House & Apartment

Condition

How to respond

Vacant or abandoned buildings

• Cause fire hazards,
• Allow for pest or insect infestations,
• Contain hazardous materials, or
• Allow for criminal activity.

Missing windows or doors can allow unsecured access.

Report unsafe buildings or structures to the town or city.  They can inspect the structure. They can order the owner to repair or remove the hazard. Sometimes you can go to court to get the owner to make the conditions safe.

Broken or abandoned motor vehicles are a hazard. They can become sites for criminal activity, trash dumping, or pests.

Report an abandoned vehicle to the town’s police. Or report to the appropriate government department. This could be the Streets and Sanitation department.  The city can order the owner to remove the vehicle.

Garbage, debris, and waste must be properly contained. Otherwise, it can attract pests, spread disease, or catch fire. It can cause harm to people and animals.

Report waste to the town’s non-emergency department (call 311). You can also call the appropriate local government agency. For example, the Streets and Sanitation department.

Air or water pollution result from emissions of motor vehicles. They can result from power plants, and industrial plants. Open air burning of debris, such as a bonfire, can pollute the air.

If a company causes pollution, file a Citizen Pollution Complaint. This is with the IEPA. If a neighbor is causing pollution, contact your local government.

You and your neighbors are entitled to quiet enjoyment. This means you cannot create noise pollution. Examples of noise pollution include loud music and barking dogs.

Direct your complaints of neighbors or visitors to the local police. For industrial noise, contact the IEPA.