Dilapidated Monterey Home Restored Through Receivership

A Monterey home was brought to compliance after extensive violations were found throughout the property.

Once cited as a dangerous public nuisance, a Monterey home is unrecognizable after being brought up to code by the property owner with help from a court-appointed receiver.

The City of Monterey, represented by Civica Law and Attorney, Matt Trujillo, issued an emergency Notice and Order to Repair or Abate, listing three dozen code violations, after an inspection red-tagged the property as uninhabitable due to extreme dilapidation and deterioration. The home was declared a public nuisance, posing potential safety risks, including increased fire danger to the surrounding neighborhood.

BEFORE

The inspection cited substandard building conditions, including deteriorating walls, ceilings, floors, decks, and roofing, which had caused mold to spread throughout the property. Much of the plumbing was nonfunctional, along with the appliances and the gas water heater. An accumulation of junk and trash inside the home caused significant health issues, while substandard weather protection and overgrown vegetation posed a fire danger and a potential threat to first responders.

The inspection also found an insect infestation of fleas and spiders throughout the property, which posed potential health and safety issues for the occupants and the surrounding homes.

AFTER

With the initial N&O order drawing no response from the owner, the court ordered a receivership to oversee compliance. Since then, work was done on the home to bring it up to code, eventually gaining compliance and leading to the withdrawal of the N&O. With the city receiving full cost recovery from the owner, the situation ended up being a win-win for both owner, the city, and the community as a whole!

“This was an excellent example of how proactive code enforcement and receivership can work together to protect neighborhoods, support compliance, and ultimately restore a property that had fallen into dangerous condition.”

Matt Trujillo

Attorney, Civica Law Group, APC