Bluff Ratepayers Association to conduct survey of illegal cabins
Dwellings erected on private property that do not conform to standard building regulations are neither legal nor safe for occupation.
While the Bluff Ratepayers Association (BRA) sympathises with those who lost their possessions in the fire at 22 Stott Road and commends the aid given to the victims (SUN, 17 April), the unfortunate incident relates to the flouting of town planning regulations.
Dwellings erected on private property that do not conform to standard building regulations are neither legal nor safe for occupation. Yet unscrupulous landlords are erecting structures called cabins and renting them out to those who are desperate for accommodation.
In doing so, these landlords are exploiting the plight of the needy without any regard for their safety. Town planning law enforcement needs to be proactive in requiring the removal of these structures and to subject those landlords to hefty fines. Besides, the illegality of such structures has a negative effect on surrounding property values which, in turn, depreciates the Metro’s rates base.
The Bluff Ratepayers Association will conduct a survey of such properties in order to expedite Metro prosecution of defaulters.
