New Castle County landlord pays $438,000 to rescue properties from sheriff's sale

New Castle County officials reached a settlement this week to return 34 properties after the owner paid a more than $400,000 debt and agreed to maintain the rentals that had amassed hundreds of code violations. 

The Claymont homes were headed for a sheriff's sale in a move to pressure the owner to properly tend to the properties. 

“For the first time in my 14 years on Council, New Castle County has acted decisively to deal with this longstanding problem rental property owner," said the neighborhood's county Councilman John Cartier. 

Landlord George Fantini has owed the county $438,000 in taxes, fees and fines on his 34 properties, leading elected officials to take legal action in July. 

Karen Cheeseman told The News Journal in July she lives next to two of his "disgusting" properties in Edgemoor Gardens. 

Fantini's residences accrued more than 400 code violations, and initially cost New Castle County $22,000 to correct them, county spokesman Jason Miller said.

County Executive Matt Meyer signed an executive order in July to initiate sheriff sale proceedings. 

Fantini responded by fully paying his debt and signing a binding legal agreement with the county, the county announced Thursday. 

The agreement includes providing inspectors access to his rental properties, hiring a licensed contractor to correct all code violations and to make necessary repairs and keeping a licensed property manager to oversee his rental properties. 

All repairs identified by inspectors must be corrected within 30 days, Miller said. 

Brett Saddler, executive director of the Claymont Renaissance Development Corp., said he hopes this is the first of many actions made by the county. 

“This comprehensive agreement makes it clear that the Meyer administration is dead serious regarding landlords and others degrading the communities where they own property,” Saddler said. 

Meyer said every county resident deserves to be safe and secure in their home. 

“Today’s outcome is an important win for the community."

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Contact Josephine Peterson at (302) 324-2856, jhpeterson@delawareonline.com, or Twitter at @jopeterson93.