Brindisi Sponsored Zombie Property Bill Becomes Law [VIDEO]

Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation to give municipalities more tools to fight the problem of abandoned "zombie" houses.

The "Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act of 2016" was sponsored by Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi.  The law will take effect in 90 days.

The legislation will require banks and lending agencies to keep up properties that are in foreclosure.  It will also establish a state registry of foreclosed properties so the public knows who owns them.

"The problem of 'zombie houses' is one that sucks the life out of all our communities here in the Mohawk Valley.  It becomes a major quality of life issue for an entire neighborhood when a home is abandoned, and becomes a target for squatters and vandalism, lowering property values.  This law will put some teeth into municipalities' fight to combat the problem of abandoned homes," Brindisi said.

Brindisi says according to figures posted on realtytrac.com for May, over 300 properties in Rome and over 400 homes in Utica were in some stage of foreclosure.