This is a copy of the letter that was sent to each individual landlord. One was not sent to the owners of 2201, as it had not yet been a known problem. I no longer have a connection to getting the property owner's addresses from public records, so I don't know who owns this property, although I understand it's some investment group. The property at 2144 I believe is a HUD house. Note the date of the letter. These landlords said that they would not renew the lease - guess what - they are still there. The lease was up in November.
April 30, 2002
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Stathacopoulos
3418 82nd Way North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710-1040
Re: Property located at 2143?—2nd Avenue North
St. Petersburg, Florida
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Stathacopoulos:
The activities taking place on your rental property have gotten the attention of many of the neighbors. There is illegal drug activity being conducted on your property at all hours of the day and night. The community police officer, Officer Kocak has been notified, as well as Sgt. Morton in the narcotics division of the St. Petersburg Police Department.
These activities are creating a public nuisance and is also in close proximity of a child day care center, as well as many neighbors with impressionable children. This is not only a nuisance, but endangers the community and severely reduces property values.
According to Florida Statute 823.05, your property is subject to being declared a nuisance and subject to abatement as provided in s. 60.05 and s. 60.06. The court may allow an injunction against you if you allow these tenants to continue to reside at said premises. To further emphasize the seriousness of this problem, s. 823.01 states the following:
?“Nuisances; penalty.?—All nuisances that tend to annoy the community, injure the health of the citizens in general, or corrupt the public morals are misdemeanors of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083, except that a violation of s. 823.10 is a felony of the third degree?”. s. 823.10 relates to drug activity. (Italics mine).
Your immediate attention to this matter will be appreciated. While we understand that you may temporarily lose some money by evicting these tenants, the temporary loss will pale in comparison to what may be lost by your not taking immediate action.
Homeowners in Historic Kenwood have been working very hard renewing our neighborhood. We take pride in it. We will take whatever measures are necessary, allowable by law, to clean up the area, including litigation.
It is suggested that to avoid these kinds of problems in the future, that all landlords screen their potential tenants carefully. Take applications and actually do a thorough background check. While this method of finding good tenants is not foolproof, it will increase the odds that you will have a tenant that will not only be a good neighbor, but will keep your property in good condition. This will increase your property value, too, and show that you are a responsible citizen contributing to the welfare of all concerned.
Another option would be to fix up your property and put it on the market to make a tidy profit. This would help to reduce the number of rental properties in the area and further upgrade the neighborhood.
A copy of this letter is being sent to the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association as well as all neighbors involved.
Sincerely,
A neighbor in Historic Kenwood
April 30, 2002
Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Stathacopoulos
3418 82nd Way North
St. Petersburg, FL 33710-1040
Re: Property located at 2143?—2nd Avenue North
St. Petersburg, Florida
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Stathacopoulos:
The activities taking place on your rental property have gotten the attention of many of the neighbors. There is illegal drug activity being conducted on your property at all hours of the day and night. The community police officer, Officer Kocak has been notified, as well as Sgt. Morton in the narcotics division of the St. Petersburg Police Department.
These activities are creating a public nuisance and is also in close proximity of a child day care center, as well as many neighbors with impressionable children. This is not only a nuisance, but endangers the community and severely reduces property values.
According to Florida Statute 823.05, your property is subject to being declared a nuisance and subject to abatement as provided in s. 60.05 and s. 60.06. The court may allow an injunction against you if you allow these tenants to continue to reside at said premises. To further emphasize the seriousness of this problem, s. 823.01 states the following:
?“Nuisances; penalty.?—All nuisances that tend to annoy the community, injure the health of the citizens in general, or corrupt the public morals are misdemeanors of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.083, except that a violation of s. 823.10 is a felony of the third degree?”. s. 823.10 relates to drug activity. (Italics mine).
Your immediate attention to this matter will be appreciated. While we understand that you may temporarily lose some money by evicting these tenants, the temporary loss will pale in comparison to what may be lost by your not taking immediate action.
Homeowners in Historic Kenwood have been working very hard renewing our neighborhood. We take pride in it. We will take whatever measures are necessary, allowable by law, to clean up the area, including litigation.
It is suggested that to avoid these kinds of problems in the future, that all landlords screen their potential tenants carefully. Take applications and actually do a thorough background check. While this method of finding good tenants is not foolproof, it will increase the odds that you will have a tenant that will not only be a good neighbor, but will keep your property in good condition. This will increase your property value, too, and show that you are a responsible citizen contributing to the welfare of all concerned.
Another option would be to fix up your property and put it on the market to make a tidy profit. This would help to reduce the number of rental properties in the area and further upgrade the neighborhood.
A copy of this letter is being sent to the Historic Kenwood Neighborhood Association as well as all neighbors involved.
Sincerely,
A neighbor in Historic Kenwood
