Two recent articles discuss new strategies pertaining to fires, and the associated costs to local government, at vacant and abandoned properties.
Winnipeg (Canada)
Newly proposed legislation in Winnipeg (Canada) proposes that owners of vacant properties would be charged for fires that are likely caused by squatters (not from unrelated arson, natural disaster, or collision from a vehicle) who reside in improperly secured vacant buildings.
Clear intent is to incent owners to expeditiously return the properties to productive use.
To view an article and video segment from Winnipeg City News please click here.
Gloversville NY
Gloversville is now requiring the owners of buildings destroyed from fire damage to either reimburse the city the cost for demolishing the structures or turn their ownership over to the city.
For more information, please click here.