Manchester follows other New Jersey towns in establishing vacant property registration program
Manchester, NJ: Vacant property registration and fees are set to begin this month, following City Council resolutions reached in February to establish accountability and maintain property value.
These resolutions come in light of New Jersey continuing to be one of the states with the highest rate of foreclosures in the nation, and the safety hazards to communities that accompany unmaintained abandoned properties.
For commercial or residential properties applicable before July 1, 2016, the fee will be $750 annually. For properties after that date, the fee will be $500 annually. For all properties requiring registration after Jan. 1, 2017, the fee goes to $1,000 for the initial fee with an increase to $2,000 for the first renewal, then $3,000 for the second renewal, and $5,000 for each year thereafter.
Property owners will have 30 days from time of vacancy or 30 days from time of assuming ownership of said property to register the property, with only 10 days granted for registration if the municipality provides the notice of vacancy; failure to receive such notice not being understood to disqualify an owner from all registration requirements.
Additionally, the owners and property manager must secure the structure, post contact information on the building, and maintain the structure and grounds within city code.
Failure to adhere to the regulations will be subject to fines of $100 to $2,500 for each offense. A lien may be placed against the property should fines not be accounted for.
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