WEST SENECA, N.Y. — The fight against so-called zombie homes can claim a victory after a property abandoned by a bank was returned to its owner.

Doris Monger co-owned a home on Bellwood Avenue in West Seneca with her son. Chase Bank foreclosed on the home, and the property deteriorated while it was vacant.

The bank discharged the mortgage, walking away from the property without notifying Monger.

New York State's Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act of 2016, also known as the Zombie Property and Foreclosure Prevention Act, requires banks to keep up properties both inside and out or face penalties.

With the help of elected officials like West Seneca Supervisor Sheila Meegan and Assemblyman Mickey Kearns, the Western New York Law Center found the property still belongs to Monger.

She has a buyer ready to renovate the home and make it liveable again.

"It was the biggest relief I ever had. It was just like somebody had lifted a big weight off my shoulders,” Monger said.