Derelict house on the verge of collapse
The Building Inspector was instructed to issue an unauthorised building work notice for same. The necessary prosecution process will follow if not regularised in line with the contents of the notice.
A BUILDING which pose as a health hazard and a danger zone in Hillary is under inspection as its structure is at a high risk of collapsing.
Ward 65 councillor, Samantha Windvogel said the house in Woodlands Avenue is indeed an accident waiting to happen.
“What makes this matter worse is that there are people residing in this property, around the building,” she said.
ALSO READ: Historic Kloof building is an eyesore
The findings of the investigation as aligned to the National Building Regulations and Building Standards Act No.: 103 of 1977 as amended provided to the councillor are that three incomplete outbuildings exist on site one of which is unauthorised and un-habitable. The Building Inspector was instructed to issue an unauthorised building work notice for same. The necessary prosecution process will follow if not regularised in line with the contents of the notice.
The main dwelling is indeed in danger of structural failure and was wrapped around with chevron/danger tape, which they believe was a temporary measure.
The tenants were using a water tap on the side of the house to wash their clothes, to which they were immediately stopped from doing so due to the imminent danger but Cllr Windvogel said the tenants were still using the tap conected to the house.
ALSO READ: Lahee Park is ‘a disgrace’
The said tenants (who were on the property at the time) were made to understand that the house may be in danger of failure at any time and that they must not allow their families or any persons to venture within close proximity of the house in question. The Building Inspector was instructed to urgently communicate with the owner of the property and to ensure that he/she installs a wire mesh fence (or equivalent) of 1,2m in height within a safe distance around the house within seven days in order to ensure that the tenants living on the property or others do not traverse or wander into the danger zone.
According to the City’s Building Inspector Team the owner is to apply for a demolition permit prior to commencing with the demolition work. “We must be fair and afford the owner ample opportunity to remedy the situation in line with the aforementioned prior to enacting the necessary as the Municipality,” it stated.
“Nonetheless, running parallel and due to an apparent apathetic attitude by the owner, the Enforcement & Prosecution Branch will be appraised of this matter for application to and adjudication by the Magistrate’s Court due to the nature and complexity of the transgression (and that is dependent on the response from the owner with latest intervention),” said the report.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
