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It’s a common theme to see properties stuck in probate, owned by unreachable heirs, or occupied by vulnerable individuals. These properties can end up spiraling into disrepair, becoming a drain on city resources and a threat to surrounding neighborhoods. Cities can respond proactively by leveraging court-appointed receiverships, which place control in the hands of neutral professionals empowered to stabilize and restore these properties.

Nuisance and dilapidated properties often place a significant burden on public safety agencies. Fire departments responding to incidents at vacant or unsafe structures can incur thousands of dollars per call, depending on the severity and resources required. These costs cover personnel time, apparatus use, equipment wear, and liability risk. Repeated calls due to fires, squatting, overdoses, or hazardous conditions can result in annual emergency response costs of thousands of dollars in high-impact areas, overwhelming city resources that could be directed toward other areas. The receivership remedy offers cities a structured way to intervene before these costs spiral further. By appointing a receiver to handle the work under court supervision, abatement costs come out of the property’s equity rather than burdening the city’s resources or taxpayers.