The City has noted a sharp spike in problem buildings, with its specialised officers linked to its Problem Building Unit having closed 425 cases during this financial year, compared to 207 the previous year.
It further declared 27 structures as new problem buildings while the unit currently has 291 active cases in various stages of investigation.
Safety and security mayco members said the unit has initiated legal proceedings against 55 property owners.
“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 Smith.
He said other challenges included properties that have been abandoned by the owners, deceased estates and properties that have become subject to illegal occupation.
The City's Problem Building Unit consisting of 13-staff enforces the Problem Property By-law 2020 to identify, react to complaints and manage dilapidated and potential problem buildings.
“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,” Smith said.
For details on procedural and legislative rules pertaining to problem buildings, the by-law can be accessed here:https://resource.capetown.gov. za/documentcentre/Documents/Bylaws%20and%20policies/Problem%20Building%20By-law%202010. pdf Problem Building Complaints can be reported to the City’s 24-hour emergency control room on 021 480 7700 from a landline.
Cape Times