Spokane Valley sues JP Morgan Chase Bank trying to recoup expenses from nuisance ‘zombie property’

Neighbors are drawing a sigh of relief after squatters were evicted from a nuisance property at 11112 E. 17th Ave. in Spokane Valley.

The rancher has been without power for some time and had broken cars and trash piled in a front yard covered in dog feces.

The city of Spokane Valley is now suing JP Morgan Chase Bank, and the unnamed occupants of the property, trying to recoup some of its expenses.

“The bank foreclosed on the property within the last couple of months,” said Erik Lamb, Spokane Valley deputy city attorney. “There are limitations under the law as to how the bank can get even squatters out – it can be a lengthy process.”

Lamb said squatters were evicted Wednesday because the home was unsafe and unfit for human occupancy, as power and gas to the property had been turned off.

Neighbors said squatters burned trash and parts of the interior of the home in the fireplace, and that vehicles were constantly coming and going. Over the years, neighbors made countless calls to authorities and some said they are relieved to see the home boarded up and empty.

One neighbor said the home’s residents stole power from her using an extension cord.

Lamb said another property in the neighborhood, at 11414 E. 16th Ave., is being cleaned up, too.

“That one is a little different as initially we had an order to clean up all the junk around the property,” Lamb said. “But now it has no power and no gas, so it’s unsafe for human occupancy.”

Zombie properties – homes that were foreclosed on and are now owned by holding companies and banks located in other states – often fall into disrepair.

Lamb said it can be a challenge to find out who exactly owns a ghost property, but this one wasn’t too difficult.

“It’s a nice neighborhood. We hope something can get into it and clean it up,” Lamb said. “Though it will probably take a lot of time and money to get it to where you can live there.”