The PA Conservatorship Act in Monessen
THE CITY OF MONESSEN WILL RECOGNIZE AND ENCOURAGE THE USAGE OF PA ACT 135 OF 2008:
Also known as the “Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservation Act”
Effective immediately, the City of Monessen will begin encouraging the usage of PA Act 135 of 2008 otherwise known as the “Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservation Act”. According to the Pennsylvania Housing Alliance, Conservatorship is the appointment of a third party to take possession and control of a property in order to make repairs and return the property to productive use. The court appoints the conservator after a formal process and hearing, including notice to the owner and lien holders. It allows a property to be salvaged when the owner is not able or willing to step forward to make the necessary repairs.
In summary, a party who is interested in being a conservator, shall among other things:
- Petition the County Court.
2. Notify the current owner of the property; all political subdivisions in which the property is located; and any/all municipal authorities known to have provided service to the property and all lienholders of the filing by registered or certified mail to the last known address of each and by posting a copy of the notice on the building.
3. Also, notify the owner and each lienholder of the hearing date and provide notice that the owner and lienholders may petition to intervene in the action.
4. The court shall act upon a petition submitted by holding a hearing within 60 days of receipt of the petition and by rendering a decision no later than 30 days after completion of the hearing.
Please read PA Act 135 of 2008 in its entirety, if you are interested in pursuing this process, and are willing and able to repair and maintain the property that you are seeking in this process. The text in full can be found online here on the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s website. A reference copy will also be available at Monessen City Hall.
This act will help us promote vacant property reinvestment in Monessen, and will help interested and legitimate investors and developers cut through red tape, and acquire vacant properties, and renovate them within a reasonable time frame, with no cost to the city. The Monessen Code Department and other relevant staff at City Hall are happy to assist in identifying potential properties or helping find applicable property information.
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