My Vacant House Project

[FairHamilton]

I've started this thread to document "My Vacant House Project" or MVHP.

There's a house 2 doors up on our street which is vacant. I have no idea how long it's been empty (someone on the street mentioned 15 years), but it's really starting to show a decline in it's health as a house.

It's really unfortunate, because the homes on the street are very nice, built to last and have have lot of character with unique/desirable features like pocket doors, butler staircases, hardwood on 1st & 2nd floors, etc. This house is the big blemish on our part of the street.

I wanted to start my project by heading to the tax office to find out who owns the house. I thought the best first step would be to contact the owner, and ask their plans/intentions for the house. But now I've now modified that plan.

Last night after watching a raccoon access the house through a hole in the rear roof (something I suspected was happening, but hadn't observed), I decided I needed launch some bylaw violation complaints right away.

Today, I sent my councillor Bernie Morelli the following letter:

Dear Bernie,

I’m writing to request your assistance in learning how to officially report a violation to the City of Hamilton’s Property Maintenance and Standards bylaw. The violation I'd like to report pertains to a vacant house in my neighbourhood.

On the evening of Sunday May 25, 2008 while sitting on our deck my wife and I observed a raccoon entering through a hole in the building’s rear roof. It’s my understanding that would be a violation of: Bylaw 04-281, Property Maintenance and Standards, Section 8(2) (b) Exteriors of buildings shall be: be maintained to prevent the entry of vermin and birds.

I look forward to your assistance in learning how to properly report this bylaw violation, with the goal of having this issue properly resolved. Please feel free to contact me at your earliest convenience.