East Ridge staff report mortgage hurdles, interior hazards at condemned 3612 Whitehead Avenue
April 09, 2026 | East Ridge, Hamilton County, Tennessee
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East Ridge staff updated the council on cleanup and enforcement options for the condemned house at 3612 Whitehead Avenue and recommended steps to ensure the exterior is maintained while sale or remediation proceedings continue.
A staff member said Miss Lisa, the property owner, is not living at the house and has been trying to pursue a short sale with her mortgage company. The staff member said a contracted professional cleaning was canceled when the owner chose to pursue a sale. "She cancelled that apparently because she decided that she wanted to sell," the staff member said, and added that interior biohazard conditions remain unresolved.
On neighbor and public safety concerns, the staff member told the council, "I will say it's not posing a threat to the neighbors," noting the principal risk is to the owner. Staff also said they were uncertain whether animal services had returned and mentioned efforts to remove personal belongings, including reference to a cat the owner checks on.
Council members discussed whether the city should obtain cleanup bids now or wait; staff said soliciting bids could waste city clearance funds if the owner completes a sale or allows the property to transfer to a new owner. The staff member suggested placing a continuing order on the property to require exterior maintenance (grass and yard upkeep) while interior remediation or sale efforts continue.
Staff proposed contacting Mr. Richie and Mr. Lichford to identify the mortgage company so the city can notify the lender of the property's condition. The staff member said they speak with Miss Lisa about once a week and could require her to appear before the council if she becomes noncompliant.
A council member used a round figure during the discussion: "Let's say it's $100,000,000," the member said as an illustrative example; the transcript indicates this was a hypothetical example and the property's actual valuation was not specified.
The council asked staff to continue monitoring the property and to pursue lender contact and enforcement steps as appropriate; the transcript segments provided do not record a final vote on a specific enforcement order in the provided text.
A staff member said Miss Lisa, the property owner, is not living at the house and has been trying to pursue a short sale with her mortgage company. The staff member said a contracted professional cleaning was canceled when the owner chose to pursue a sale. "She cancelled that apparently because she decided that she wanted to sell," the staff member said, and added that interior biohazard conditions remain unresolved.
On neighbor and public safety concerns, the staff member told the council, "I will say it's not posing a threat to the neighbors," noting the principal risk is to the owner. Staff also said they were uncertain whether animal services had returned and mentioned efforts to remove personal belongings, including reference to a cat the owner checks on.
Council members discussed whether the city should obtain cleanup bids now or wait; staff said soliciting bids could waste city clearance funds if the owner completes a sale or allows the property to transfer to a new owner. The staff member suggested placing a continuing order on the property to require exterior maintenance (grass and yard upkeep) while interior remediation or sale efforts continue.
Staff proposed contacting Mr. Richie and Mr. Lichford to identify the mortgage company so the city can notify the lender of the property's condition. The staff member said they speak with Miss Lisa about once a week and could require her to appear before the council if she becomes noncompliant.
A council member used a round figure during the discussion: "Let's say it's $100,000,000," the member said as an illustrative example; the transcript indicates this was a hypothetical example and the property's actual valuation was not specified.
The council asked staff to continue monitoring the property and to pursue lender contact and enforcement steps as appropriate; the transcript segments provided do not record a final vote on a specific enforcement order in the provided text.
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