Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout042126 - National Strategies for Combatting Blight_ MuniReg Advisory - April 21st_ 2026ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/op/sh/1t6AVse4sR7ZnOYGFvP1B95Lr0d6Tk/JG-axKILEL2_> Good Morning, We’re pleased to share the latest national best practices for addressing vacant and abandoned properties, curated specifically for municipal needs. Please feel free to forward this to colleagues or others in your municipality. For those new to our updates, MuniReg typically shares insights monthly or bi-monthly, highlighting innovative, practical solutions from across the country. Every community faces unique challenges, and MuniReg is here to help with tailored support for your code enforcement and revitalization goals. This alert is informational only. To learn more about our services, contact us at admin@munireg.com Circuit Attorney’s Neighborhood Collaboration Program St. Louis, MO is ramping up efforts to address vacant and unsafe buildings, with prosecutors launching new outreach to hold property owners accountable. The initiative comes as abandoned properties increasingly contribute to crime, safety risks, and neighborhood decline—highlighting the growing role of legal enforcement as part of broader blight mitigation strategies. To view the article, please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsDg0kVNGBeNYjNuZW3hIa/xZ0wUTzSGCps> , or copy and paste the following into your web browser. https://www.stlamerican.com/news/local-news/vacant-buildings-safety-concerns-drive-new-prosecutor-outreach/ <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsE8LShneXkIizRjxL2R0e/lkAm04LGIx65> Code Enforcement "Grace Period" A creative and pragmatic approach out of Selma, NC introducing a structured “grace period” that prioritizes compliance over penalties. By allowing property owners to resolve violations through an agreed plan, with the potential for fee waivers, the Town is aligning enforcement with outcomes, not just process. It’s a strong example of how thoughtful program design can drive better results without adding friction for staff or residents. Improving neighborhood conditions and public perception of local government? That’s a meaningful win. Agree? To view the article, please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsEagAuE2tqDtFVZLA1Aii/mdjc-eodLocr> or copy and paste the following into your web browser. https://jocoreport.com/selma-town-council-approves-code-enforcement-grace-period/ <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsF30t6eRFw93VZOiyzuQm/KkCRf0zzoVju> Regulating HOAs A recent update out of Georgia highlights a new approach to regulating HOAs. Passed by the Senate and headed to the Governor’s desk for signature, SB 406 introduces registration requirements, stronger accountability measures, and a new administrative dispute resolution process to handle conflicts more formally and consistently. To view the article, please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsFVLbJ4pc24DldE6nye8q/4mpIMQt2_mnB> , or copy and paste the following into your web browser https://www.jdsupra.com/legalnews/the-georgia-property-owners-bill-of-6053116/ <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsFxgJVVDy7zO1h3UcxNqu/2Bdfz8n_Ziyh> Rental Properties/Institutional Investors * US Government Accountability Office (GAO) Report For communities focused on housing stability, the latest GAO report highlights a critical reality: institutional investors are expanding their presence, but their ownership remains highly concentrated and relatively limited overall. To view the article, please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsGQ11hvcKDuYHkssRw7Yy/iytGfKwCvfCv> , or copy and paste the following into your web browser. https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-26-108675 <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsGsLjuM0gJpiXoiGGurH2/AAMiw6RriX2E> * Rental Cap Removed in Indiana Two Indiana communities now have to rethink its approach to managing rental growth after a new state law voided their rental cap ordinance. With local limits off the table, officials are now exploring alternative tools to balance investor activity and neighborhood stability. To view the article, please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsHKgS6mP2PksnsXe5taz6/Wndkbnjwvfw1> , or copy and paste the following into your web browser https://www.youarecurrent.com/2026/03/19/carmel-considering-next-steps-after-new-state-law-nixes-citys-rental-cap/ <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/1t6Af4OiGsHn1AJCnOVg33wN1usKhA/d0F0oW jrd0_0> Rental Registries Differing POVs * While Columbus OH council is pushing ahead with a rental registry, the Colum­bus Apart­ment Asso­ci­ation (CAA), which rep­res­ents land­lords and prop­erty own­ers prom­ised it will chal­lenge the legis­la­tion in court. * As Houston TX considers implementing a rental registry, a recent article from Rice University's Kinder Institute for Urban Research advocates to look and learn from San Antonio's program * While Jefferson City, MO is contemplating interior inspections, the Columbus OH proposal removed that requirement. Does a "licensing" program as opposed to a "registry" make inspections more of a reality? To view the Columbus OH article (with CAA comments), please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2nfsZpYrw79RJzEsOff3pZGG/BfC56rUNS-IM> , or copy and paste the following into your web browser. https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/local/2026/04/16/columbus-city-council-vote-rental-registry-nears-landlords-promise-legal-challenge/89626022007/ <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU 1aA2nfuSp5NF5ifm1bCCq1YcJCm/lOMz_psSZmY7> To view an updated Columbus OH article (following last night's vote), please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2nfwLobsY4HuE3xW10O3P39I/sAEe_2obqZNu> , or copy and paste the following into your web browser. https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/columbus/columbus-oks-rental-registry-to-hold-landlords-accountable/ <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2nfyEo8Nr2r8g6JppAkYBn5o/_UfnOXz3qcQE> To view the Kinder Institute for Urban Research article, please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2ng07netA1QN88g9dL72yX2K/uuWus3dFf3SR> , or copy and paste the following into your web browser. https://kinder.rice.edu/urbanedge/san-antonio-cracked-down-problem-landlords-heres-what-houston-could-learn <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2ng20nBOSzzbaB2TRVTXlGyq/WeQc4VM6jobx> To view the Jefferson City, MO article, please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2ng3tmhtlyYq2DOnFfq2Y0vM/znkGHNfHB7ly> , or copy and paste the following into your web browser. https://www.newstribune.com/news/2026/apr/19/jefferson-city-officials-weigh-regular-interior-inspections-of-rental-properties/ <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2ng5mmEP4x84UFl73qC XKkrs/8iI98GOUeOMz> Another Day, Another Fraud/Scam A new report shows fraudsters exploiting vacant properties and postal systems to commit identity theft. We’ve highlighted similar fraud risks before, and it reinforces a key point: publicly sharing vacant property lists can unintentionally create a roadmap for bad actors. Transparency matters, but so does protecting sensitive data. It’s time to rethink how vacant property information is managed and who truly needs access. To view the article, please click here <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2ng7flkuNvhIwI7Qs0Z27UoO/9EWVj_CPquti> , or copy and paste the following into your web browser https://www.scworld.com/brief/fraudsters-exploit-vacant-properties-and-postal-services-for-identity-theft <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2ng9YlHPguGXOKTkgAvWuEku/7JMbR9gAFzHj> Michael Halpern President 866-MUNIREG | 866-686-4734 mhalpern@munireg.com www.MuniReg.com <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/cl/f/sh/7nVU1aA2nfsaHta8XXnPuP8SV2soIyK/Ic13AiT4Pi0R> 23215 Commerce Parkway Suite 115, Beachwood, Ohio 44122 Click here to unsubscribe <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/mk/un/v2/sh/1t6AVsdYhqSR1rLdjSGQkEnUH3n12i/6JRI6kkteVcu> <https://7pkkw.r.ag.d.sendibm3.com/tracking/?utm_campaign=97dc33a74f9b20671e5783f2445a5cea&utm_medium=email&utm_source=logo_mailin> ntActivityCapture" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "EnsureLogPreReqs" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "MetroOpen" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CreateUserInfoForAuthor" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CreateUniqueAuthorVector" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CreateUserInfoFromAuthorVector" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "IsCloudDocument" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SetSavedPreReqs" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CreateRevisionSetActivity" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "GetCommentContentIdentifier" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "LogCommentAttribution" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "TryCreateLog" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SaveLog" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SetSaved" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "AbandonLog" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CreateTaskActivity" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "TaskCreationActivity" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "ReassignTaskActivity" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "ReopenTaskActivity" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CompleteTaskActivity" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "DesktopBackstage" : { "Events" : { "SaveAsRecentClicked" : { "EventFlag" : 512 }, "SaveAsDefaultServiceSelection" : { "EventFlag" : 512 }, "OpenRecentDocumentsViewClicked" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "OpenRecentDocumentsViewWithFeatureEnabledClicked" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "BGCalcManagerProcessSetValuesProc" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "BGCalcIdleTaskFExecute" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "PlacesGrouperAccountInfo" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "GettingStartedMRUSlabGetMruDateTi meGroupType" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "OpenRecentLocationsViewClicked" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "NavigationReadSiteRootByVroom" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "NavigationReadDocLibFolderByVroom" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "PCXPersonaPhoto" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "OutSpace" : { "Events" : { "UpdatePlaces" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "Create" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "Hide" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SetMruListForHomePage" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "Cleanup" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SharedWithMePopulateList" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "UpdateMRUItems" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "OpenDismiss" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "NewDismiss" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } }, "SubNamespaces" : { "DesktopBackstage" : { "Events" : { "BackstageDismissed" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "AutoRecoveryCompareWithUnsavedVersio n" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "AutoRecoveryDeleteUnsavedVersion" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "AutoRecoveryOpenUnsavedVersion" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "AutoRecoveryPopulateUnsavedVersionList" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "InitNewNavFolder" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "NewServiceList" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } } } }, "SharePointSites" : { "Events" : { "GroupsSitesRequestIcon" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SharePointSitesInitializeSitesCollection" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SharePointSitesProcessResultForIdentity" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SharePointSitesIdentityCacheRequestResult" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SharePointSitesRequestSitesCached" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SharePointSitesRequestSitesAsyncProcessResult" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SharePointSitesRequestSitesAsync" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "CreateLocations" : { "Events" : { "DefaultIdentityEmpty" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "SharingLegacyClient" : { "Events" : { "GetData" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "SharedComments" : { "Events" : { "CommentContextChangedAction" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "LoadCommentAction" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchCloseViewEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchContextCreatedEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchOpenViewEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchViewChangedEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchBeginDraftEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchCapabilitiesChanged" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchCommentsChangedEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchCommentSelectedEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchCreateComment" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchDocChangedEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchEndCommentSession" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchEndDraftEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchFocusPaneTriggeredEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchInitCommentSessionAsync" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchInitialRenderCompletedEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchInvalidEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchLoadThreads" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchPaneChangedEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchPaneFocusStateChangedEven t" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchPaneToRenderEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchSelectComment" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchSetHalfPaneDisplayMode" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchThemeChang ed" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DispatchDeleteComment" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DiscardDraft" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "ClearCommentSelectionAction" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "HomePage" : { "Events" : { "PlaceChangeSlabCondition" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "OnShowHomePage" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } }, "SubNamespaces" : { "Search" : { "Events" : { "SeenByUser" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } } } }, "OfficeStart" : { "Events" : { "SetupTemplateProperties" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CurrentUIActivePlaceChange" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "TriggerThumbnailActionRun" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "DocumentNotifications" : { "Events" : { "RegisterOnIdleFeatureGateDisabled" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "MruServiceApi" : { "SubNamespaces" : { "Documents" : { "Events" : { "ReadRequest" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "WriteRequest" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "OnRequestSucceeded" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "Places" : { "Events" : { "ReadRequest" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "WriteRequest" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "OnRequestSucceeded" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } } } }, "MsoSharing" : { "Events" : { "CMsoSharingServiceHelperEndGetHostCapabilities" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperGetHostCapabilities" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperEndGetUserAttributes" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperGetUserAttributes" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperEndGetLinks" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperGetLinks" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperEndSetLinks" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperSetLinks" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperEndGetPermissions" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperGetPermissions" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperEndSetPermissions" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperSetPermissions" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperCheckPermissions" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperGetSharingInformation" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperBeginSetPermissions" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CMsoSharingServiceHelperGetSharing Versions" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "ModernBackstage" : { "Events" : { "BackstagePageControlUserCreateControlUser" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "DesktopBackstageNavigation" : { "Events" : { "NavigationTaskInvoke" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "TaskInvokeOnReadFolder" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "DesktopSharing" : { "Events" : { "CollabPaneUserSetCollabPaneMode" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CollabPaneUserClickSharingLink" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "CollabPaneUserIsCurrentDocEnterpriseProtected" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "DocumentsSharedWithMe" : { "Events" : { "DocumentsSharedWit hMeRequestDocumentsSharedWithMeAsync" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentsSharedWithMeRequestCachedDocumentsSharedWithMe" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentsSharedWithMeIdentityCacheRequestResult" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentsSharedWithMeRequestCachedDocumentsForFailures" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "MruAdapter" : { "Events" : { "HrAddDocument" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "HrAddPlace" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "HrAddDocumentWithOptionsWithContext" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "HrAddPlaceWithOptionsWithContext" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "HrAddDocumentPathWithContext" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "HrAddPlacePathWithContext" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "HrAddDocumentIndex" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "HrAddPlaceIndex" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "HrRemovePath" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "HrAddWithOptionsWithContext" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "AppDocs" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "Document" : { "SubNamespaces" : { "Activation" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "LastOpenedDocumentMetadata" : { "EventFlag" : 2 } } }, "ModernDocTemplateService" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "SavePromptHelper" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentChat" : { "Events" : { "DocumentChatAvailabilityRtcListenerConnectedEv ent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentChatAvailabilityRtcListenerConnectingEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentChatAvailabilityRtcListenerDisconnectedEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentChatAvailabilityRtcListenerDisconnectingEvent" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentChatAvailabilityRtcListenerRefreshPersistentStateAsync" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentChatAvailabilityRtcLis tenerRefreshPersistentStateAsyncInternal" : { "EventFlag" : 2 }, "DocumentChatAvailabilityRtcListenerRefreshPersistentStateAsyncRetry" : { "EventFlag