Neighbor tires of 'baling' out brokers

Curtis wrote:

At last council meeting I proposed a city consider a ordinance that would require banks to keep up the properties. This practice is common in Cal. Other cities have passed foreclosure rules requiring water lawns, mow and keep pools from going green. Hopefully will get a proposal to full council in the summer.

pb aka pb wrote:

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Such a law will need to have some teeth, in particular the ability to rapidly place a lien on the property. However, some cities have had problems because it is difficult to figure out who the property owner actually is after a foreclosure, and proper notice must first be served.
CC&Rs frequently require property maintenance, but the only recourse is for aggrieved neighbors, not the City, to sue the property owner. Maybe the City could provide assistance for such suits. This would be helpful in other situations, as well, when the only way to enforce good behavior is through civil action on the part of neighbors enforcing CC&Rs. If the City can provide legal assistance to homeowners facing foreclosure, why can't it provide legal (or counseling) assistance to neighbors with a neighborhood nuisance covered only by CC&Rs?
Also, there are some conditions under which the City can already take action, for example if there is an accumulation of rubbish or high grass, the City can take action under the Fire Code. If the property is being used for illegal activity, the City may be able to take action under nuisance ordinances.