Vacant & Foreclosed Property Registration

Vacant Property & Structure Program Purpose

The Village of Swansea adopted an Ordinance establishing regulations governing the registration, maintenance, security, and monitoring of vacant structures and properties by their owners. The registration of vacant structures and properties and the implementation of maintenance and monitoring plans will help encourage property owners to properly maintain the structure and property.

The Vacant Structure Program will improve the social and economic health of the Village by preventing these properties from becoming a burden to the residents and tax payers of the Village of Swansea and provide momentum for returning these properties to their intended use and to the tax rolls.

The abatement of nuisances caused by vacant structures and properties, the repair and rehabilitation of vacant structures and properties with a subsequent occupancy is in the best interests of the citizens of the Village.

Effective Date

This program was approved by the Village Board with an effective date of August 19, 2024.

How to Register

The Vacant & Foreclosed Property Registration is administered by a third-party, MuniReg, in partnership with the Village of Swansea. To register your property, please click here.

Within thirty (30) days of a structure becoming vacant, the owner shall apply for a Vacant Structure Registration Certificate, provide Proof of Insurance, and pay a Vacant Structure Registration fee of $125.00. If the structure is still vacant at the time of the (6) six-month period expiration, the owner shall immediately apply to renew the certificate to avoid a Late Registration Fee of $200.00. 

Any owner of a vacant residential property of one or two units, who is a natural person with insufficient income or resources to fulfill all of the obligations imposed herein, may petition the village for a waiver of the registration or re-registration fee, a reduction of the minimum amount of liability insurance, and/or a waiver of some or all of the property rehabilitation requirements.