City clamps down on problem properties

Nthatisi Modingoane, City of Johannesburg spokesperson said the proposed bylaw was essential to addressing the city’s challenges regarding dilapidated buildings and hijacked buildings, which have led to health and fire risks, lack of credit control and revenue collection.

He explained that people hijacked buildings by claiming ownership and collecting rent from tenants without being a legal trust or body corporate.

The draft bylaw defines a building or property as problematic if water and electricity and rates have not been paid for three months of a twelve-month period, or if illegal water, electricity or sewer connections have been made to the property.

Additionally, properties that are unhygienic, unsightly, overcrowded or have become operating grounds for criminal activity will also be in violation of the draft bylaw. Should the proposed bylaw be passed, the city council aims to identify, control and manage dilapidated and problem properties by assigning authorised officials to conduct building inspections.

Modingoane added that people may be removed from problematic buildings if the responsible person did not comply with provisions of the bylaw after a written notice had been served. In addition, the draft bylaw stipulates that the person responsible for a property can be issued a fine if the property is in violation of the bylaw provisions following the written notice.

Public meetings will be held on 16 and 23 November. Public submissions can also be faxed to 011 403 6808 or emailed to LouisaR@joburg.org.za.