Frustrated neighbor can click to track cleanup of eyesore next door

QUESTION: An Inglewood resident called for help with a home. She says it has numerous problems: a backyard that looks like a jungle, a pool that isn't maintained, and dilapidated outbuildings. There are also vehicles: a car up on blocks and one left for months in a driveway.
She appealed for help in getting the owners to fix up and clean up.

ANSWER: Metro Codes Department inspected the property in late September and found several violations, including high grass and weeds, inoperable vehicles in the driveway and vehicles parked on the grass as well as illegal auto repairs. Notification was sent, and the property is scheduled for reinspection this week.

People can become frustrated when it appears nothing is being done. Property owners get time to correct problems. If an owner ignores a notice of violation, Codes must then take the case to environmental court. If the property is vacant or a rental, the owner must be tracked down and notified. That can take weeks or months.

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Codes recently implemented public access to its computer system, KIVA. Anyone can look up a property to see a Codes case or building permit. The system also lets people report potential violations.

"Every person that looks it up on the Internet, that's one less call. We have a limited amount of customer time, and this will give us more time to deal with initial requests," said Bill Penn, head of the property standards division. The department will still accept cases and answer queries on the phone.

KIVA also can help people considering a neighborhood or a property.

"A neighborhood may look good, but this way you can find out if there are any issues going on. … Are folks maintaining the homes? … You know what you're getting into.

"It can help community groups: What are the real issues? That's the issue … to work on."

Building permits information is also available. If a garage is going up next door, Penn said, someone can see whether a permit has been issued. Builders can also track projects more easily, going online to check the status of permits and inspections.

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