Sometimes, the government needs to take action.

And that’s what Troy city leaders did on Tuesday, pressing the issue of some long-dilapidated housing on North Three Notch and Montgomery streets.

The six properties, two on Montgomery and four on North Three Notch, are owned by a Florida couple who do business through Historical Rentals Inc.

Their plans, at one point, were to renovate and restore the properties. But work has long-since stalled.

According to the city records, no building permit has been requested in the last eight years. And that means Troy residents have had to endure the eyesores as they crumbled and decayed.

On Tuesday, the council members set an Oct. 28 deadline for the property owners to come forth with a plan for repairing the structures. If that deadline isn’t met, the city will move forward with plans to demolish the buildings.

It’s the right approach for city leaders who have a responsibility to step in and remove dangerous structures or eyesores if the property owners cannot or will not do so themselves.

We’re not fond of encouraging government intervention in most cases, but this one warrants action.