Meth house - We can't sell next to it

[praevalesco]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Colorado

A neighbor has a meth. lab down the street that the police have identified and arrested him for. He is through criminal litigation and has been found guilty. The house is now boarded and has police tape and notifications all over it that the neighbor needs to have it cleaned and certified. He has not and refuses to. He has a court date scheduled for May 10th but the house has been boarded for months. I suspect this problem will drag on.

My house is for sale 3 homes down. I recently had an offer walk on my house listing the lab as a reason. Is there any civil action I can take against my neighbor for loss of home value? I anticipate we may have to sell well below market value.

 

[Philxxxx]

You mean you had a bonafide bid on your house & the buyer wanted to back out due to illegal activity down the block? You let them?

Granted, its not going to help you get bids.... but I dont see any actionable claim against the meth user/maker/dealer ...

 

[praevalesco]

No their agent told us directly that the only reason they did not put in a bid was the home.

 

[John_DFW]

There is no quick solution. The city inspectors can determine if this is a code compliance issue and can take action, but I assume this is what the court case is about?

 

[Silverplum]

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? Colorado

A neighbor has a meth. lab down the street that the police have identified and arrested him for. He is through criminal litigation and has been found guilty. The house is now boarded and has police tape and notifications all over it that the neighbor needs to have it cleaned and certified. He has not and refuses to. He has a court date scheduled for May 10th but the house has been boarded for months. I suspect this problem will drag on.

My house is for sale 3 homes down. I recently had an offer walk on my house listing the lab as a reason. Is there any civil action I can take against my neighbor for loss of home value? I anticipate we may have to sell well below market value.

You were going to have to sell well below market value, anyway. Million-dollar homes are selling for $600K, and the prices have gone drastically down in every price level.

I don't know how you can pin this entirely upon your meth-cookin' neighbors.

 

[praevalesco]

If you pull comps for my area and neighborhood there is an average sale price. We set our value to reflect this sale price which is backed my many home sales in the area. I realize there are other market factors... but this home has a direct impact based on feedback from showing agents.

 

[praevalesco]

There is no quick solution. The city inspectors can determine if this is a code compliance issue and can take action, but I assume this is what the court case is about?

It is... but past the inspectors hands and into the county health departments.

 

[Silverplum]

If you pull comps for my area and neighborhood there is an average sale price. We set our value to reflect this sale price which is backed my many home sales in the area. I realize there are other market factors... but this home has a direct impact based on feedback from showing agents.

Sure. All I'm saying is that the economy has a direct impact, also, and that impact has been HUGE on the real estate market.

Whether or not you "win" has everything to do with what you can prove.

Just FYI.

 

[Philxxxx]

Sure. All I'm saying is that the economy has a direct impact, also, and that impact has been HUGE on the real estate market.

Whether or not you "win" has everything to do with what you can prove.

Just FYI.

Probably why the OP is freaking out right now. Its spring, she has ~ 3 mo. to sell the house before the "winter blues" sets in & she has "Caution Police Tape" running down here block.

You can call the police and ask if they or you could take their tape down .. they are lazy & will leave this stuff up long after it is needed. If not, call your mayor and see if he can nudge it along ..

 

[Silverplum]

In 3 months, it will be July. Here in Colorado, that's summertime.

Probably why the OP is freaking out right now. Its spring, she has ~ 3 mo. to sell the house before the "winter blues" sets in & she has "Caution Police Tape" running down here block.

You can call the police and ask if they or you could take their tape down .. they are lazy & will leave this stuff up long after it is needed. If not, call your mayor and see if he can nudge it along ..

 

[praevalesco]

Thanks for the help all. To be honest a lawsuit would be the least favorable option and I plan on chasing all the rabbits down their holes (Dept. of Health, Town etc...). But if I don't get anywhere I guess I am stuck eating it.

 

[Philxxxx]

In 3 months, it will be July. Here in Colorado, that's summertime.

Hence the "about" ~~~~~ symbol .. the OP gets my drift. Maybe she lives in the desert & not the mountains ... CO has a wide range of climates available ..