Florida considers mandatory registration of empty homes

(TALLAHASSEE. Florida) - The State or Florida is considering legislation that would require property owners to identity empty homes so that State and local officials can watch them to make sure they do not become the targets of vandals and house squatters.

The bill requires that property owners pay a fee to place vacant, abandoned and pre-fore closure homes on a Web site. The site would be monitored by both state and local officials to make sure homes are kept in good repair.

The purpose of the biII is to stabiIize housing markets in areas hard hit by foreclosures, said sponsor Representative Ari Abraham Porth, D-Coral Springs. He said deteriorating homes harm housing values for properties around them.