Dilapidated Union City Home Gets Reborn Thanks to Receivership

With help from Civica Law, the court brings a neglected Union City home up to code.

A severely neglected Union City home, located just steps from a scenic waterfront park, has been transformed thanks to the efforts of a court-appointed receiver and Civica Law Group attorneys Sean Morrissey and Natalie Sahagún.

The case began after concerned neighbors reported the deteriorating condition of the property, including large amounts of trash and debris that had spilled onto the public sidewalk and right-of-way. In response, the City of Union City inspected to assess the situation firsthand.

What inspectors discovered was alarming: nearly every area of the property was filled with junk, debris, and hazardous conditions. The home itself was deemed "manifestly unsafe" due to severely deteriorating walls and floors. Inspectors found holes in the drywall, damaged doors, missing window screens, deteriorated fascia, and extensive dry rot around the garage.

As a result, the City issued a Notice and Order to Repair or Abate, citing nearly three dozen code violations and nuisance conditions, including:

• Inadequate sanitation and plumbing, including improperly installed toilets covered in filth
• Hazardous and unsanitary living conditions, including insect and spider infestations and bird droppings throughout the home
• Blocked ingress and egress routes that posed safety risks to occupants and emergency responders
• Dead and overgrown vegetation that created a fire hazard for neighboring properties

The property owner was given ten days to begin correcting the violations. When no action was taken, the Court appointed a receiver to bring the property into compliance.

The rehabilitation process began with the removal of massive amounts of debris, followed by a complete renovation of the home. Once structural repairs were completed, the property underwent a dramatic transformation. New flooring, fixtures, and appliances were installed, while damaged drywall, doors, and the deteriorated garage door were replaced.

Today, the home is virtually unrecognizable from the condition inspectors originally encountered. With the City achieving full cost recovery from the property owner and a once-blighted property restored to the neighborhood, this case demonstrates the powerful role that code enforcement plays in protecting public safety and revitalizing communities.

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Legal Disclaimer: This blog provides updates and insight on current municipal legislation and is not intended as legal advice. For specific legal advice related to hoarding house compliance assistance or any other municipal law issues, please contact Civica Law directly.