A documentation mix-up forced a Newark man to live next to a vacant lot infested with vermin and filled with junk.

Ron Hodge called the yard behind the houses on North 13th Street a breeding ground for rats and mosquitoes. He says his complaints to city officials to clean the property went unanswered. It turned out bureaucratic mix-ups prevented the city from cleaning the lot.

The city had previously sent Hodge's landlord $1,500 worth of citations in regards to the garbage and rat-filled property. By contacting the tax assessor's office, News 12 New Jersey learned the land is actually owned by three different people - two New Jersey residents and another person from Virginia.

Hours after News 12 New Jersey spoke with the tax office, Health and Human Services arrived at the property to set traps and remove the rats.

The city has since assured Hodge they will remove the garbage from the lot as well.