New Bedford cracks down on problem properties
By Dana Griffin
@DanaGriffinABC6
For years, absentee landlords have been an issue for the city.
Mayor Jon Mitchell recently signed the ordinance and says run–down homes have invited in people with criminal pasts, putting a burden on the neighbors and the police department.
“At some point after one call after another, after another, after another you have to look to the landlord and say- what are you doing to make this place better not just for your tenants but also for the neighborhood- and I don’t think that’s asking too much,” said Mitchell.
One of the problem areas that helped bring about the ordinance was a home that at one point it averaged 100 police calls a year, including one call for an alligator that was being kept inside.
After eight valid complaints at a property within one year, the landlord will have to pick up the tab to pay the police officer’s wage for time spent at every additional incident.
There are exemptions. If you call to report crimes like a home break-in or domestic violence, it won’t count against the landlord.
If a property is declared a problem the owner has to go 12 months without an incident to get a clean slate.
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