Pennsylvania Statewide Rule
Pennsylvania Blighted Property Conservatorship Act Statewide
Key Facts
- Statute
- Act 135 of 2008
- Citation
- 68 P.S. Sec. 1101
- Vacancy required
- 12 months
- Petitioner radius
- 2,000 feet
Summary
Pennsylvania's Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act allows neighbors and nonprofits statewide to petition courts for conservator appointments.
In addition to any other remedy available at law or in equity, a municipality may institute the following actions against the owner of any real property that is in serious violation of a code or for failure to correct a condition which causes the property to be regarded as a public nuisance: (1) (i) An in personam action may be initiated for a continuing violation for which the owner takes no substantial step to correct within six months following receipt of an order to correct the violation, unless the order is subject to a pending appeal before the administrative agency or court.
Full Breakdown
Pennsylvania's Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act (Act 135 of 2008, 68 P.S. Sec. 1101 et seq.) creates a statewide framework allowing parties in interest, including neighbors within 2,000 feet and nonprofit corporations, to petition the Court of Common Pleas to appoint a conservator over blighted, vacant residential or non-residential property. The court must find the property has been vacant 12 months, is dangerous, and the owner has failed to maintain it. Conservators can rehabilitate, lease, sell, or take title with priority over existing liens.
Violations & Penalties
Owners losing conservatorship cases pay rehabilitation costs and may forfeit title. Failure to act on court orders results in conservator sale and lien priority.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can neighbors fix a blighted Pennsylvania property?
What qualifies a property as blighted in Pennsylvania?
Sources
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