Measure puts more teeth into 2009 law, moves to House for final action

In regular session this afternoon, the state Senate approved legislation that updates law enacted in 2009 that helps protect municipalities from the disrepair and blight of foreclosed properties in the state of Connecticut.

The 2009 bill required a registration system to track the owners of uninhabited one-to-four family dwellings obtained by strict foreclosure or foreclosure by sale and allowed municipalities to enforce any provision of the General Statutes or any municipal ordinance on the repair or maintenance of uninhabited real estate.

“This action puts a lot more teeth into issue that is rampant in not just our state, but many other states across the country,” said Senator Duff. “The blight that many times comes along with foreclosed properties is more than unattractive. It brings down neighboring property values and leads to an increase of neighborhood crime. As we continue to cope with the foreclosure crisis in our state, this bill gives municipalities even greater opportunity to enforce blight ordinances and combat some of the negative effects that accompany foreclosure.”

Additionally, property owners would no longer be allowed to register with the Mortgage Electronic Registration System (MERS) and instead would be required to register with the local municipal town clerk.

[source: http://www.senatedems.ct.gov ]

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