The City of Cape Town is ramping up its efforts to address the issues surrounding abandoned and dilapidated buildings.
With the Problem Building Unit’s expansion, the city has significantly increased the number of cases resolved each year, more than doubling its annual case closures.
Cape Town’s Problem Building Unit in Action
The Problem Building Unit, operating under the Problem Property By-law 2020, plays a crucial role in managing problematic properties.
This by-law helps the unit identify, respond to complaints, and handle buildings that are falling into disrepair or causing other issues, as detailed on the City of Cape Town’s website.
In recent months, the unit has faced a surge in complaints about abandoned and severely damaged structures.
From July 2023 to June 2024, the unit closed 425 cases, a sharp increase from the 207 cases closed the previous year, according to capetownetc.
How the Unit Operates
The Problem Building Unit, consisting of 13 dedicated staff members, follows a structured approach.
Initially, they issue a compliance notice to the property owner.
If the issue persists, they may impose a tariff on the owner’s municipal account.
Legal action is considered a last resort to compel property owners to address the problems.
JP Smith, the Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, highlights the risks associated with these buildings: “These structures can become dangerous, often turning into dump sites and posing health and fire hazards.”
Beyond safety concerns, there’s also the environmental impact, risk of illegal occupation, and associated costs that come with neglected buildings.
How Residents Can Assist
JP Smith urges residents to report any problematic buildings to Law Enforcement as soon as possible.
Prompt reporting enables the Problem Building Unit to address the issues quickly and mitigate the impact on local neighborhoods.
For the unit to take action, an official complaint must be lodged against the building’s owner.
Residents can report issues by calling the City’s 24-hour emergency control room at 021 480 7700 or by submitting a service request online.
What Qualifies as a Problem Building?
According to the City of Cape Town’s website, a problem building is characterized by abandonment, severe disrepair, non-compliance with national building regulations, overcrowding, or illegal occupancy.
It’s important to note that not every problematic building meets these criteria.
For instance, a construction site or a house with overgrown vegetation does not fall under the category of a problem building.
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