Posted by Kristine-CA on October 13, 2006 at 13:53:34:
Where I am it’s called red-tagging. The house is very rarely
condemned–in those instances the city or county will go through the
legal procedures to demolish those properties, for public safety.
The reason that municipalities “condemn” so many vacant properties is
to make it illegal if you do enter–just like the city officer said–so that
the cops can give tickets and or remove people, no matter who they
are.
I’ve worked with plenty of such properties and the neighbors and I both
wish the cops would show up! Vacant properties, even boarded ones,
are always broken into where I am. And half the time there are people
living in them. I would have no trouble explaining to the cops what I
was doing–inspecting. But that doesn’t mean that they couldn’t give
me a ticket or haul me away if they chose.
The city officer gave you a choice: fix the violations to remove the
condemnation rating or break the law. Nobody here knows the
chances of the cops showing up. Nobody here can advise you. Do
what makes sense for you. Kristine
Posted by Brian_wa on October 13, 2006 at 10:44:34:
The house I’m trying to buy has been condemned by the city due to the lack of electricity and gas. The owner failed to pay for the utility bills basically.
I contacted the city officer in charged of this and she informed me that she cannot allow me to enter without me or the owner somehow getting the electricity and gas turned back on. I could enter but basically if the cops were to show up, it would be at the discretion of the cops as to what to do with me and the owner.
The notice posted on the door states that “one cannot occupy or reside in this property”. Certainly I’m going in there just for inspection purposes.
Have anybody experienced this before? Should I enter the house anyway? What’s the chance of me being arrested by the cops?
Posted by Marc Donovan on October 14, 2006 at 06:55:11:
Don’t know about Washington, but in Florida, if the owner empties a magazine into your back, its tough breaks. The cops haul off the body and the owner reloads and waits for the next victim. Does not matter what kind of tags are on the door.
If you get caught in there, it’s 60 days in jail if vacant. If someone is in the place - don’t matter if its the neighborhood crack head - its 1 year. Carry a weapon into there and its 5 years in the slammer (plus the neighbors are allowed to imprison you until the po-lice show up). Your laws are probably similar.
Re: entering a condemned house - Posted by Redline
Posted by Redline on October 13, 2006 at 15:11:32:
What Kristine said it absolutely correct.
What I have done in these instances is, talk to the neighbors if they are around. Let them know who you are and why you’re there. If they think you might actually add something positive to the situation you should be fine.
It’s always good to look professional too … a big Mag Light flashlight, a camera and a clipboard always helps impress … lol
The way I look at it is … if the neighbors don’t call the cops on you, the chances of them showing up are slim and none.