A successful health & safety receivership restores order to a long-neglected residential property.
After years of unresolved code violations and deteriorating conditions, a single family home in Fresno is now secure, cleaned out, and poised for sale—thanks to the use of a health and safety receivership.
A Property Plagued by Persistent Violations
The City of Fresno first opened a code enforcement case against the property in September 2020, after numerous complaints from neighbors and the Fresno Police Department. Issues ranged from junk accumulation and overgrown landscaping to structural and health code violations. Over the next three years, the City conducted repeated inspections, issued several notices, and attempted to work with the property owner to bring the site into compliance—without success.
In March 2024, the Fresno County Superior Court appointed Richardson Griswold as a Health & Safety Receiver under California Health & Safety Code § 17980.7(c), granting him the authority to rehabilitate the property and enforce all applicable safety and housing codes.
Initial Cleanup and Transition Plan
Following his appointment, the Receiver conducted a thorough inspection alongside City staff and contractors. The interior and exterior conditions were found to be in extreme disrepair, including structural damage, unpermitted modifications, and missing basic plumbing fixtures.
Given the extent of the damage, the Receiver determined that a full rehabilitation was not financially feasible and instead proposed an as-is sale of the property following a clean-out. A buyer would be required to rehabilitate the property under the Receiver’s supervision and within a reasonable timeline. The court approved this plan in July 2024, authorizing the Receiver to list the property for sale.
The Receiver successfully coordinated the removal of all occupants, including the property owner and several unauthorized individuals. Relocation assistance was provided to help with the transition. Once vacated, the property was boarded up and secured. Despite a few attempts at trespassing, the premises were protected with private security patrols until the sale process could proceed.
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Sale Process and Offer Selection
Once the clean out was complete, the property was listed on the open market. After receiving multiple offers, the Receiver accepted the highest and most qualified bid. The Court was asked to approve the sale, remove certain liens from the property, and allow those claims to attach instead to the sale proceeds. This mechanism—known as lien stripping—is commonly used in health and safety receiverships to facilitate transfers that ultimately support neighborhood revitalization. Sale approval was granted by the Court.
The buyer agreed to assume full responsibility for the rehabilitation and future code compliance, aligning with the core purpose of the receivership.
As of April 2025, the property in its final state is listed for sale.
A Model for Future Enforcement
This receivership project demonstrates how cities can use this powerful remedy to take action when all other enforcement methods have failed. Fresno successfully transitioned a dangerous property from long-term neglect toward responsible redevelopment.
As the property enters the final chapter of its transformation, it serves as a model of how court-appointed receiverships can protect public health, promote compliance, and restore livability to affected neighborhoods.
Griswold Law Specializes in Nuisance Properties.
If you find yourself in a neighborhood that is experiencing this problem, the professionals at Griswold Law can help guide you on how to legally resolve the issue. Whether you’re located in California, Arizona, or Nevada, Griswold Law specializes in the health and safety receivership remedy, and knows the ins and outs of working with local code enforcement teams to deal with substandard housing problems. Contact us today to discuss your concerns.
