A proposal to limit how much communities can charge in fees and fines with a vacant property list has cleared the Georgia House.
House Bill 110, which passed 117-39 on Thursday, would create a state standard for so-called foreclosure registries. It would limit the registration fee for the list to $100 and cap fines at $500 a month for properties cited for code violations and other problems.
“The bill protects private property rights by reining in a practice by local governments,” said Rep. Mike Jacobs, R-Brookhaven, the bill's sponsor.
Several counties opposed the bill and its original call for a $25 fee and a $100-per-month fine as too little to force owners -- often banks and other creditors -- to maintain the properties.
DeKalb created the first vacant property registry last year, charging a $175 filing fee and threatening fines up to $1,000 a day for problems. At the time, DeKalb had nearly 14,000 foreclosed properties.
Plans are under way to create a similar registry in Gwinnett County.
The bill would exempt any property owner from the registries as long as he puts the current address and contact information on his deed within 60 days. Jurisdictions can use that information in pursuing code problems.
The bill now heads to the Senate for review.
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