Copper Pipe Theft in Massachusetts

Copper Pipe Theft in Massachusetts

Copper pipe theft is a real problem for homeowners and home buyers in Massachusetts. Once a house is vacant it is open pray to thieves. They watch and once they see that there is no activity they break in and steal the copper pipes. Some signs they look for are if the windows no longer have curtains, mail is backed up in the mailbox, the landscaping is overgrown or there are no tracks or clearing of ways in the snow.

Once the pipes are stolen the properties are more difficult to sell because most buyers don't have either the time, the money or the knowledge to repair it and they are also more difficult to finance. This creates a spiral effect on the market by bringing sale prices down in turn effecting the values of other property in the area.

In an effort to try and stop this the Massachusetts Realtors are working hard trying to get a bill passed in the Senate that will require metal scrap companies to get information from the people bringing in the metal, including a signed statement, photocopy of their ID, and photo and record of the weight of the metal item received if it's valued over $250. These records will then be turned over to police. Hopefully this will dissuade the thieves by making it more difficult to cash in.

The Bill is S.145 'An Act Regulating Secondary Metals Dealing' and more information can be found at : http://t.co/kMuhyVRt

If you own vacant property it is a good idea to walk around and make sure all of the doors and windows are secure. Keep the property looking occupied by hanging window treatments, keeping the yard cut in the fall, spring and summer and walkways shoveled in winter, collect mail and try to stop in often.

Safe Selling!!
Karen