Gloucester Township Council Makes Move On Abandoned Properties

Gloucester Township, NJ -- Gloucester Township Council ook the first step on an ordinance that deals with abandoned homes and vacant properties in the township at its Sept. 26 meeting.

Council unanimously approved an ordinance on introduction to amend township ordinance to allow for the rehabilitation of homes deemed to be abandoned.

The ordinance spells out what needs to happen for a home to be determined abandoned. It falls in line with the New Jersey Abandoned Property Rehabilitation Act.

According to the act, any property that has not been legally occupied for a period of six months and which meets any one of the following additional criteria may be deemed to be abandoned property:

• The property is in need of rehabilitation in the reasonable judgment of the public officer, and no rehabilitation has taken place during that six-month period;
• Construction was initiated on the property and was discontinued prior to completion, leaving the building unsuitable for occupancy, and no construction has taken place for at least six months as of the date of a determination by the public officer pursuant to this section;
• At least one installment of property tax remains unpaid and delinquent on that property as of the date of a determination by the public officer; or
• The property has been determined to be a nuisance by the public officer.

The public officer who would make that determination in Gloucester Township is Business Administrator Tom Cardis, who also serves as Public Works Director.

Once a property is deemed abandoned, the township can file a summary action in Camden County Superior Court to take possession, but not ownership, of the property for the purposes of rehabilitation.

The Gloucester Township Housing Authority will oversee the rehabilitation of the properties.

As the lien holder, the township would use its own money to rehabilitate the property.

The house would then be sold at market value, at which point the the township is reimbursed for any expenses related to the rehabilitation of the home. Any difference in the sale price and money spent on rehabilitation would go to the homeowner.

The township will identify the houses based on phone calls from residents and on-site inspections.

“This can be expensive. Don’t expect too much too soon,” Gloucester Township Councilman Dan Hutchison said. “I’d rather see them move slowly. Identify some easy targets and then build momentum.”

Council will next meet on Wednesday, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. at the municipal building.

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