesore and makes entertaining in our back yard difficult. We have learned to be oblivious to the disaster, but our guests of course are not.
It is way beyond the stage where we could help her out with a little sweat-work. The right thing to do with that garage would be to pull it down and build a new one, which there is no way she could afford. |
Tom Reingold
Supporter
Username: Noglider
Post Number: 12055
Registered: 1-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 12:28 pm: |
|
Or ask the neighbors what they know. I say contact the building code people only as a last resort. And don't look out for the neighbors' interests. That's reaching too far. But asking them what they know about the occupant of the delapidated house might give you a clue about whether you can help.
|
Cynicalgirl
Citizen
Username: Cynicalgirl
Post Number: 2249
Registered: 9-2003
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 25, 2006 - 12:38 pm: |
|
When I was a teenager in another state, the lady behind us was left by her husband. Didn't happen much back then, and people did not tend to know each other's business. She had 4 kids and apparently not much money. House began to fall apart a bit (though newish tract house). Grass unkempt. She was well outside of any code on all fronts.
Neighbors were concerned, some for property values, some for the family themselves. Anyway, about 4 neighbor guys (one my dad) got together and the most politic of them made an offer for ongoing lawn mowing (traded off among the 4) and to paint the house and do general spruce up. Which they did, without embarrassing her, for about a year. At that time, she had herself more together, one kid was old enough to mow, etc.
Seemed kinda win/win: those worried about property values made out, and those worried about her made out. I often think of that arrangement. People similarly reciprocated for my parents (snow removal) when they were old and unable.
'Course had she said "No" some might've contacted the town to put some muscle behind the offer...But, why can't an offer of help be the first step if someone's home is clearly out of code? |
Shawna
Citizen
Username: Lucies_mom
Post Number: 83
Registered: 10-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, January 26, 2006 - 6:20 pm: |
|
It could be a rental?
I'd check with the other neighbors to get the scoop first. |
Kibbegirl
Citizen
Username: Kibbegirl
Post Number: 337
Registered: 5-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 11:43 am: |
|
I like the idea of checking with other neighbors to get the skinny on the house and the family. Many of these stately homes (and non-stately) that look a mess, are often owned by older folks. Their homes are paid for lock and stock, but the property taxes are a main financial problem. Nothing much left over for home repairs, especially if you're on a fixed income. Adult children don't live nearby or even in the same state anymore, and before you know it, the house is falling apart. |
Joan
Supporter
Username: Joancrystal
Post Number: 6953
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 27, 2006 - 7:41 pm: |
|
Juju's Petals:
It really depends on how unsafe the house is. If the roof looks like it is going to cave in or there is enough dead palnt material around to pose a fire hazard, you should do whatever it takes to make things safer for everyone.
If the place just looks unkempt, then I wouldn't bring in the town just yet. Meeting the residents of the house before deciding on what action to take is a good idea. If you are uncomfortable with just ringing their door bell to say hi, try coming up with a reasonable reason for ringing their bell such as passing around a petition or accompanying your child when the child is selling something for a fund raiser. Pick a time when you are pretty sure someone will be home.
You can also ask friends of yours who live near-by if they know anything about the family but first hand impressions often work best since you don't know what history your friends may have with the residents of the house, assuming they know them. |
Closed: New threads not accepted on this page