Decline in Rockland Zombie Properties; New City, Nanuet Have Highest Levels

SOUTH NYACK, NY— Rockland County is seeing a decline in zombie properties, and politicians say a new state law is the driving force getting banks to take responsibility.

A new investigation by the Offices of Senators Jeff Klein and David Carlucci revealed that the number of Rockland County’s zombie properties has declined from 272 to 207 properties. These are properties in the legal limbo of foreclosure, deserted by their owners, that have become utterly run-down. Owned but not maintained by banks, they have a ripple effect on neighborhoods and property values.

Klein and Carlucci, along with Nyack Mayor Jen White and South Nyack Mayor Bonnie Christian, held a press conference Aug. 11 to stress that action must continue in order to keep up this progress.

“I know that all municipalities are faced with zombie homes. South Nyack is no exception," said Christian. "Municipalities will be able to enter onto and maintain any mortgage delinquent residential property in order to address a threat to public health, safety, and welfare. This has been a long time coming. South Nyack will definitely take advantage of this new law to protect the health of our residents and the values of our properties.”

They met in front of 8 Hamilton Place in South Nyack. It is one of only two zombie properties remaining in the village, according to the Daily Voice.

Despite their good news, these abandoned properties continue to cost Rockland homeowners over $6.2 million in house value depreciation, down from $9.6 million in May, Carlucci said. The investigation revealed which towns continue to struggle.

“Owning a home is one of the most important investments we will make in our lifetime. For Rockland and Westchester homeowners, zombie properties that have fallen into disrepair have blighted communities while simultaneously driving down property values,” said Carlucci (D-Rockland/Westchester).

Carlucci and Klein urged homeowners to utilize the newly established zombie properties hotline, maintained by the Department of Financial Services, in order to report problem properties.

“This is a huge step in the right direction and we are very grateful,” said White.

Homeowners can contact the hotline to report abandoned properties in their area at (800) 342-3736.