A DERELICT house in Bluff has caused a furor of concern from the residents of Hilltop Road who have been dealing with high noise levels, constant drinking and at one point an outbreak of Tuberculosis among the 30 people who have occupied the building.
Andy Rossell from the Brighton Beach CPF, said the house is privately owned. The residents, who chose not to be identified, said they live there rent-free,and are only asked by the owner to look after an aerial that is housed at the back of the property as well as a room with equipment.
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The Health Department is expected to visit the property in the coming week to check on the TB status as it was reported that most of them did contract the infectious disease last year, although the dwellers claim that it is been cleared. “They are living in squalor conditions, that is one of the problems. I feel very sorry for them and with that being said, being the chairman of the CPF, I have to address the problems of the surrounding residents who have complained of the noise every night and the foot traffic of guests and residents in and out of the house. We want to work with them to resolve the problems we have here,” said Rossell.
The house was sub-divided into a number of rooms about three years ago. There is no electricity and only one toilet for the entire household.
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The residents agreed with Rossell and have assured him that they are trying to set up a committee to help deal with the issues.
Ward 66 councillor JP Prinsloo, said a few months ago he arranged a meeting with all the departments that have established a group to deal with problem buildings and slum houses in the Bluff. “We have 30 buildings we listed and we had a planned operation in the last week of February and visited the houses, which Hilltop was one of the top ones. After the inspection, we noted the irregularities including safety, living condition, the condition of the house, safety of those living in the house and those living around the house in the areas. Notices were given to the house owner and he was given time to respond to them and rectify the issues,” he said.
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