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Nationwide commercial property foreclosures are up significantly since 2023. According to a recent report released by ATTOM in February of this year, the end of 2024 saw a significant year-over-year increase with 725 commercial properties going into foreclosure. California led the charge with 257, which amounted to a 90% increase from the previous month and a 104% jump compared to December of 2023. With foreclosure comes the risk of a property becoming vacant or abandoned. This can eventually cause problems for cities, who run the risk of those vacant commercial properties becoming taken over by squatters or converting into hotbeds for crime.

Clark County officials have presented a transformative bill to Nevada state lawmakers aimed at combating the alarming negligence of landlords who fail to address dangerous living conditions, endangering tenant health and safety. The newly proposed Assembly Bill 211 amends existing language and revises provisions related to substandard properties, advocating for the appointment of a health and safety receiver in certain situations.

A common problem we see across the region is a city’s frustration with commercial nuisance properties. When left in a neglected state, these substandard properties pose a risk to communities because of lingering or worsening hazardous conditions. They also become hotbeds for crime, attracting squatters and illegal activity that compromises feelings of safety and security. Health & Safety Code § 17920.3 “Any building or portion thereof, regardless of zoning designation or approved uses of the building, including any dwelling unit, guestroom or suite of rooms, or the premises on which the same is located, in which there exists any of the following listed conditions to an extent that endangers the life, limb, health, property, safety, or welfare of the occupants of the building, nearby residents, or the public shall be deemed and hereby is declared to be a substandard building…” Link to

At Griswold Law, we value a comprehensive approach to managing distressed hospitality assets, ensuring safety and value are at the forefront. Through our involvement in cases throughout the region, we’ve demonstrated our commitment to navigating complex hotel receivership situations effectively, embracing challenges to solve problems previously deemed unsolvable.

When it comes to California contract law, ABC contracts are a well-established tool that can help individuals and entities avoid a formal bankruptcy filing. “ABC” stands for “Assignment for the Benefit of Creditors,” and the term describes a contract in which an economically troubled “Assignor” transfers control of its assets and property to an independent third party. This third party is called the “Assignee,” and they liquidate and wind-up the entity.

Abandoned properties present unique challenges and dilemmas, particularly when these buildings have missing or deceased owners. The complex interplay of real estate laws, probate procedures, and responsible party identification often leaves municipalities and stakeholders grappling with how to manage these situations. This blog aims to unravel the intricacies of abandoned property receivership, focusing on the issues that arise from the absence of responsible parties.