The 'Trash House' of 13th Street
Last week we ran a photo of a row of houses on 13th Street between 3rd and 4th avenues, and a reader who’s thinking of buying on the street got in touch about one of the properties pictured, which she referred to as the “trash house.” She said neighbors tell her garbage has been piled…
Last week we ran a photo of a row of houses on 13th Street between 3rd and 4th avenues, and a reader who’s thinking of buying on the street got in touch about one of the properties pictured, which she referred to as the “trash house.” She said neighbors tell her garbage has been piled up outside 196 13th Street for more than 12 years, and there’s “been recent complaint activity although it’s been INCREDIBLY tough to get an answer/get any action to get the place cleaned up–apparently since the trash doesn’t go beyond his property line, it’s okay-ish?” We swung by and talked to a couple neighbors on the block who also said that the house has been this way for more than a decade, which seems to be confirmed by a DOB violation on record from 2000 about “debris piled up at front.” Anyone know if the neighbors have any recourse in a situation like this, or do they just have to deal with the unsightly—and most likely unsanitary—mess? Click through for a close-up of the garbage… GMAP
I’ve seen half a dozen “Hoarders” episodes and honestly, most of these people seem nearly beyond medical help that it almost makes me feel helpless just looking at this photo.
But the city is the city, we live on top of each other, and no matter how sick someone is they need to respect this. Of course, getting angry isn’t going to help, but just because someone is sick doesn’t mean neighbors can’t be firm about their position. That is downright nasty, and probably harboring a significant amount of urban species. Probably a good place to hide a body too.
i take it that “curb” in the photo is actually the sidewalk / property line?
The City Government too often fails to deal with such cases where drastic and definite action is needed and its a disgrace. It isnt just situations like this, it is abandoned or decrepit houses that sit for decades, its mentally ill people who need to be taken off the streets, its tenants in rental buildings who refuse to cooperate (due to mental illness or otherwise) in dealing with things like bedbugs and leaks, and it goes on and on.
The city is great about ticketing and enforcing laws and rules against the population that is willing or capable of responding, but is seemingly powerless against those people who just definitively ignore regular norms or rules.
This is advanced hoarding. Can you imagine what the house looks like inside?
Maybe Fire Department would respond in some way as a safety issue…
absolutely! And unlike many other emotional/psychological disorders there are no medicines yet to treat this condition.