How to handle Valley slumlords

I would like to expand upon Lucio Avila’s letter of Feb. 8 I agree that Fresno needs to hold slumlords responsible for failing to meet their responsibilities as property owners. Why are these negligent owners allowed to get away with not paying fines and not fixing their properties?

What good are fines if the city has no method to collect the fines and enforce the property laws? This negligence causes further reduction in neighboring property values and is dangerous as squatters and drug users move in to inhabit the properties.

Fresno should adopt rules that give property owners a fixed period of time, perhaps three months, to bring their property into code compliance. If they comply, all fines are forgiven. If they fail to comply the city can confiscate the property, make needed repairs, put the property up for sale or keep it as a rental.

If the structure is too far gone, it should be leveled and the land used for community gardens or sold to a developer. This solution would add teeth to property ordinances, clean up blight and provide a stream of income for Fresno.

This story was originally published February 9, 2016 at 5:49 AM with the headline "How to handle Valley slumlords."