Report a problem building
Problem buildings are a cause of major concern for the City. If you know of one, you can report it to the Problem Buildings Unit.
About
A problem building is a building that is abandoned, dilapidated, in contravention of national building regulations, overcrowded or housing illegal squatters. However, it is important to know that not all buildings with problems are problem buildings. See the table below for a few examples:
| PROBLEM BUILDING | BUILDING WITH PROBLEMS |
|---|
| Abandoned by the owner | Overgrown vegetation |
| Derelict in appearance | Unpainted house |
| Overcrowded and posing a health risk | Derelict vehicles on a property |
| Illegal occupation | Unlawful business |
| Written complaints in respect of criminal activity like drug dealing and prostitution | Land invasion |
| Accumulated refuse or waste material that is dumped, stored or deposited on the property | Construction site |
| Threat or danger to the safety of the general public | Loud noise |
How to report
To report it to the Problem Buildings Unit, you can contact their 24 hour hotline on 021 596 1999.
Alternatively, you can
submit a service request online:
- For ‘Group’, select
Safety and security (Problem buildings)
- For ‘Service’, select
Unkempt / abandoned buildings
- Continue with the steps that follow to submit your service request (C3)
Please ensure your report contains:
- an accurate location of the building; and
- a detailed summary of the nature of the problem.
Once you have made your report, the unit will investigate the building in question and serve a notice to the owner listing any contraventions, and ordering that they be corrected.
If the owner does not do so within the appropriate time, the City will oversee the restoration of the building and bill the cost to the owner of the building. If the building cannot be restored, it may be necessary to facilitate the sale or demolition of the building.
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