| Problem Building Unit: More than double cases closed year-on-year | Problem Building Unit: More than double cases closed year-on-year | | <img alt="" src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/PublishingImages/City%20news.jpg" style="BORDER:0px solid;" /> | <div>The City’s Problem Building Unit has more than doubled the number of cases closed year-on-year. The unit has also been expanded and continues to address a rising number of complaints about buildings left abandoned or fall into ruin. </div><div><br><br></div><p><br></p> | <div>During the last financial year, from July 2023 to June 2024, this specialised Law Enforcement unit closed 425 cases, compared to 207 the previous year.</div><div><br></div><div>In addition, the PBU has had 27 new problem buildings declared. It currently has an average of 291 active cases in various stages of investigation, and initiated legal proceedings against 55 property owners. </div><div><br></div><div>The City's Problem Building Unit enforces the Problem Property By-law 2020 to identify, react to complaints and manage dilapidated and potential problem buildings.<br></div><div><br></div><div><span><p><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/building1.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:813px;" /></p></span>The 13-staff strong unit is guided by the by-law on how to deal with potential problem buildings.</div><div><br></div><div>The procedure is generally as follows:</div><div><ul><li>a compliance notice is issued first and if the owner is non-responsive, further action is taken, including declaring a problem building</li><li>instituting a tariff which is charged to the owner's municipal account or legal action to compel the owner to act</li></ul></div><div>'The phenomena of problem buildings are on the rise across the country, and indeed the world, as owners face hardships or simply abandon their properties due to the dysfunctional provisions in the PIE Act that make it impossible for private or public land owners to effectively protect their property. However, this creates a problem for the city as these properties become a home for squatters and criminals, and are generally left to decay abysmally impacting the residents around it. These buildings can become dangerous as they are used as dump sites and are health and fire hazards. Then there is the environmental impact and the associated costs to contend with,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.</div><div><br></div><div><span><p><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/building2.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:844px;" /></p></span>Other challenges include properties that have been abandoned by the owners, deceased estates and properties that have become subject to illegal occupation. </div><div><br></div><div>‘The unit is making great strides in addressing the problem, and we are constantly adapting to ensure we can be more efficient and effective as a unit but these are complex matters that take time, and our staff have to act in accordance with the by-law. I encourage residents to report potential problem buildings to Law Enforcement, the sooner it gets reported, the sooner our staff can act to limit the impact on the neighbourhood,' added Alderman Smith.</div><div><br></div><div>Law Enforcement officers can only act and follow the process as regulated by the Problem Property By-law once a neighbour or affected parties have officially lodged a complaint against the owner of a potential problem building.<br></div><div><br></div><div><span><p><img src="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/cityassets/Media%20Images%202/building3.jpg" class="responsive" alt="" style="width:804px;" /></p></span>For detail on procedural and legislative rules pertaining to problem buildings, the by-law can be accessed here: </div><div><p><a href="https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Problem%20Building%20By-law%202010.pdf">https://resource.capetown.gov.za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Problem%20Building%20By-law%202010.pdf</a></p><p>Problem Building Complaints can be reported to the City’s 24-hour emergency control room on 021 480 7700 from a cell phone or 107 from a landline.<br></p></div><div><strong>End</strong><br></div><p><br></p> | 2024-09-07T22:00:00Z | GP0|#1d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70;L0|#01d539e44-7c8c-4646-887d-386dc1d95d70|City news;GTSet|#62efe227-07aa-45e7-944c-ceebacca891d | | | | | GP0|#526876ce-425c-41c6-b99b-3152faa620a5;L0|#0526876ce-425c-41c6-b99b-3152faa620a5|problem building;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb;GP0|#941a1f2e-8cb2-4353-a449-a3eeda583014;L0|#0941a1f2e-8cb2-4353-a449-a3eeda583014|Problem Building Unit;GTSet|#2e3de6c1-9951-4747-8f53-470629a399bb | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | 0 |
