Blight Beat: Ypsilanti Township home infested with bugs, rodents to be clean soon
The cleanup process has begun on an Ypsilanti Township home that neighbors say has become an insect and rodent sanctuary.
The house, at 1269 Lester Street, has been vacant for over a year. The family living in the home abruptly moved out and left their belongings behind.
Officials are hopeful this Lester Avenue home will soon be cleaned and cleared of debris and rodents.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
The house also is infested with mold and is littered with the family’s belongings that were left behind.
The house is owned by Bank of America. Representatives of a company hired to clear and maintain the property told township officials they were planning to remove all the debris from the home and secure it but wanted to have the home exterminated before working there.
“It sounds as though they are trying to take it seriously, but the crew decided the wiser thing was to exterminate the place first,” said Ron Fulton, the township's building director. “If they continue that kind of cooperation, it will probably mean we won't go forward in court.”
Fulton said he hopes to see the property cleaned and cleared within the next week.
Comments
Captain Magnificent
Fri, Aug 31, 2012 : 4:55 p.m.
This is just more Obama and his socialist nanny-state if you ask me. It's the property of the bank, they can take care of it however they see fit. Since when does the government get to tell me how to maintain the inside of my home? These liberals are unbelievable.
Craig Lounsbury
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 3:26 p.m.
I wonder if that motorcycle in the yard has moved in the last 48 hours?
jns131
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 8:38 p.m.
Actually that is called art. Something to spruce up the neighborhood. Maybe?
dading dont delete me bro
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
there's a nosey neighborhood lady that lives nearby. i'm surprised she didn't turn this in a long time ago. she's always been worried about the vacant houses in her immediate area.
jns131
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.
Please call WCSD and the township if you suspect this type of bight. They will pounce on it and try to save the house if need be and turn it over to Habitat for Humanity to restore or tear down to foundation and rebuild. Lets not turn a blinds eye to this type of stuff.
catfishrisin
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 2:56 p.m.
More neighbors need to step up and not only leave it to the nosy neighborhood lady.
Silly Sally
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 11:08 a.m.
I'm surprised that the owner, in this case the bank, didn't inspect the home as soon as the people moved out. They would have saved a lot. Didn't they winterize it or have someone keep the heat at 40 degrees F? If not They were lucky we had a warm winter. If they did, they not report all the food and junk? Tenants must take some responsibility for building issues. Far too many will see a leaking toilet and say nothing until the ceiling below it has rotted out (black mold) and other examples. This is one reason why neighborhoods prefer homeowners who usually care more. Some tenants are great, but then others... Ditto for landlords. SOme are wonderful, then the slumlord from Ypsi, Mr. K.
OLDTIMER3
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 1:45 p.m.
Try to get rid of a bad renter and see how long it takes.@ LISA if I were to buy a house and rent it out why would the bank be involved?
Barb's Mom
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 12:52 p.m.
"I'm surprised that the owner, in this case the bank, didn't inspect the home as soon as the people moved out. "--Sally the people moved out suddenly, if they were buying the home, the bank wouldn't know until months later that they were gone. My daughter was murdered in her home 21 months ago and the bank is still going through foreclosure procedures. They could not even start procedings until after her mortgage was more than 6 months behind and then had to offer more options for another 6 months. If they can't find the people they can't do this.
Lisa
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 10:42 a.m.
I hope all cities inspectors start taking these issues more seriously and violating and fine these slumlords and owners of these homes. AS I sit with my little boy that became extremely ill and 4 surgeries later. A slumlord held non accountable for black mold beyond a health hazard to humans and animals I too had to leave and throw my belongings away and still suffering from the mold . The slumlords get a slap on the hand and Good Bye Judge Creal thank goodness your gone you could of cared less not even allowing tenants there security deposits back. The landlords feel they are above the law, are privileged to lie under oath/I do not blame these people for walking away. There is no system in place or law for these kinds of catastrophic events that leave tenants and owners helpless.The bank does not care if you have a serious situation they want there money they don't care about your health. Then The landlord comes in to continually profit off the insurance claims and we are left once again helpless, hopeless and broke.There needs to be a new policy put into effect with great fines and repercussions for these issues.
stevek
Tue, Aug 28, 2012 : 4:30 p.m.
Lisa--you are wrong. How about all the renters who trash a completely good house, don't maintain the yard and leave all their crap behind (which this family did). This isn't the landlord's fault.