Lynne Page Snyder from NASCSP, the National Association for State Community Services Programs, spoke about “weatherization plus health” at the Springfield conference. Funds from the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance […]
Building Codes / Code Enforcement / Foreclosure / Politics / property maintenance / rental inspections
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Healthy homes conference Part 2
When I am in court, my focus is on the safety of the building that is the subject of my prosecution. I don’t know that I’ve paid that […]
Building Codes / Code Enforcement / property maintenance
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Healthy homes conference Part 1
This week I was a speaker at the 2011 Lead Poisoning Prevention Conference in Springfield, IL that was about so much more than lead poisoning. It was really […]
Code Enforcement / Foreclosure / Politics / Politics and building codes / property maintenance
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Fewer inspectors, more problem properties
One of the very unfortunate consequences of the economic downturn is the layoff of code enforcement personnel. Peoria, Illinois is facing the layoff of about 1/3 of its […]
Building Codes
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Plan review isn’t always enough
A ten year old structure in Oregon called Courthouse Square is now abandoned due to structural defects. An article in the Statesman Journal discusses how this came about […]
Building Codes / Code Enforcement / Court cases
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The consequences of building without a permit
The Virginia-Pilot has a story about a person who built a 2 story structure without a permit and was finally found out by the building department. Despite the fact […]
Code Enforcement / Foreclosure / property maintenance
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Demolition One Solution to Foreclosed Homes
NPR did a story yesterday on how some banks have decided to demolish foreclosed properties in Cleveland and give the land to local government for its land bank […]
Building Codes / Code Enforcement / Court cases / Fire Prevention / property maintenance / rental inspections
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Illegal basement bedroom leads to tragedy
Persons who do work without a permit or allow bedrooms in basements that are in violation of the building code risk more than fines. In a tragic case […]
Code Enforcement / Fire Prevention / Foreclosure / Ordinances / Politics and building codes / property maintenance
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Banks Leave Property in Limbo
The Chicago Tribune has taken on lenders over the devastation that has befallen neighborhoods while they sit back and let property deteriorate. I’ve noticed a phenomenon in my […]
Code Enforcement / Fire Prevention / Liability / property maintenance
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Insurance company denies coverage in fire
Insurance companies can be allies in the fight for life/safety compliance. They have considerable power over property. If persons insured by the companies don’t live up to the […]