Warren, MI asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Michigan

Q: is there anything I can do about a blighted property? the city wont act. can I go over there head?

1 Lawyer Answer
Kenneth V Zichi
Kenneth V Zichi
Answered
  • Real Estate Law Lawyer
  • Fowlerville, MI
  • Licensed in Michigan

A: "Over their head"? Who would you expect to go to if the city won't act? The State? The Federal Government? A Supreme Being?

You can certainly take some 'out of the box' steps. Why not offer the owner a reasonable amount of money to buy the blighted property and then YOU will be the owner with power to fix it? Or maybe that isn't in the financial cards.

If the City blight people won't deal with things, maybe the City Council would want to know about that? (Is that what you meant by going over their head?) As a city taxpayer you certainly have the right to address the council! I don't know that I'd consider that 'going over their head' but there is certainly nothing wrong with that.

If the City Council isn't interested, perhaps the press would take notice? "Four on your side" or the local paper etc might find it an interesting story to pursue.

There are LOTS of things you can do -- most of them within the social system rather than the legal one, but don't be afraid to think outside the box. Just don't do anything illegal!

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