Rising Number of Foreclosures Aggravate The Ill-Maintenance of the Homes

Cindy Diemer, the Lady Lake Senior Code Enforcement Officer referred to one of the foreclosed home backyards as a jungle. Numerous foreclosed homes in the towns having big lawns with reckless growth of grasses and weeds is causing a lot of trouble.

There are many such lawns and backyards which do not have any owners at present. In fact, Lady Lake has kept away some money for the payment of the contractors for the maintenance of the lawns as their owners have failed to agree to the ‘code enforcement notices’.

According to Lady Lake, the city is attempting to get an ordinance which would need the owners like banks to enroll their foreclosed properties along with the town. Lady Lake being the only municipality, inclusive of being one among the very few in the state which pursued this ordinance.

Diemer commented about the home foreclosures that, “It’s a tough situation for people all across the country. Anything we can do to help preserve our community we should undertake.”

Diemer further observed that when they find any foreclosed property that is abandoned the list will surely help at that point of time to recognize the owner of the homes and the lawns.

There has been an expansion in the rate of residential foreclosed properties. In fact, the number of properties being foreclosed during 2007 has literally doubled in 2008. Moreover, it seems that, the foreclosure records of 2009 might just supersede the figures of 2008. By the month of June, this year the residential foreclosures have increased to 2,964 and all these homes have been enrolled with the Circuit Court in the Lake County Clerk.

The money that has been kept aside in the general fund of the town is meant for the payment of the contractors for the trimming and clearing the lawns. However, according to Diemer, the amount of the funds is in the process of reduction. Currently, Diemer is involved in drafting an ordinance following on the lines of the ordinances which were passed in counties of Broward and Lee. She stressed that, “It has been extremely successful. We’re tailoring it to our specific needs.”

Ron Collodi, chief code enforcement officer observes that the Lake County mostly keeps itself to cutting down any property at least twice per year. However, this doesn’t help to change the situations, especially for the neighbors who face a lowering of value in their properties.

Collodi further emphasized, “It’s a problem getting a foreclosed property mowed. It’s a definite budget drainer.”

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