CONDEMNED & ABANDONED

Selling a Condemned & Abandoned House

Property Tax

There're codes to identify whether a house can be labeled as condemned depending on whether it is uninhabitable for humans. It protects tenants and the public from hazardous living conditions. An example of a condemned house might be an owner who struggles with severe hoarding. If a house does not meet these guidelines, the local Board of Health may cite the homeowner for a code violation, which then identifies the property as a condemned house.

Code Violations

Many rental property owners may not be fully aware of what code violations they must adhere to. If you own a rental property, please take the time to read over the list below, as it can help you identify which code you must adhere to before you are cited due to a code violation:

Kitchen: Every unit should contain a kitchen sink, stove, oven, & proper space to install a refrigerator.
Bathroom: Unit(s) should also include a toilet, sink (separate from the kitchen), exhaust fans, & bathtub or shower.
Supply of Drinkable Water: Potable Water, approved by the Board of Health, must be sufficiently provided in both quantity & pressure. Hot water must be maintained between 110 to 130 degrees Fahrenheit.
Heating: The central heating system must be installed to cover all rooms. Space heaters & similar equipment are prohibited.
Light Fixture plus Natural Light: Rooms to include 2 outlets, at least 1 window with provided screens, & sufficient lighting. Bathrooms must have light fixtures.
The obligation of Maintenance: Owner responsible to maintain all appliances installed in the unit(s), exterminate an infestation of insects, pest, and rodents, plus implement an integrated pest management plan for rental properties with 4 or more units.
Asbestos and Lead Paint: Remove all asbestos materials when found in the unit(s). Plus, lead paint is prohibited if children under 6 years old occupied unit(s).
Mold: Remove all signs of mold in each unit.
Metering of Utilities: Unless separately metered and billed, the owner must provide tenants with gas or oil, plus electric service.
Minimum Square Footage: 150 sq ft for the 1st tenant, no less than 100 sq ft for secondary occupants, ceilings must not be less than 7feet, and bedrooms with 70 sq ft for 1st occupant and 50 sq ft for other occupants.
Egress, Snow and Ice Removal: Keep all means of egress free from any obstruction, including snow and ice.
Door Locks: Locks must be installed on every door in the property. The front entrance door of a 3 unit property must have an automatic locking system.
Smoke and CO2 Detectors: Adhere to the state fire code pertaining to smoke and carbon monoxide detector installation.
Railings: Safe handrails on every stairway must be provided
Inspections for Code Violations: If an oral or written complaint is filed by a rental property occupant, code allows the local Board of Health inspectors to inspect any/all unit(s).

What is an Abandoned House?

An abandoned house is similar but yet different than a condemned building. Let’s say if you own a home, and you already know that you are responsible for everything about the property; from paying utility bills to mowing your lawn. Maintenance of a home is like getting a tuneup for your car, if you do not keep up with it, sooner or later small problems become bigger. But, unlike a car, a home is not as easy to replace or fix.

For many homeowners, there are times when the responsibility of homeownership can become very stressful. It is so overwhelming, that homeowners decide to just get up and move out, essentially abandoning their home. By vacating the property, without an owner present to keep up with the maintenance demands, the house turns into an abandoned building. With no one to take care of it, it is then vulnerable to vandalism, damage or uninvited wild animals or guest.

Abandoned Housing Act

When a homeowner abandons their property, signs of an abandoned building become clear. Below are just some examples of what old abandoned houses may look like:

Overgrown grass
Leaves piled up
Roof shingles coming apart
Broken door hinges
Excessive accumulation of mail

If you live in Missouri and own an old abandoned house, you need to be aware of the Abandoned Housing Act. They were formed to address the issue of unclaimed properties.

DAMAGED

HOARDING