Guide Helps Communities Deal With Dilapidated Properties

A clinic at the West Virginia University College of Law has published a free legal guide for dealing with dilapidated properties.

Land Use and Sustainable Development Law Clinic Director Katherine Garvey says the book grew out of the clinic’s experience working with local governments. Garvey says communities were complaining about dilapidated properties, which can be health and safety hazards as well as eyesores. But the complex legal issues around the properties were preventing communities from dealing with them.

“From Liability to Viability: A Legal Toolkit to Address Neglected Properties in West Virginia” identifies tools available to attorneys, mayors, code enforcement officers, land use planners and community leaders.

The book is available from download at wvleap.wvu.edu. Hard copies are available from the clinic.