By Kisean Joseph
Abandoned properties in the nation’s capital are one step closer to demolition.
A multifaceted approach for their removal – aimed at abandoned houses and buildings in St John’s that have fallen into disrepair – was announced by Cabinet yesterday.
These structures, scattered across many streets, have not only become eyesores but also pose significant security and health risks to the community.
“What we have discovered is that some criminals hide away ammunition and guns in these derelict buildings,” the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Lionel Hurst told media yesterday.
“Additionally, individuals using illicit substances sometimes use these buildings as places to engage in other illegal activities.”
The Attorney General is set to propose legislation to Parliament that will establish a clear process for dealing with these properties.
The proposed law will allow for the publication of notices, giving property owners a 60-day window to step forward and take action to remove buildings that are deemed threats to health and security.
If no response is received from the owners within this period, an Amenities Order will be issued. This will empower the Central Board of Health to remove the derelict building and clear any unwanted vegetation that has overgrown it.
The plan also addresses the financial implications of abandoned properties. Many of these derelict buildings have accumulated significant debts in unpaid annual land taxes.
The government intends to create a comprehensive register of all debts owed, including costs for vegetation removal, building demolition, and unpaid land taxes.
In cases where the total debt exceeds 50 percent of the property’s value, the government, likely through the Ministry of Legal Affairs, will intervene and auction these properties. This measure aims to recoup costs and potentially put these spaces back into productive use.
Hurst said careful consideration would be given to crafting the legislation, to ensure it provides the government with the necessary authority to act while also protecting property rights.
“We are very careful in crafting the legislation that will allow the government not only to remove the derelict building and the vegetation that has grown up around it but also to keep it clean,” he stated.
It is hoped the efforts will improve the overall aesthetics of the capital and enhance public safety by removing potential criminal hideouts, and potentially increase property values in affected neighbourhoods.
