Neighbors/ Frank, Larry & Lenny. The not so neighborly neighbors!
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posted by Bob at Sunday, April 19, 2009
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Sunday, April 19, 2009
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23 Comments:
NEIGHBORS/ Frank, Larry & Lenny
Not so neighborly neighbors!
Last week an east side resident who reads the blog occasionally, emailed me with a request to visit his home so we could discuss some issues he was having with a neighbor and code enforcement. His name is Larry. I told Larry I would meet with him and a second owner of the home this coming Saturday (yesterday). In the mean time I visited the city website to see what kind of violations this home had. Then I drove by the residence for a look. The yard was trashy in a fenced in area where 2 dogs were and the grass was gone. I called Larry and told him it was real urgent he clean that trash up and I referred him to stories here at A Democracy.
I arrived at noon Saturday like I said I would, and as I pulled up I seen some men in the backyard of the home. So I walked around to the back of the house and here was this senior long bearded man (Larry the man who had called me) having some harsh words with his neighbor directly behind him across the alley.
Larry hurriedly invited me into the house for our meeting. The house is a duplex, co owned by Larry & Lenny. Larry lives upstairs with his grand daughter and great grand daughter, and Lenny lives downstairs. Larry is in the fore closure clean out business. Lenny is elderly, disabled and on oxygen.
Larry and Lenny go on to tell me of the disagreements they have been having with their neighbor for the last 3 months. They believe the neighbor has been calling code enforcement on them for the large trucks parked in the backyard that Larry used in his foreclosure clean out business. Larry told me he was also sited for trash in the yard. And now the city is requesting (if you can call it a request) an inspection of the interior of the home. A private home. The inspection notice was mailed to an address Larry hasn’t lived at in over 5 years.
Larry and Lenny were very angry with their neighbor for bringing them code enforcement trouble and making threats to them. Lenny told me he called the cops on the neighbor a few weeks back for threatening to shoot him. The police talked Lenny out of filing charges of Terroristic Threats saying the neighbor was just talking out of a drunken mouth. Larry proudly boasted I have my car parked legally on my property by the alley and that s.o.b. can’t get his boat out of his garage because he needs space on my property to get it out. Larry stated he (the neighbor) called the cops on me to move the car and they can’t do a damn thing about it because it is parked on my property! (This was the argument they were having when I arrived)
I informed Larry and Lenny I had reviewed the city website of complaints against their property and that they had on going unresolved issues with trash and parking the big trucks out back since January. Larry told me he knew the neighbor was complaining to code enforcement and he was being bullheaded and really not willing to comply. However, Larry told me he has rented storage space for the trucks when they are not in use. He understands now he cannot park these large trucks in his back yard even though it does have class 5. The trucks were not at the property Saturday and I witnessed the yard was being cleaned up when I arrived. I went on to say to Larry and Lenny that when they let their yard go it depreciates all their neighbor’s property values and no one should have to live next to a neighbor with a trashy yard just because you are having a feud with a neighbor and you want to make some kind of point. Larry said, all the neighbor had to do was tell me he didn’t like something and I would take care of it. Larry said I told him (the neighbor) I would move the trucks anytime he wanted so he could get his boat out, and he calls code on me. I said to Larry, well isn’t that kind of like having to ask you permission every time he wants to go fishing? Larry hadn’t seen it that way. All Larry could understand is his business was on a shoestring budget and he needed that space for these trucks behind his house.
I asked Larry, if I could talk to your neighbor and get him to quit calling code enforcement on you will you move that car so your neighbor can get his boat out so he can go fishing? Larry was reluctant at first but finally did agree. I asked Larry, will you end this feud with your neighbor and keep your yard clean? Larry said he would.
I went across the alley to the neighbor’s house where I found him raking his yard. I hollered with a jubilant good morning not knowing his disposition toward me since he had seen me with Larry and Lenny. I was greeted back with a good morning. So I introduced myself and asked him if I could have a word with him concerning his neighbors and he said sure. He then introduced himself as Frank ***** . I said, I understand you are having some troubles with your neighbor and I am not here to choose sides but, I can understand you would like to get your boat out of the garage to go fishing and nobody should have to live next to a property that is trashy and depletes your property value. Frank seemed almost relieved I think he thought I maybe there to threaten him. I said to Frank, you have a beautiful well kept yard. Frank said I have won awards!
Frank went on to tell me a bit about himself. He is retired, has lived in the home for over 40 years and maintains his home with pride. Frank has a yard with beautiful rock flower beds. His home is an oasis surrounded by minimal maintained rental properties.
I said to Frank. Your neighbors believe you are calling code enforcement on them and they are angry with you. Frank denied calling code enforcement and said it was just an alley sweep but later went on to admit he has called code enforcement on a number of the neighbors who do not keep their yard up or he suspects of suspicious activity.
I said to Frank, your neighbors want to get along with you they own the home and you all are going to be neighbors for a long time, if I can get Larry to move that car so you can go fishing and he keeps his yard clean will you quit calling code enforcement on them. Frank agreed and as I was shaking Franks hand the police pulled up to take Franks complaint about Larry’s car parked keeping Frank from getting his boat out of the garage. This riled Larry up but I was able to calm him and reassured him that Frank had called the police before I had spoke with him and he would tell the police we have found a resolution to the disagreements. Frank did as I expected. Larry moved the car and the police thanked me for intervening and left.
Larry’s grand daughter introduced herself to Frank and shook his hand. Larry’s grand daughter is the owner of the 2 dogs. There is a concrete slab at Larry’s for a dog kennel and Frank offered up some free fencing to her for this slab so the dogs wouldn’t ruin Larry’s grass in the future.
The olive branches have been extended by both neighbors. I pray Code Enforcement Officer Mike Ricketson rescinds his order to seek entry to a private home for inspection, and gives Larry and Lenny a fair amount of time to deal with the code issues on the exterior of their home. I intend to follow up on this issue and will work with Larry and Lenny to resolve their exterior code deficiencies. And I will probably go fishing with Frank.:)
On another note. As I was reading Larry’s and Lenny’s inspection notice, I had the impression code enforcement believes this is a rental property, IT ISN’T. It is a fully occupied duplex of owners.
I was also curious why on earth a home owner has to be outside in the front yard waiting on the code enforcement officer to arrive for an inspection. And if the home owner isn’t outside the inspector may just drive on by and access the property owner a $60 no compliance fee with possible criminal charges. It all seems kind of sicko to me. Are these inspectors so dignified and above us they can’t knock at the door of our homes. I can hear Chuck now, save’s time.
I will forward Mike Ricketson a link to this story with Larry’s address, time and date of the inspection.
Mike, I understand you did not initiate the policy of “Villagers greeting the Imperial Royalton’s of our city in their front yards”. I won’t hold that against you.:) I am also told you are a fair man. See you at the inspection of which I am assuming is the exterior of the home only.
P.S. I think a neighborhood mediation group would serve a great purpose to resolve many of these types of issues before they get out of hand. Save tax dollars on police resources, code enforcement and who knows possibly lives.
Your handling of this dispute was great Bob!! Its nice that these people can or will hopefully be friendly neighbors because of your efforts.
I think you would also be the perfect candidate to run a mediation group...
Nancy O.
We all understand how Frank felt about the condition of the neighbors property, he sounds like he works hard to beautify his yard and is proud of the Dayton Bluff area.
That's how we all should be, being proud of our neighborhood and stay friends with our neighbors is the biggest thing in this modern day.
Now Larry and Lenny can say hello to their neighbor and with a smile be greeted back.
If only St. Paul's Government could work with the people instead of against them.
Police are doing their jobs when they are called, there are times that they don't like what their bosses request them to do.
We know the mayor or city council can have you messed with, we seen that happened to Bob's lady friend that died and then her boy friend couldn't live without her and took his own life.
Best wishes to Larry and Lenny.
We thank Bob and A Democracy for caring for others, it helps spreads love in people.
Bill D.
Larry and Lenny must be Democrats. If they were Republican they would have insisted on renting space to Frank to get his boat out.
Bob, as someone who has had people on this list call out code enforcement on my house, I relate to Larry and Lenny.
Two things, first I have never seen where the code people asked a home owner to meet them outside. I wonder if you are right and they think this is a rental? Because that would make sense to ask the owner of a rental to meet them outside and not disturb the tenant until they were ready to go in.
As to the inside inspection, I got to believe it is the same thing. They must have this as a rental instead of owner occupied. To go in on an owner occupied, the conditions outside would have to be bad enough that they were concerned that someone was in jeopardy inside with potential health issues... cat lady, rodent infestation, garbage house. If it was rental they can do a code on it anytime to protect the "public" which is whoever you might rent to.
Good job with the neighbor Bob, I'll call you next time someone is hiring at a district council, because that is the kind of stuff we do all of the time... get neighbors talking to each other, and watching out for each other.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Chuck said;
Two things, first I have never seen where the code people asked a home owner to meet them outside. I wonder if you are right and they think this is a rental? Because that would make sense to ask the owner of a rental to meet them outside and not disturb the tenant until they were ready to go in.
My response;
Thanks Chuck. Makes a lot of sense.
I apologize for the "off the cuff" statements.
Thank you Nancy & Bill.
Good job Bob.
I wouldn't be so quick to judge what the cops would have done. Many times they'd rather try to sort it out between the neighbors especially if you have two willing parties.
Like Chuck said, the district councils can use someone like you who is not afraid or hesitant to go in the neighborhoods to resolve issues. However, most are resistant to someone like that.
I can think one in particular that you could make a difference on day one. However, unless there is a new exec director, you'd probably quit in frustration within a month or two.
Eric
Thanks Eric.
I wasn't assuming the police weren't there to help. I'm sure they were.
For me right from the beginning it was a touch and go situation. I arrive and Frank sees me greeting Larry and Lenny. This put me in an adversarial position with Frank who I knew I would have to talk to at some point.
I was able to work my way through Larry's accumulated anger for his neighbor and get him to reason the circumstances of the situation. I was able to work Frank through his issues and finally thought I hit a home run in bringing these neighbors together. Then the police pull up as I was standing there with Frank didn't help the situation at all! Larry and Lenny looked at it as another attack from their neighbor and possibly from me with me having spent so much time talking to Frank and to have the police arrive with me at Franks side. that is why I made it clear to Larry, Frank had called the police prior to our discussions.
I can compare the situation to juggling emotions and not letting anything drop.
It's much easier to just tear down his house and get him out of the neighborhood.
You are one in a million Bob!
Alex Wendt
"East Side Pride"
Fear? Bob surrounds himself with angry people. His friends are slumlords.
I do not know any slumlords.
Opinions, we all have one.
We need to break the ice and then we can talk and laugh together.
Police are easy to talk to when they are not on calls, because they are friendlier then people give them credit for.
In my day of volunteering I stop down at Dorothy Day Center to see if the people enjoying the meals from the Jesus Delivers Truck.
Tomorrow's menu will be roast beef or ham sandwiches', they were donated by a big catering company to feed these nice people that stops for a free meal at the Jesse Delivers Truck.
The truck is in Dorothy Day Center parking lot Tue, Thur, Sat, between 1-3 pm.
Bob know that the truck feeds the needy.
Thank you all
Billy D.
What is a slumlord, soes anyone know?
Is it all landlords? Any landlord who happens to have a code violation? Is it a landlord who's getting beat out the rent by a renter that doesn't want to pay? Is it a landlord who's being used by politicans as part of a political agenda? Is it someone we are all envious of because they have more than we do? Someone please tell me......what exactly defines a slumlord?
And also.....I forgot.....what would the homeowner equivelant of the slumlord be called?
1:57/1:59 there is nothing in common between a home owner with a problem property and a slum lord. There is also nothing in common between a decent landlord whose tenant trashed his place and a slum lord.
Being a slumlord is a particular investment strategy one chooses.
From our friends at Wikipedia:
A slumlord (also spelled slum lord) is a derogatory term for landlords, generally absentee landlords, who attempt to maximize profit by minimizing spending on property maintenance, often in deteriorating neighborhoods. They may need to charge lower than market rent to tenants. Severe housing shortages allow slumlords to charge higher rents.
The phrase slumlord first appeared in 1953, though the term slum landlord dates to 1893.[1]
Traditionally, real estate is seen as a long term investment to most buyers. Especially in the developed world, most landlords will properly maintain their properties even when doing so proves costly in the short term, in order to attract higher rents and more desirable tenants in the long run. A well-maintained property is worth more to potential buyers.
In contrast, slumlords do very little maintenance on their property (ordinarily, just enough to meet minimum local requirements for habitability), and in turn offer low rent rates to lure tenants who will not (or cannot) pay high rent (and/or who might not pass background checks should these be required to live in the higher rent areas). Slumlords of this kind typically prosecute many evictions.
It is not uncommon for slumlords to buy property with little or no down payment, and also to receive rent in cash to avoid disclosing it for tax purposes, providing lucrative short term income. (Thus, in the U.S., slumlords would normally not participate in government-subsidized programs such as Section 8, due to the requirements to report income and keep properties well-maintained.) A slumlord may also hope that his property will eventually be purchased by government for more than it is worth as a part of urban renewal, or by investors as the neighborhood becomes gentrified.
Some slumlords are more interested in profit acquired through property flipping, a form of speculation, rather than rental income. Slumlords with this "business model" may not maintain their properties at all or pay municipal property taxes and fines they tend to accrue in great quantities. Knowing it will take years for a municipality to condemn and seize or possibly raze a property, the slumlord may count on selling it before this happens. Such slumlords may not even keep up with their mortgage payments if they become equity-rich but cash-poor or if they feel they can sell the property before it goes into foreclosure and is taken by their lender, typically a 6-8 month process at the quickest.
-snip-
Got it?
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Slumlord as defined by the city:
Any targeted class landlord.
It is impossible for any rental property to meet all codes. The city arbitrarily decides who is their friends and who is their enemies. Then they write up the property with a 'code it to the max' spin, using loaded and incendiary words.
This takes attention away from how much dead wood there is among building officials.
Chcuk's definition makes a slumlord out of anyone who rents to a large % low income people.
8:44 and 9:23 you are both just wrong.
Healthy communities need investors that put money into acquiring property, maintaining it and renting it. The City's policies and staffing should support that.
The "slumlord" is an investment strategy that determines that one can buy property for little or nothing down, take revenue out of it (rent) and either sell it for more than the note is or allow it to go back to the bank.
For the better part of the last two decades this investment strategy was rewarded because the price of land was rising at rates never seen before. I have good houses on the East Side that were bought from home owners by investors and flipped TWICE without anyone even bothering to rent them in the mean time because it wasn't worth the hassle.
So, the classic "slumlord" was in great shape. He could buy with nothing down, take rent out of the property, do no repairs, wait until he lost his C of O and then sell it for more than the note. Sometimes two or three times as much as the note.
HEAVEN!
That is why the Kelly/Dawkins code efforts. They were seeing properties destroyed in neighborhoods that had always had stable land value and there was no other reason than that investment strategy.
That is why Bob created this forum to protect those that would exploit the poor. To get them thinking that the slumlord and the guy who got screwed by his tenant are the same person. Or that the seniors that can no longer care for themselves in their home want to die in a place filled with dog feces and piles of garbage and that the public health nurse is evil by trying get them out of there.
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
Bob,we need more community-active citizens like you. I salute you and STRONGLY suggest you explore more mediation work.
Mark
You're so full of crap Repke it's pitiful. Show me 1 landlord who has owned property for even 1 decade and made no repairs. Most of them make nay times the repairs that the home owners do.
10:52 - it is that you people can't read that is at least part of the problem, isn't it?
I said for the last two decades the radical increase in property values have made it possible for people to not repair their properties and flip them and make monies.
You being either an absolute idiot of not capable of reading, thinks that it means that I said that the flippers held on to the property for twenty years.
No, I'm sorry, if you don't get it, I can't help you...
JMONTOMEPPOF
Chuck Repke
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