We were amazed and then angry when we discovered one of our properties was listed on the city of Salisbury's website as "Slum Property of the Week." If Mayor Jim Ireton, the city official who chooses the property for this title, had done a minimum of homework, he would have discovered most of the calls for service regarding this property were initiated by our company or by our tenants, who we have encouraged to call police when they note problems in the area where they live.
If the mayor had checked with both the Salisbury Police Department staff and Neighborhood Service and Code Compliance, he would have found we are the most proactive property owner in the Camden area regarding crime and blight.
Our company constantly interacts with Salisbury Police, NSCC, news media and CrimeSolvers to attempt to improve the Camden Heights neighborhood. We have pointed out inconsistencies of making this entire area a Historic District. We have fought and won in court against the city on numerous occasions for the right to improve our properties, so blight is reduced.
The police department has stated it cannot enforce trespassing laws unless we post "no trespassing" signs. In doing so, we monitor our properties for nonresident loitering, graffiti and untagged vehicles. We also diligently remove trash that has blown off the streets. Yet when we report infractions to the proper authorities, we are recognized by the city's administration as "Slum Property of the Week."
We challenge the mayor and the news media, as well as the public, to talk to owners and tenants in Camden Heights to determine who is more proactive in their efforts to improve this neighborhood -- the city administration or our company?
Additionally, in the past, our company supplied the police substation on Smith Street. Due to our concern with crime in the neighborhood, we offered to donate this property to the city again. We, along with other landlords, have requested a meeting with the mayor and his staff to discuss how we can partner with them to resolve problems with crime and blight. We have also sent numerous e-mails and a formal letter -- sent nearly two months ago -- requesting a meeting with the mayor and his staff. We are still awaiting a positive response.
As the city includes more than 60 percent rental properties, it makes sense for Salisbury, like many other successful cities, to partner with landlords to achieve common goals. Attacking landlords as the path to success is not the way to produce the best results.
Mayor, you can start working on this partnership by removing "Slum Property of the Week" from the city's website and meeting with concerned property owners in a real and meaningful effort to resolve the city's problems -- as a team.
Stuart Leer and Robert Malone, partners of M&L Rentals LLP.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
30 comments:
Ireton is an idiot. Stu Leer's opposition to Barrie Tilghman was a catalyst to Ireton bercoming the mayor.
Joe, is there a link to see past slumlords?
Jim-beau's behavior will do a lot for the "neighborhood crime watch" program in Salisbarrie.
One word: Burn!!!!!
having dealt with one of salisbury's infamous slumlords upon first moving here, I can only say they should all have their feet held to the fires. from the properties I looked at they were all unfit for humans. But then since it appears they mainly rent to animals maybe the areas they are in should have their zoning changed to agricultural?
I hate to say it,but as long as the rent or HUD payment is on time,the majority of Salisbury landlords could care less about how their tenants live or how much of a menace they are to the area they live in.Drugs,squalor,crime,all permeates rental neighborhoods in Salisbury.I challenge any one of Salisburys slumlords to live a month in one of their rental properties,just to see for themselves how the neighborhoods have gone to hell.Whats that old saying about he doth protest too much????
That's the result of only doing a portion of the job. If these guys really are as involved as they claim, Ireton should be kissing their feet at the moment for not researching (or having someone else do it) the whole situation before making bogus claims. I feel if Mr. Leer and Mr. Malone have put forth such an effort to improve the area, Ireton should most definitely be issuing an formal apology in place of his misplaced label.
The last couple of weeks the so called 'Slums' on the citys website don't look so slummy to me. And how does having police calls to the property qualify it as a slum? Code enforcement violations maybe but you could have a bunch of calls to a home in Nithsdale and that becomes a slum? (Yes I know Nithsdale is not in the city)
I have known several properties which Mr Leer has purchased and revanped. He takes care of his properties. If I have to call his office for a disruptive tenant Mr Leer is on the scene that day or next and he takes care of the situatiion.If the mayor would work with these businessmen he would get find he could understand and how to make properties better. The mayor cant sit on a throne and dictate what he sees. If he is not a part of the solution he is part of the problem.
Ha Ha the city has taken down all the older slum listings. I guess they are worried people reading this blog are going to take a look and see it's a bunch of BS.
I've been told that after a certain amount of police calls to a property the property is labeled as a 'nuisance property' by the police dept.
Perhaps that would be a nicer term than 'slum.'
I am glad the mayor is putting some of these properties on blast - get some of the crap out of the city. I sure wouldn't want to live near any of these places.
Looks like the Mayors strategy is working.
The landlords want to have a partnership with someone other than themselves.
Nice job, Mayor.
Yes, high calls for service can make the property deemed a nuisance. High service calls speak directly about the kind of tenant a landlord chooses to rent to. Regardless if Mr. Leer and Mr. Malone don't consider themselves slum lords, I would. Their property is vacant and the windows are boarded up. It is not lived in, it does not look like a "home" and I can't imagine it's doing anything positive for the neighborhood.
Why is the property vacant? Is it in such disrepair no one will rent it? Will it not pass a rental inspection? Does it need so much work that it doesn't make financal sense to rehab it? Vacant properties are just as bad as those with problem tenants if you ask me.
Keep up the good work, Jim. Call them all out, it's time to end the good ole boy network around here!
1:43-
What planet are you from. Ireton won't respond to them. If he "partnered" with them, then he would be criticised by his acolytes for fraternizing with the enemy.
Barrie learned the hard way that Mr. Leer means business. He also happens to be a reputable and responsible landlord, like it (and him) or not.
Ireton should apologize and would be wise to do so ASAP.
Landlords cannot "choose" the tennants except for non-discriminatory basis like credit score.
Then, of course they can discriminate against poor people.
Otherwise, they are not making choices about who lives in the units.
It's not always 'poor people' with a bad credit score, its sometimes people who just don't pay their bills, people who blow money on other things, etc.
Salisbury is a sh*thole with the rental outfits at the center. I'm glad someone is taking these losers to task.
3:05,
Really? You really think the landlords don't quietly (or overtly) discriminate?
Ever see a sign advertising "student rental"?
I agree with 1:43
It's so nice to see so many people that have never had to rent a house. It must be wonderful to live with your parents until you can purchase a home or just stay at home until mom and dad die.
Personally, I was living on my own at 16 and had to be one of those low life trouble making renters so many of you are talking about. I paid my rent and utilities by going to work every day to support myself and my child, sorry if his thomas the tank ride on sitting in the back yard was an eye sore for all of you wonderful home owners. I apologize when I came in late after attending school, going to work, and hitting the grocery store afterwards. I am really sorry that my car sat beside my house for 4 months without tags while I was trying to save the money for the inspection, insurance, and tags.
Listen to yourselves people! Not everyone is born with the luxuries to own a house right out the gate. Not everyone that rents a house is a thug drug dealing prostitute trouble maker. There are many people that have to wait until later in life to be able to have the luxury of calling themselves home owners.
Alot of the slums are moving into fruitland now. Fruitland looks like crap and every street you go down you see 'for rent' signs on at least one house. Fruitland also doesn't have that 4/2 law so where have all the college students gone -- yep you guessed it, Fruitland.
5:32pm - Like you, I have had to work very hard to become a homeowner and I have spent a great deal of time as a renter.
However as a renter, I made sure I didn't have loud parties, didn't have trash around my house and in my yard (by trash I mean actual trash not people), didn't have alot of people over who would be fighting causing disturbances etc.
Those are the things people are complaining about.
Police do not have to be called to a property multiple times just because a renter lives there. It's because of the actions of that renter. And sometimes the actions of homeowners too - they aren't innocent here. But I think there needs to be some accountability to the landlords also.
Personally I think having a car without tags in your own driveway shouldn't be a big deal.
The problem with alot of renters is that they don't care about the property because they don't own it. So they don't maintain it, pick up after themselves, cut the grass, etc. They have loud parties or groups of people over who then disturb neighbors. Or like a druggie in my neighbor, they have people going in and out of their house all hours of the night buying drugs blaring their music.
Anon 5:32
Im with you there-I have pretty much rented all my life and I will say that I never knew a decent landlord who appreciated a good tenant existed til I left the Salisbury area,but I digress.You are right,it is unfair that a few rotten apples give renters a bad name.I know people who own their homes who live in absolute sh*tholes so ......
Anonymous said...
Ireton is an idiot. Stu Leer's opposition to Barrie Tilghman was a catalyst to Ireton bercoming the mayor.
11:15 AM
BULLS!T !!!
Anonymous said...
...And how does having police calls to the property qualify it as a slum?...
1:02 PM
Um..Mr. Idiot...this is Salisbury..the entire city is a slum. So what property do you own? My guess is you are a slum lord. I bet you don't even live in the city!
Yep anon 2:14PM Stu Leer is a reputable person..LMAO
Case Number Name Date of Birth Party Type Court Case Type Case Status Filing Date Case Caption
00983763R4 Leer, Stuart And Nancy Defendant Wicomico County District Court CV Closed 11/03/1993
00967168Q6 Leer, Stuart R Defendant Wicomico County District Court CR Closed 08/03/1994
00967169Q0 Leer, Stuart R Defendant Wicomico County District Court CR Closed 08/03/1994
020300001081996 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT ACTIVE 01/19/1996
020300001081996 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT ACTIVE 01/19/1996
020300001081996 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT ACTIVE 01/19/1996
020300001081996 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT ACTIVE 01/19/1996
020300009611998 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT ACTIVE 03/03/1998
020300009611998 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT ACTIVE 03/03/1998
020300021381997 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT Closed 06/25/1997
020300021381997 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT Closed 06/25/1997
020300042491998 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT ACTIVE 10/13/1998
22C02000664 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County Circuit Court Administrative Agency Appeal Closed/Inactive 05/24/2002 L & M Rental LLP, et al vs Salisbury Historic District Commission
22C02001581 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County Circuit Court Administrative Agency Appeal Closed/Inactive 12/03/2002 Leer, et al vs Salisbury Historic District Commission
22C02001582 Leer, Stuart R Plaintiff Wicomico County Circuit Court Administrative Agency Appeal Closed/Inactive 12/03/2002 Leer, et al vs Salisbury Historic District Commission
000000B044024 Leer, Stuart Robert 02/1946 Defendant Somerset County District Court Traffic ACTIVE CASE 05/10/1985
020300008142002 Leer, Stuart Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT Closed 02/22/2002
020300029541997 Leer, Stuart Other Wicomico County District Court CONT ACTIVE 08/29/1997
020300029541997 Leer, Stuart Other Wicomico County District Court CONT ACTIVE 08/29/1997
020300052172008 Leer, Stuart Plaintiff Wicomico County District Court CONT Closed 07/30/2008
020400011152001 Leer, Stuart Defendant Snow Hill District Court CONT Closed 05/23/2001
22C01000887 Leer, Stuart Plaintiff Wicomico County Circuit Court Other Civil Closed/Inactive 07/19/2001 Nationwide Insurance Company, et al vs Ellis
22C06000440 Leer, Stuart Plaintiff Wicomico County Circuit Court Administrative Agency Appeal Closed/Inactive 03/23/2006 Leer vs Salisbury Historic District Commission
6Z33513255 Leer, Stuart Defendant Wicomico County District Court MI Closed 08/25/2000
2;08 comment you have the wrong property. This house is located at 605 Light Street.
The property on Church Street was owned by a ex-sherrif who was blind. He passed away nearly 4 months ago.
10:17 what exactly were you trying to prove? If you look at those cases roughly 80% Mr Leer was the plantiff, therefore he was the one NOT in the hot seat! If I had nothing better to do I would view each case and probably see most were tenant involved incidences, that comes with being a landlord.
It sort of looks like you did exactly what Ireton did: only got half of the story without supporting evidence!
I'm not against posting "slumlords", but is it the job of the government to do so? And what is the liability? Could this, or other landlords, sue for damage to their brand? And if so, it will be the TAXPAYERS that will have to pay the bill.
Instead, I suggest an outside agency, set up a website and post only FACTS about the actions of "slumlords". These could include whatever Ireton uses as criteria.
If a person has enough money to own several rental properties, then they also have enough money to sue to the City, which is really suing the taxpayer since WE pay the legal bills.
Some of you people are way off base here. I know from experience (and most of you don't) that you can look into a persons background and find no problems. You rent to those people and they start to cause problems in the neighborhood. If you take them to court for material breach of lease you will be laughed out of court. The law isn't set up to remove ppl from their homes because they bring problems to the community. In fact, you cannot refuse to rent to someone because they are:
1) Illegal immigrants, or;
2) Registered sex offenders, or;
3) Convicted of certain crimes.
The law doesn't support efforts by landlords to screen applicants as closely as they should be - wouldn't you agree?
Also, The Maryland Department of the Environment has strict regulations in place that require most properties to be maintained at a higher level than owner occupied homes, the violations for which are stiff. This law has teeth and most landlords I know make sure that their homes are kept in compliance. The owner occupied residences right next door may, however, have paint peeling off of the outside and falling to the ground yet no on bats an eye. I'm sure it's all the landlords' fault, right?
The laws on the books in the city of Salisbury have in fact CREATED the problems in many of your communities when coupled with weak law enforcement by the previous Chief and entitlements from the Federal Govt.
The new Chief is doing the best he can and is making a bigger difference than many of you know. But it will take time.
I don't own any rentals in Salisbury but I do know this. Your communities can be brought back. You must take the proper steps. Lashing out at property owners because of the behavior of their tenants is not the answer. It is, though, an example of a people who are behaving like a lynch mob of centuries past.
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