City set to tackle ‘problem properties’
"Dilapidated buildings and erven are an increasing problem across the City," says Councillor Brian Watkyns, Chairperson of the Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee.
"These properties are usually unsightly, unhealthy, and become the centre of anti-social behaviour and criminal activities.
"While there are adequate by-laws to deal with ‘problem properties’, there are practical difficulties in implementing legislation.
"More often than not, the owners are absent or deceased. In some cases, a defaulting bond holder has simply abandoned the property. There are usually large rates or services bills owing to the City.
"In some instances, these buildings are occupied illegally or are being rented out illegally by persons other than the owners.
"The Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee (Pepco) has now endorsed a strategy to rid Cape Town of problem properties to the ultimate benefit of the entire metropole," says Watkyns.
The strategy will be co-ordinated by the City’s Planning and Building Development Management Department and implemented through its eight district planning offices.
"Our Department will work closely with the City’s departments for Heritage Resources, Health, Fire & Safety, Finance, Legal, and Law Enforcement," says Piet van Zyl, Executive Director for Strategy and Planning.
"Problem buildings can generally be defined as properties that contravene national building regulations; are overcrowded or in a deplorable state; are the subject of numerous complaints from the public; invaded by illegal squatters; or pose a serious health or safety risk.
"During the past year, the City has received numerous complaints from the public throughout the Metropolitan area in this regard. However, without a proper strategy in place, it has been difficult to follow up on each complaint.
"In terms of the new policy, on receipt of a complaint the City’s project team will first collate all the relevant data that Council has on file regarding the property by conducting a ‘desktop’ investigation. Thereafter, there will be a multi-departmental inspection to determine which laws are being contravened.
"Once the owner has been located, the City will serve a joint notice setting out all contraventions with a deadline for compliance. It can also invite owners to discuss the contraventions, and implement its debt management policy or take legal action where necessary," says Van Zyl.
Long-term solutions include the restoration, redevelopment or disposal of the problem property. In the case of a heritage status building, the project team will liaise with City Heritage to arrive at a solution.
Issued by the Communication Department, City of Cape Town
Media queries:
*Cllr Brian Watkyns, Chairperson, Planning and Environment Portfolio Committee, Tel: (021) 531 7601or Cell: 083 444 4807
*Piet Van Zyl, Executive Director for Strategy and Planning, Tel: 021 400 4483 or Cell: 084 264 2226
