Blight beat: Royal Bank of Scotland responds after Ypsilanti Township attorney asks 'What is your problem?'
The Royal Bank of Scotland will demolish a deteriorating home it owns at 952 S. Grove Road.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
The Royal Bank of Scotland has responded to a frustrated query over a rotting home from Ypsilanti Township Attorney Doug Winters asking "what is your problem?"
“I think their problem is me,” Winters said. “Whatever it takes to get their attention.” The bank has agreed to demolish the foreclosed home, Winters said.
“With all due respect, what is your problem?” Winters asked in a letter informing the bank that the township was preparing to take legal action against it.
Winters was asking a Washtenaw County Circuit Court judge to declare a decaying home that RBS owned at 952 S. Grove Road a public nuisance and order it demolished. He charged that the home is in danger of collapsing and had a become a shelter for vagrants, among many other issues.
In what officials say is a rare occurrence, the letter notifying a bank of impending legal action brought a quick response.
Winters said an attorney representing the RBS contacted him and said the bank would demolish the home and a large garage on the property after clearing out the interior.
In his letter to RBS outlining issues at the property, Winters questioned how the bank could let the house “rot” and become a public health and safety threat, a shelter for vagrants and teeter on the verge of collapsing.
Among other issues:
- The walls and floors are saturated with cat urine.
- The floors and subflooring are rotting through in several spots.
- The house is infested with mold, and sewer discharge was discovered in the basement.
- Separation and cracks in the walls and ceiling indicate structural failure.
- The foundation wall is crumbling.
- The roof has collapsed in several locations.
- Several garages are partially collapsed.
The Township Board of Trustees regularly approves staff taking legal action against banks and lenders that own a deed to foreclosed homes in the township but fail to maintain the properties.
Officials say it's the No. 1 problem facing the township, it is a threat to public health in many cases and it destabilizes property values. They have sought the help of U.S. Rep. John Dingell's office and developed new ordinances to help stem issues caused by the properties.
Comments
Joanne Thompson
Sun, May 20, 2012 : 7:49 p.m.
That House was a good house for a long time, and there was no damn cat urine in the house to let it be known to all.
Maier Suchowljansky
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 12:57 a.m.
Thank you Ypsi township for taking these situations seriously. Upon calling one other local gov't about such a problem, you are told there's nothing that can be done until the house is ready to fall down. Wrong answer. Keep it up, the township is acting in a responsible manner and it is well appreciated.
Dog Guy
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 6:29 p.m.
The Royal Bank undoubtedly referred the matter up command to Elizabeth II DG Regina who conferred with her husband, formerly prince of Greece, who suggested she advance this matter in homage to Gen. Demetrios Ypsilanti.
81wolverine
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 5:30 p.m.
I think this action by the Township sets a good precedent. Other local governments are going to need to also take tough stands on owners of blighted properties like this one. My belief is that there are going to be many more of these cases in the future, not just in Ypsi Township. And if local governments send the clear message now that these properties need to be either maintained or torn down, it will hopefully head off situations that get out of control like 952 S. Grove.
patty
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 5:02 p.m.
Good job Mr. Winters! Maybe the city of Ypsilanti should hire him to clean up some of the abandoned/blighted properties in the city as well. It's time to make changes in the city's legal department.
LA
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 3:06 p.m.
Great! Now could Mr. Winters go help Detroit get rid of all their condemned houses?? That would be so awesome!
zanzerbar
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 6:09 p.m.
Down, not door.
zanzerbar
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
Why Detriot, here in the city of Ypsilanti, there are numerous abandoned houses that need to taken door. They all have condemned notices on the door. On Harriet st south of First St are 3, on First St, north of Harriet, there's one that caught fire, been boarded up for years. On Summit N of Mich Ave there are 4 right across the Street from each other. That's all in one neighborhood.
shutthefrtdoor
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 2:46 p.m.
That a way to light a fire under the ol' chaps!
lumberg48108
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
In most cases, it is the bureaucratic process of local government that stalls such actions and private industry is frustrated Not in this case - good work by Ypsi Township to motivate private industry to do what needs to be done
jns131
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
See? Ypsi township always gets their way. Good news.
Local Lady
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 1:15 p.m.
And the next article is about how the township officials just fired Doug Winters.....
eagleman
Thu, Apr 26, 2012 : 12:12 a.m.
That article is from 2009 and it states that SALEM township, not Ypsilanti, fired Winters.
jns131
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.
Not. If he can get them to demolish a building? Then more power to him. I'd like to see him get that row of housing out by Rawsonville demolished next.
Elaine F. Owsley
Wed, Apr 25, 2012 : 11:28 a.m.
Sometimes it just takes the right person to push the right button and things begin to work. The Township owes Mr. Winters a medal.