The Cabinet has finalized plans for removing derelict houses and properties across St. John’s.
According to the Cabinet, many streets have abandoned houses and buildings that have been left to deteriorate.
The Cabinet believes these properties give neighbourhoods an unsightly appearance, and opines that they serve as hiding places for weapons and as dens for illicit drug use.
The Attorney General will propose legislation to Parliament that, if passed, would allow for the publication of notices giving property owners an opportunity to remove buildings deemed by the Cabinet to be threats to health and security.
The proposed legislation would introduce a probable 60-day response period for owners.
Under the planned legislation, if no response is received from the owners, an Amenities Order could be issued. This order would authorize the Central Board of Health to remove the building considered derelict and any unwanted vegetation, and the cost of removal would be charged against the property.
The Cabinet’s plan includes computing taxes owed by the property owner and adding this to the liability incurred as a debt.
When the debt exceeds 50% of the property’s value, the Development Control Authority (DCA) and the Inland Revenue Department would move to recover the debt through a forced sale of the property.
Any excess funds from such sales would be set aside in a special account and the Court may later award these funds to the owner or the rightful descendant of a deceased property owner.
