MuniReg

10/19/2026

The housing crisis isn't just about building more homes. It's also about preserving the ones we already have.

Two recent articles from Strong Towns and Next City, discuss a new book "The Other Housing Crisis: Ending the Deterioration and Loss of Affordable Homes"

highlighting the growing challenge of deteriorating housing and the need for communities to do more to preserve existing homes.

From improving access to repair assistance to identifying properties at risk before conditions worsen, local governments have an important role to play in protecting housing, stabilizing neighborhoods, and preventing avoidable deterioration.

Addressing the housing crisis means looking beyond new construction and finding practical ways to preserve the housing stock communities already have.

The housing crisis is often discussed in terms of affordability, housing shortages, and the need to build more homes. But there is another challenge that deserves greater attention: the deterioration of existing housing and the growing cost of deferred maintenance.

10/19/2026

“That takes time,” — “and it really jams us up sometimes.”

These words from Chris Marland, Burlington North Carolina chief code enforcement officer describe a challenge municipalities continue to face today: tracking down property owners and getting the right people to address problem properties.

Whether dealing with vacant homes, distressed properties, or rental housing, locating the responsible party can consume valuable staff time and delay progress.

Vacant Property Registries (VPRs) and Rental Property Registries (RPRs) can help. By requiring registration and current owner or responsible-party information, municipalities gain a practical tool to improve communication and reduce the time spent searching for answers.

But finding the right contact is only half the battle.
Navigating banks, mortgage servicers, LLCs, and other complex ownership situations requires specialized knowledge and experience.

That’s where MuniReg stands out. We combine registry administration with an understanding of the unique challenges municipalities face dealing with banks, LLC's and other absentee owners, helping staff navigate these situations and focus more time on improving their communities.

The challenge continues today. The right tools and expertise makes a difference.
Contact us at [email protected] to learn how to bring these resources to your community

Georgia Association of Code Enforcement Kansas Association of Code Enforcement Iowa Association of Code Enforcement
American Association of Code Enforcement Arizona Code Enforcement Association Code Enforcement Association of Texas Code Enforcement Chapter of Orange County California Association of Code Enforcement Officers Code Officials of Lower Alabama Colorado Association of Code Enforcement Officials Illinois Association of Code Enforcement - IACE MAHCO Association

10/13/2026

A recent Wall Street Journal article examines how Debt-Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) loans are helping investors finance the renovation of long-abandoned homes in cities including East Cleveland, Baltimore, and Detroit.

While these loans can bring investment into struggling neighborhoods, they also raise questions about investor accountability, property maintenance, and what happens when borrowers default.

MuniReg previously explored this emerging trend in "DSCR Loans: The Great Unknown" https://munireg.com/dscr-loans-the-great-unknown/.

For municipalities, the challenge is understanding who owns these properties and who is responsible when they become distressed.

As alternative financing and complex ownership structures grow, maintaining visibility into the local property inventory becomes increasingly important.



https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/a-new-type-of-mortgage-is-reviving-long-abandoned-neighborhoods/ar-AA2e1T0m?

The loan—based on potential rental income, not the borrower’s wealth—is helping real-estate investors buy and renovate homes.

10/13/2026

Our latest jam-packed Blight Alert covering code enforcement officer safety, innovative illegal dumping legislation, a cautionary tale of going it alone, and much more!

With more than two decades of experience helping local governments address vacant, abandoned, foreclosed, and distressed properties, MuniReg provides the expertise to assist communities in developing, implementing, and strengthening effective property registration programs and related code enforcement initiatives.
To learn how MuniReg can support your community, please contact us at [email protected]
American Association of Code Enforcement National League of Cities ICMA - International City/County Management Association

Our latest jam-packed Blight Alert covering code enforcement officer safety, innovative illegal dumping legislation, a cautionary tale of going it alone, and much more!

10/09/2026

A New Jersey Supreme Court case raises an interesting question for municipalities: What happens with tax foreclosures that occurred before the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Tyler v. Hennepin County?

Tyler changed the legal landscape surrounding surplus equity in tax foreclosures. Now, New Jersey is examining questions that reach back to properties that were foreclosed before that decision.

For municipalities, it’s a reminder that changes in the law can have implications not only for future property cases, but potentially for how earlier cases are reviewed as well.

The case highlights an important question for municipalities: how should communities address earlier tax foreclosures in light of the legal standards established by Tyler? As New Jersey continues to work through these issues, the implications could extend to past as well as future foreclosure activi...

10/08/2026

An interesting example from Arlington, Texas, of residents and local government working through the challenges surrounding illegal and problematic home rentals.

A neighborhood group has organized to help identify properties of concern, while the city is examining potential changes to its regulations and enforcement tools, including a possible rental registry for properties with a history of significant violations.

It’s another example of how municipalities are adapting their approach as the nature of residential property issues continues to evolve.

American Association of Code Enforcement National League of Cities ICMA - International City/County Management Association

West Arlington residents are tracking homes they say violate rental rules as the city explores tougher enforcement.

10/06/2026

Another study adds to a growing body of research showing that vacant and abandoned properties can have consequences far beyond appearance and code compliance.

A University of Pennsylvania study found that securing abandoned houses was associated with a 17.6% reduction in fatal opioid overdoses in the Philadelphia neighborhoods studied.

This builds on research we’ve highlighted through our Thought Leadership section, showing connections between abandoned properties and crime, fires, declining property values and other community impacts, as well as studies demonstrating that targeted code enforcement can reduce property crime.

The takeaway: addressing vacant properties is much more than blight.
American Association of Code Enforcement National League of Cities - International City/County Management Association

Another study adds to a growing body of research showing that vacant and abandoned properties can have consequences far beyond appearance and code compliance.

10/05/2026

“WE BUY HOUSES.” “CASH 4 HOMES.” “FAST CASH.”

Those signs are everywhere, and states are taking a closer look at the real estate wholesaling industry behind them.

According to a new Stateline article, at least 15 states have adopted new regulations addressing disclosures, licensing and consumer protections.

For municipalities dealing with vacant and distressed properties, there’s another issue worth watching: when contracts are assigned or properties change hands before a sale is completed, identifying who actually controls or will ultimately own a property can become less straightforward. As more states examine these transactions, the implications for property owners and neighborhoods are worth watching.

American Association of Code Enforcement National League of Cities ICMA - International City/County Management Association

The signs, text messages and mailers promise cash, quick sales and a seamless means of unloading unwanted homes. But advocates say the business of buying homes for cash can confuse vulnerable homeowners and rob them of home equity. And now, many states are cracking down.

09/24/2026

California has enacted a new law allowing local authorities to immobilize, or “boot”, vehicles tied to repeated illegal dumping violations. The measure gives communities another enforcement tool beyond fines and citations.

The law is especially relevant to vacant land, which can become easy targets for illegal dumping.

American Association of Code Enforcement California Association of Code Enforcement Officers

Vacant lots are an easy target for illegal dumping. Now, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has signed legislation giving local governments another enforcement tool to combat repeat illegal dumping.

09/24/2026

Collaboration can be a powerful code enforcement tool. In Baker County, Oregon, a sheriff’s deputy will spend half his time helping smaller cities enforce nuisance ordinances, addressing issues such as trash and property conditions.

It’s a practical example of local governments working together to share personnel, expertise and enforcement capacity, a model that can help smaller communities tackle property issues that might otherwise be difficult to address on their own.

American Association of Code Enforcement Code Enforcement Association of Texas Code Officials of Lower Alabama Code Enforcement Education and News Oklahoma Code Enforcement Association Georgia Association of Code Enforcement Colorado Association of Code Enforcement Officials Kansas Association of Code Enforcement Code Enforcement Chapter of Orange County Iowa Association of Code Enforcement Illinois Association of Code Enforcement - IACE Mississippi Association of Code Enforcement MAHCO Association

BAKER CITY — A Baker County Sheriff’s Office deputy will devote about half his time, for at least the next several months and possibly beyond, to helping the county’s smaller […]