On Thursday, Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (R,C,I,Ref-Niagara Falls) joined local leaders at the Niagara Falls Conference & Event Center to discuss an issue that has become prevalent across New York State: Zombie Properties. The term Zombie Property is used to describe a property that is in between the first incident of default and completion of the appropriate process, and is usually left unattended and unmaintained. At the seminar, Morinello spoke with residents and government officials from towns and cities in Western New York about how to combat these properties that have become eyesores for communities throughout the state.

“The Zombie Property laws in this state are complicated, however, understanding them is critical in order to prevent these properties from becoming burdens in one’s community,” said Morinello. “The passage of the Foreclosure Relief Act of 2016 has granted protections to New York’s residents and given them the ability to hold banks accountable. Nobody wants to have their community blemished by unkempt properties, and now we have the tools necessary to combat Zombie Properties.”