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Brevard County 'house of horrors' cleanup delayed again
A long-troubled home in Indialantic, long described by neighbors as a "house of horrors," remains a source of frustration after Brevard County officials granted the homeowner another 30 days to remove trash and debris.
INDIALANTIC, Fla. - A long-troubled property in Brevard County described by neighbors as a "house of horrors" remains a source of frustration after officials granted the homeowner additional time to clean it up.
For nearly a decade, residents along Atlantic Avenue have complained about conditions at the home, citing health and safety concerns including rodents, insects and reports of human waste in nearby yards.
What they're saying:
The home reached the maximum allowable fines for code violations involving unsafe structures, junk vehicles, and overgrown property.
While the homeowner was eventually cleared out and the house officially condemned in December, the problems inside remain. Piles of trash and debris were left behind, creating a breeding ground for rodents that neighbors say multiply every few weeks.
"I am shaking at this point," said neighbor Cheryl Cataldo. "I’ve been waiting 10 years to have this house out of my face."
Another extension
At a magistrate hearing on Thursday, neighbors hoped for a definitive resolution. Instead, the county granted the homeowner another 30-day extension to clear out the trash and debris remaining inside the structure.
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The decision came as a shock to residents, especially since the homeowner did not even show up to the hearing.
"Right now, the homeowner is nowhere to be found at this junk house," said neighbor Susan Brennan. "[She] gets more rights than us."
Neighborhood nightmare continues
The frustration at the hearing grew when the magistrate judge declined to let the gathered neighbors speak. Many had attended specifically to explain the daily reality of living next to the infestation and the stench coming from the property.
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"People came, the neighborhood's here and no one could even take a minute to say yes you can make a comment," Brennan said. "They immediately said no."
The lack of progress and the inability to voice their concerns left many in attendance feeling defeated.
"I don’t know how to feel right now," Cataldo said. "I am shaking. I am so upset with how things are run, with the county, with the court system, I am just so upset. This is so bad."
For those living on Atlantic Avenue, the legal process feels like a barrier to the safety of their own homes.
"Very disappointing," Brennan added.
"They need to change the laws," said Cataldo. "The laws need to be changed."
The Source: FOX 35 Reporter Esther Bower attended the hearing on March 19, 2026. She has visited the property on several occasions also in the past.