A new team of city officials will take a hard look at vacant and abandoned structures in New York City.

“Vacant and abandoned zombie homes undermine the health and stability of our neighborhoods,” said Maria Torres-Springer, commissioner of the City’s Dept. of Housing Preservation and Development, which has created a special unit on these properties.

State law already requires mortgage holders to maintain properties they know to be vacant and abandoned, or face a $500 fine per property, per day. HPD’s Zombie Unit will conduct 500 exterior surveys of potential and confirmed zombie homes in Central Brooklyn, Southeast Queens, Staten Island, and the South Bronx.

If possible, the team will work to help keep New Yorkers on the verge of foreclosure in their homes. When necessary, it will apply the fines.

For comments, questions or concerns, please contact our New York commercial real estate editor Bendix Anderson

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