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Forest City banker cited and fined for condition of “nuisance” rental properties in Mason City

1316 North Jefferson
1316 North Jefferson

MASON CITY – A Lake Mills man who works as a banker in Forest City has been cited by Mason City code enforcement at two properties and is likely facing more charges due to the conditions of a third rental house.

Spencer Stensrude, age 28 of Lake Mills who claims via social media to work as a credit analyst at MBT Bank in Forest City, owns nearly a dozen properties in Mason City. City staff tell NIT Stensrude has been a licensed landlord in Mason City since 2011.

One of the properties, 1316 North Jefferson Avenue, was inspected by a city building inspector on May 13, 2015, due to ongoing issues at that location. Stensrude was present, NIT is told, and the house was “white tagged” by the inspector – meaning the home fails to meet city code. The tenant was given until May 28 to vacate the residence.

Mason City police told NIT that at least 13 calls for service were executed at the house within the last year; the reasons range from complaints about animals, suspicion, disorderly disturbances, domestic incidents and a health violation.

According to a neighbor, the rental house was more or less trashed, and little was done to prevent it.

“In one years time they completely destroyed that house,” the Mason City man told NIT. “The plumbing has been destroyed, all the carpeting ripped out, (probably because of the two dogs doing their thing on it). Garbage all through the house, windows and doors broken. When (the tenants) left, they left all the trash, a junk car, broken glass and a garage full of garbage.”

Stensrude has also faced special assessments at this property from the city for what is listed as water repair, weed mowing and sidewalk repair.  Mason City Neighborhood Services staff say Stensrude will be cited and law enforcement will be paying him a visit.

“We are just now writing the citation for 1316 N. Jefferson,” Neighborhood Services Manager Pat Otto told NIT. “His citations require personal service from the Winnebago Sheriff’s office.”  Once delivered the citations, he will have a court date on the citations connected to his rental property at 1316 North Jefferson.

Stensrude has also created two other “nuisance” properties in Mason City in his career as a landlord: 118 North Madison and 238 8th Street SE.

City staff again tell NIT that Stensrude was cited and hauled into court by the city of Mason City due to the conditions he allowed these two properties to denigrate into. NIT requested details on these citations.

“The particular court case you are referring to is for 118 N. Madison and 238 8th Street SE” Ms. Otto told NIT.  “The charges ‘Allowed the creation and maintenance of a nuisance’ – junk rubbish and refuse accumulation.”

A judge found Stensrude had violated city code and fined him $50 per count. He was ordered to pay a total of $304.55 in fines and court costs, and was placed on a payment plan.

NIT photographed the outside of these three properties.  118 North Madison is strewn with garbage, trash and weeds.  It appears to have been “white-tagged” by building inspectors.  238 8th Street SE is overgrown with weeds and is vacant.  NIT has knowledge of the inside this house.  Despite extensive “renovations”, the house appeared to be in extremely poor condition with rotting floors, walls and ceilings.  1316 North Jefferson also appeared to be in very poor condition.

Now, the city appears to be on the hook to clean up Stensrude’s properties.

“We are waiting on a return call from an asset protection company that has been hired for 118 N. Madison and we are getting bids for clean up at 238 8th St. SE,” Ms. Otto explained.

Via social media, Spencer Stensrude claims he’s “passionate about my work and becoming the best person that I can be.” He also says “Before joining MBT, I was able to build experience in the real estate, insurance, and investment industries which has proven itself to be very valuable.”

118 N. Madison weeds
118 N. Madison: Weeds to go with trash all over the yard
118 N. Madison trash
118 N. Madison: More trash and debris in the yard
118 N. Madison: Garbage on a staircase
118 N. Madison: Garbage on a staircase leading to second floor
118 N. Madison: White tagged
118 N. Madison: White tagged
238 8th Street SE: Weeds and unkempt lawn.  Teh interior of the house appeared to be questionable as to whether a person could safely live inside.
238 8th Street SE: Weeds and unkempt lawn. The interior of the house appeared to be questionable as to whether a person could safely live inside.
238 8th Street SE: Vacant
238 8th Street SE: Vacant
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