Receivership occurs when the Court appoints a third party (the receiver) to take control of a vacant property and auction it to a buyer who can rehab it. Under receivership, a municipality or qualified non-profit applies to the Court to be appointed as the "receiver" of the property to return it to use. This tool has been used primarily by the City of Baltimore, but Salisbury and Frederick have also passed receivership ordinances.
Find more information on the Baltimore City receivership process (PDF)
And a copy of Salisbury's receivership ordinance (PDF).