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California Health and Safety Receiverships are a remedy for distressed properties, which are known as a public nuisance under the law. In a receivership, a receiver is appointed by the court to revitalize nuisance properties after a lawsuit has been filed against the property owner. In these situations under public nuisance law, the receiver will often work with local law enforcement and fire departments until the situation is resolved.

Californians are well aware of just how damaging fires can be. Every year, California’s firefighters respond to hundreds of thousands of fire calls, including wildfires, vacant building fires, electrical fires, and more. When it comes to abating fire hazards, health and safety receivers are an essential resource within the state. The motivating force in all health and safety receiverships is to address substantial health and safety risks that affect property owners, tenants, and their surrounding communities. This includes fire hazard abatement.

The foreclosure crisis that affected the entire nation during the economic downturn of 2007-2009 created another crisis: an urban landscape filled with vacant and abandoned properties. While residential properties were empty because of foreclosures, commercial properties were abandoned because of the economic struggles of business owners. This, of course, raised the risk of vacant building fires.

Most people view an “as-is” real estate sale with some caution and pragmatism. There is definitely a “buyer beware” attitude about as-is sales because buyers are left wondering why the property can’t be sold in a traditional manner. This is true for any as-is property, including those categorized as a receivership property.

For nearly a decade, the City of Banning, CA had to endure the challenges brought on by six unfinished commercial buildings spread over 9 acres of land located just off the 10 Freeway.

Receivers are often appointed by courts to revitalize and potentially oversee the sale of nuisance properties. What Is a Nuisance Property? Nuisance properties are those that are in some form of distress due to being neglected or abandoned. These properties often present health and safety concerns, code violations, and even neighborhood blight. Signs of a nuisance property can include: Abandonment Severe disrepair Dilapidation Safety code violations Criminal activity