New Evesham ordinance holds banks, lienholders accountable for unkempt properties

Banks and lienholders of the abandoned properties peppered throughout Evesham Township will be held financially accountable for the dilapidated and unkempt homes.

On Tuesday, Sept. 16, Mayor Brown and council unanimously adopted an ordinance that would hold bank-owned abandoned properties responsible for the care, maintenance, security, and upkeep of the exterior of the residential property.

“This amended ordinance allows the township, with proper notice to the creditor, obligated to care for the property, and to fine the creditor if they do not correct a violation stated in the notice within 30 days,” Nancy Jamanow said, Director of Community Development. “Prior ordinances did not have a time frame associated with correcting the violation on the property. The fine can be assessed for each day that the violation is not addressed. This gives the township a lot more power to get the properties cleaned up.”

The concern of the dilapidated homes falls on the banks, which is the target of the ordinance.

Failure to comply would mean a fine of up to $1,500 daily. Current homeowners falling behind on upkeep would not receive the same penalty. Those failing to maintain their home can expect multiple warnings, a $100 fine and a court summons.