Number Of Empty Houses Skyrockets
06/23/2008 06:07:43
CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (AP) -- The rise in home foreclosures in northeast Ohio means more than just empty homes.
Grass lawns left to grow wild are worrying neighbors and straining municipal budgets as cities take on clean up costs to keep neighborhood values from declining.
Cuyahoga County treasurer Jim Rokakis says maintaining vacant properties isn't just a problem in Cleveland. He says it's also an issue in Cleveland suburbs like Westlake. Many communities are issuing warnings and following that up with a clean-up crew and a bill for $200.
Earlier this month, Gov. Ted Strickland signed a measure that requires the swift recording of deeds after foreclosure and sheriff's sales. With that, cities will be able to more easily figure out who is responsible for overgrown lawns.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
APTV-06-23-08 0130EDT
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