Joe Foster's Blog

All eyes and ears are on the real estate market these days. We’re all, of course, concerned with the financial aspect, but what about the health concerns? I’m not talking about individual stress or depression, I’m talking about mosquitoes, snakes, and other unwelcomed wildlife that find their way to these abandoned homes.

With more and more empty homes in our neighborhoods, new health risks are increasingly becoming a concern for neighbors and county officials. Most notably are abandoned or “green” pools. These is not the “green” that saves money and energy, this is the “green” that breeds mosquitoes. These nasty bugs can be controlled by regular neighborhood, home and lawn maintenance, but when you have an uncontrolled infestation on your neighborhood, you may be fighting a losing battle.

So, the question is – Who is responsible for maintaining these abandoned properties? Well, it depends who you ask. Some say that it is the original homeowner (if you can locate them), some say the bank, while others say the homeowners association. The struggle is trying to find someone to step up, assume responsibility and take action.

If there is an abandoned property in your neighborhood that you are concerned about, it’s best to start by calling your county’s Code Enforcement or Neighborhood Services office to report it. If you see that, after reporting it, no action has been taken, then contact your homeowner’s association. Rally your neighbors to call both offices as well. Maybe, by receiving multiple complaints, some one will step up and take action. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, right?

Remember, if you have small children at home, you should absolutely forbid them from playing in or around these houses. Not only will they be at risk of getting bitten by a snake, diseased mosquito or other wild critter, they can also fall into these pools, or be injured by the deteriorating structure of the home.