New by-law to tackle derelict buildings
A new by-law will soon be implemented which will focus on derelict buildings in the city.
ETHEKWINI Municipality intends tackling the issue of derelict buildings in the city through the recently gazetted Problem Building By-law.
The by-law aims to provide for the identification, control and rehabilitation of problem buildings in the city, and there will be different admission of guilt fines for different offenses in terms of this by-law.
EThekwini Municipality’s communications head, Tozi Mthethwa, said an example was that the proposed fine for entering, occupying or permitting the occupancy of any problem building which a notice has been served will be R5 000. Hindering an authorised municipal official from exercising their duty will be R1 500.
The proposed fine for failure to comply with a lawful instruction of a municipal official or in terms of the by-law is R1 500, as is failure to comply with a compliance notice.
The maximum penalty for anyone found guilty of an offense under this by-law is a fine not exceeding R500 000, imprisonment not exceeding three years or both the fine and imprisonment.
These are the proposed fines which still have to be approved by the chief magistrate and, once approved, the amounts will be made public.
Mthethwa said this by-law will be enforced in combination with other by-laws, as a problem building usually contravenes the fire by-law, the national building regulations, health and other by-laws.
“The City will be able to issue one summons and combine all the offenses in terms of the by-laws and National Building Regulations. This will allow for coordinated action by the various municipal departments, including Metro Police, to deal with a problem building. It will also allow the full picture to be presented before the court,” she said.
If the matter reaches the High Court, the judge can set a fine up to R500 000.
Further penalties can be imposed if the building owner fails to comply with a compliance notice. They could incur an additional fine not exceeding R5 000 or imprisonment not exceeding 10 days for each day the offense continues.
The by-law is currently in the training and implementation phase, with enforcement expected to be rolled out next year. Officials from the Safer Cities and iTrump Units are being trained to effectively enforce it.
“The by-law outlines steps to identify and label a building as a problem building. This includes buildings that are derelict in appearance or showing signs of becoming unhealthy, unsanitary or unsightly. The building may also be or appear to have been abandoned by the owner, regardless of whether or not rates are being paid. A problem building is also one that is overcrowded, illegally occupied or hijacked,” said Mthethwa.
The by-law also outlines steps to be taken to rehabilitate the building and ensure compliance by owners. This includes issuing a notice of intention to declare it as a problem building to the owner and specifying what aspects of the building are in contravention of the by-law and pose safety risks to occupants. The notice will outline steps the owner must take to rectify the problem building within a stipulated time. This includes possible repairs, renovations, submitting a building plan and removing any source of danger, among others.
“Residents will be kept informed throughout the process with notices affixed at the main entrance of the building. Should the owner fail to comply, a notice will be placed informing occupants that the building is unsafe and that the municipality will seek an eviction order if the owner fails to comply with the compliance notice,” said Mthethwa.
She said a list of possible alternative accommodation and contact details of a municipal official available to assist the occupiers find alternative accommodation will also be included.
To view the by-law in full, visit: https://www.durban.gov.za/Resource_Centre/Pages/By-Laws.aspx.
