Despite REALTOR® objections, Round Lake Village Board approved an ordinance establishing a Foreclosure and Vacant Properties Registration Program. Local REALTOR® Governmental Affairs Director, Joe Roth, spoke to the Board during their November 19th meeting to object to the ordinance based upon fundamental flaws in the language. Roth stated that the course of action was inappropriate for the village and requested an alternative that would “meet the needs of the Village, suit the public interest, and protect the rights of homeowners.”
Registration will be required for vacant properties and properties where a lender has notified borrower of default. The registration requires contact information for the owner and a property maintenance contact, inspection by the lender within 10 days of registration and subsequent inspections every 30 days until the property is occupied again. The inspections appear to be intended to ensure the property maintains code compliance. The registration fee will be $100 and the semi-annual fees will be $300.
The Village Board sees the new ordinance as a pro-active approach to foreclosures and vacant properties by requiring the property owner to register with the Village. The Village claims numerous properties in foreclosure and vacant have required significant time and investment. A few properties have been demolished at village expense because they became so deteriorated it was not worth renovating. The Village is currently looking into two more properties for possible demolition.
At the same meeting, the Village Board adopted a resolution to approve an agreement with ProChamps, LLC to manage the new program. ProChamps is a company that would manage the registration process. They proactively research and track down properties that would be required to register. ProChamps then provides contact information for the Village to enforce the property maintenance code.
Should you have any difficulties with the program or want to learn more about REALTOR® Advocacy programs that are working to improve conditions for you and your clients, contact Joe Roth, Local Governmental Affairs Director with Illinois REALTORS®.