(WSBT) What do you do when your neighbors move out, and crime moves in? It's a problem for many homeowners living near vacant houses.

In South Bend, there are more than 2,000 vacant houses, and they are taking a toll on neighborhoods.

High property taxes, one of the highest foreclosure rates, and absentee landlords have all contributed to this problem.

One landlord says it’s a vicious cycle. It's hard to get good tenants in the houses, and then to pay for the damage left behind. And it's leaving others to pay the price.

"A vacant house is an open invitation for who knows, drugs, vagrants," Rich Whetstone said.

That's why Whetstone mows the front lawn next door. He says the house has been empty for two years.

“The area where we live, I just want to keep it presentable," he said.

More than six months after a car slammed into the side of the house next to Whetstone, there's still a large hole — and easy access into the house.

“They've broken in so many times, I think it's pathetic and I think they've already stripped out the copper and the wiring in there," Whetstone added.

Last year, South Bend Police were called to vacant houses 150 times.

“Drugs, prostitution, vagrants come in there and are sleeping there and bring with them anything you can imagine, stolen property, the worst of the worst,” Common Councilman Derek Deiter said.

Deiter said up to 40 percent of the houses in his district on South Bend's northwest side are vacant. Some have been vandalized or stripped.

And the fire department is now investigating a rash of what may be arson fires to vacant houses and garages in the area.

“The houses are so close together over there, that that's the scary part if there is a fire, it could become a multiple very easily," Whetstone said.

But what can homeowners do about vacant houses on their street?

Hundreds of these houses are owned by unresponsive banks or out of town landlords who have given up.

The house next door to Whetstone is owned by people in Mishawaka. They say they want nothing to do with the house. They owe more than $9,000 in back taxes and say they have no plans to repair.

“If you see a vacant house in the neighborhood, let us know so we don't find out five or six days later a house is broken into," Cpl. Aaron Cassel with the South Bend Crime Prevention Unit said.

Officials say police and Code Enforcement should be called anytime anyone is seen around a vacant house. They also say taking care of a vacant house may lead Code Enforcement inspectors to believe it's not empty.

“It's frustrating and a slow process, but if you keep calling, it does work,” Dieter said.

Dieter said a house on Cottage Grove is a prime example. It used to be a haven for vagrants, drugs and much more.

“There was a situation here where a young couple from out of state had been renting a room from a street person,” Dieter said. “He told them he owned the house and he had nothing to do with the house and he told them he would beat them up if they didn't pay rent."

The Near Northwest Neighborhood Association recently refurbished and sold it as a single family home. The group rehabilitates 11 houses each year, and focuses on areas where neighbors are invested.

"There’s a lot of vacant houses in the area, but there's a lot of positives in the area, a lot of good schools, good parks and things of that nature and I think as residents we need to relay to other folks why we’re living here,” Karen Ainsley with the association said.

The city has a new tool when it comes to vacant houses. If an owner declares bankruptcy, it doesn't mean they don't have to take care of the house.

Earlier this year, a court ruled an owner is still responsible for the upkeep until the bank officially declares ownership and takes responsibility for the house.

The city said it's already seeing progress.

The South Bend Fire Department said it's also working with Code Enforcement to find funding to board up more vacant houses.

They believe that will help keep people out of them and cut back on fires at vacant houses.