In response to the lingering zombie property epidemic in New York State, Assemblyman Karl Brabenec (R,C,I-Deerpark) is supporting several bills which would help municipalities better track and document foreclosed homes and abandoned properties. The bills, A.4842, A.4152 and A.9394, would mandate that banks and plaintiffs in foreclosure hearings act in good faith and provide contact and location information for properties set to be foreclosed.

“Zombie and abandoned properties are an issue I have been fighting since my time as Deerpark Town Supervisor,” Brabenec said. “No one ever wants to have their home foreclosed upon, but in that scenario it best benefits the locality and its residents to document and track the status of these properties so we can ensure they stay well maintained and suitable for occupancy in the future. Too often, we see banks shirk on their responsibility to maintain the properties they own after foreclosure, or they do not properly document them, which results in them becoming overrun with vermin, squatters and subject to vandalism. The whole purpose of these bills is to remove the eyesores from our communities and give more families the opportunity to own homes.”