Vainieri Huttle, Reynolds-Jackson Measure Requiring Registration of Vacant and Abandoned Properties Released by Assembly Panel

Legislation Establishes Enforcement Tools to Maintain Properties

(TRENTON) – To help ensure that communities can enjoy their home’s surroundings, a bill that would require the responsible parties of vacant and abandoned properties to register them in the municipality where they are located was released by the Assembly Housing and Community Development Committee Thursday.

The measure (A-2877) includes enforcement tools to help ensure that the properties are properly maintained and allows municipalities to hold those parties accountable.

Assembly Democrats Valerie Vainieri Huttle (D-Bergen) and Reynolds-Jackson  (D-Hunterdon, Mercer) are sponsors of the legislation and released the following joint statement:

“Whether a single or multi-family home, a modest dwelling or a mansion, properties that are well-maintained help instill a sense of pride in our communities and make them more inviting. There truly is ‘no place like home’—especially when home is pleasant visually.

“Yet when properties and lots are abandoned and not maintained, they become an eyesore to the community, bring down property values, and are a source of stress to those who must see them daily.

“This measure will help ensure that the parties responsible for such nuisances are held accountable, take corrective action and are fined accordingly when they fail to do so.”