Residents living near an abandoned mobile home on Ridge Road in Carroll County, Georgia, say the property has become a health and safety concern after two years of accumulating rubbish, vermin and illegal dumping. County officials have located the owner, Buckhead-based JB Partners LLC, and are preparing to issue citations.
The 780-square-foot mobile home stands on a half-acre plot that has been vacant since the death of its former tenant. Neighbours say the property has not been maintained or rented out again, while rubbish has gathered behind the building and weeds have spread across the garden.
Abandoned mobile home becomes neighbourhood nuisance
Danny Lanning, who lives nearby, said rats and snakes had become a regular problem. He began cutting the grass himself in an effort to stop pests spreading into surrounding gardens.
“When I started mowing that big, tall grass, rats were running everywhere,” he said.
Residents have also reported people arriving at the property to dump tyres and other waste. Amanda Lanning said they had seen vehicles pull into the yard before leaving when those living nearby confronted them.
“We’ve seen people pull up in the yard and dump tyres in the yard,” she said. “But when they see us, they pull off.”
The family said the condition of the property was particularly difficult to endure because it could be seen from their home. Amanda Lanning also said she was worried about possible repercussions for speaking publicly about the problem.
“I’m scared. Repercussions,” she said, describing the situation as “very frustrating”.
Carroll County officials have confirmed they have identified the property owner and intend to bring code enforcement action. However, no date has been announced for JB Partners LLC to appear in court or for the site to be cleared.
It is also unclear what action the county would take if the company failed to comply with the citations. Officials have indicated that county legal staff are not currently pursuing an abatement process to remove the rubbish themselves.
Mr Lanning said he had continued mowing the front lawn to protect his family from the pests. “The rats, the snakes, the garbage piles in the backyard,” he said. “I’m going to keep it mowed.”
