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Clairemont Hoarder Home: Who's going to clean up this mess

The City Attorney's Office has obtained the appointment of a receiver to oversee the clean-up of a Clairemont property where boats, trucks and cars have piled up in the front and side yards for yea...

SAN DIEGO (CNS) - The City Attorney's Office has obtained the appointment of a receiver to oversee the clean-up of a Clairemont property where boats, trucks and cars have piled up in the front and side yards for years, it was announced Thursday.

Neighbors started to complain about debris piling up on the property in the 4000 block of Epanow Ave. more than five years ago, said San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott.

City Code Enforcement inspectors found the resident, a man in his 60s, living in dangerous and deplorable conditions.

The interior of the house had only a narrow pathway from the front door to the bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen, with household items, trash and debris stacked 4-to-5-feet high on all sides, severely limiting ingress and egress. The back door was blocked and unusable due to excess storage and trash.

The garage also was piled high with household items, tools and debris. San Diego County Vector Control confirmed the presence of rats.

Last February, the city ordered the property owner to vacate and repair the home. Subsequent inspections showed no improvements.

On Aug. 9, the City Attorney's Office filed a civil complaint for the appointment of a receiver and abatement of the public nuisance. The receiver will oversee clean-up and repairs and arrange for support services for the defendant

"The appointment of the receiver will give the homeowner the immediate resources necessary to clean up the property and obtain the support he needs to prevent future hoarding behavior that endangers himself and others. "These situations are unsafe for property owners and frustrating for the entire neighborhood. We appreciate those who cared enough to bring this problem to the city's attention."

The city will recover the costs of rehabilitation, clean up, attorney fees and receiver fees from the property owner.

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