WSVN — To many of you, it’s home sweet home, but imagine if the house next to you was a run-down, dilapidated mess, and for years you couldn’t do anything about it. Are you stuck living next to the eyesore. It’s why one South Florida man called Help Me Howard with Patrick Fraser.

When Bill Fritsch was looking for a place to raise his family, one thing caught his eye in Coral Springs.

Bill Fritsch: “The neighborhoods were all nice. They were pretty strict on keeping the homes up, which we liked.”

Every home in the neighborhood was nice, but not anymore.

Bill Fritsch: “We wake up to an eyesore.”

When Bill walks out of his home every morning, this is what he sees next door: a property that has been run-down for years.

Bill Fritsch: “We have seen cats, possums, raccoons coming in and out. We kind of got used to it over the years now, but it’s to the point where something should be done. It’s getting ridiculous.”

Ridiculous, but not in a funny way. Back in 2002, Coral Springs cited the owner for health and building code violations.

In 2012, when the Unsafe Structures Board ordered the homeowner to either fix the deteriorating house or demolish it, Bill says the owner did neither as she continued to live there.

Bill Fritsch: “I don’t think she was indigent by any means. She was working every day, seemed to have a nice job, a professional job.”

It was bad, and now it’s worse, literally falling apart after the owner moved and left it empty.

Bill Fritsch: “It’s been abandoned for at least a year now.”

There is a green pool in the backyard full of dirty water, but no fence around it.

Bill Fritsch: “I had to shoo kids away, 7, 8, 9-year-old kids that are trying to sneak in to see what’s in this house.”

Of course, Bill has complained to the City of Coral Springs for years and years.

Bill Fritsch: “Numerous emails, calls. Actually, I know the code enforcement officer personally now because she’s been out so many times.”

The city has cited the owner of the property 66 times. The fines now total in the millions, but the city says, since the owner had a homestead exemption, that’s all they can do.

Bill Fritsch: “Basically, if the owner does not do it, the city’s hands are tied. Does this go on forever? At what point do we do something? You say your hands are tied. Does that mean I’m going to live with this until I retire?”

We did a little research. Surprisingly, the house has no mortgage. It’s free and clear. The property taxes are paid and the homestead exemption was taken away, opening the door for the city to step in.

But nothing has changed, and guess who that hurts.

Bill Fritsch: “My property value has suffered being next to this. If I was going to try to sell today, I can imagine I’d have a horrendous time.”

Would you want to live next to this? I doubt it.

Bill Fritsch: “There’s got to be a point where somebody can do something.”

Well, Howard, for years Bill has been told nothing can be done. True or false?

Howard Finkelstein: “If this house has a homestead exemption, the city is limited in what they can do. But since the homestead exemption has expired, the city can foreclose on the property and sell it or demolish it. They do not have to do that, but legally they can do that. It’s the city’s choice.”

I tried to contact the property owner. Her number has been disconnected.

When we first spoke to Coral Springs, we were told, “It is not the city’s intention to foreclose at this time.”

I couldn’t figure out why, and talked to Deputy City Manager Jennifer Bramley. She then told me what Bill wanted to hear. The homestead exemption was removed in February, and city officials will now meet next week to move the property to what’s called the “actionable property list.” That will allow the city to foreclose on the property and demolish the dilapidated house.

The city is also going to put up something to block kids from going near the pool.

Bill Fritsch: “You guys have done an outstanding job.”

Bill has tried to get something done with this house for 10 years. Now things will get done.

Bill Fritsch: “All I can say is, thanks, Help Me Howard.”

Glad Bill will be getting that eyesore out of his way. Of course, it takes time, probably six months at a minimum, to go through the process to foreclose and demolish the house. But the good news for Coral Springs: They will own the property, and can sell the lot for about $80,000. We will keep an eye on this and let you know how things work out.

Troubles tearing you down? Ready to demolish the headache? Lien on us. We will try to be a good neighbor and bulldoze your eyesore for you.

With this Help Me Howard, I’m Patrick Fraser, 7News.

CONTACT HELP ME HOWARD:
Email: helpmeHoward@wsvn.com
Reporter: Patrick Fraser at pfraser@wsvn.com
Miami-Dade: 305-953-WSVN
Broward: 954-761-WSVN
On Twitter: @helpmehoward7

Copyright 2024 Sunbeam Television Corp. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox