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Ruinous and Dilapidated Property

The Environmental Health Department is also empowered to take action in relation to ruinous and/or dilapidated buildings under the provisions of the Pollution Control and Local Government (N.I.) Order 1978: Article 66 (Ruinous and Dilapidated Buildings and Neglected Sites). Buildings that become run down can have a detrimental effect on their neighbourhood and contribute to antisocial behaviour, vandalism, arson and vermin infestations. Our policy is to protect residents and visitors from buildings and structures which, by reason of their ruinous and/or dilapidated condition, are considered seriously detrimental to the amenities of the neighbourhood in which they are located.

The Council is committed to responding to all reports and complaints regarding ruinous and dilapidated buildings in an efficient manner and to dealing proactively with all buildings in an efficient manner and to dealing proactively with all buildings discovered as being in a ruinous and dilapidated condition within limitations of available resources.

Open and Vacant Properties

Open and vacant properties that no-one is using and which have windows or outside doors unsecured; that is the doors are not locked or are missing. It is important that these properties are safe and don't cause a threat to the public. If you tell us about an open and empty property we will contact the building owner and ask them to remove the danger by either securing or demolishing the property.

Dilapidated Buildings

Council also has powers to tackle dilapidated buildings that are deemed to be seriously detrimental to the amenity of the area. Such buildings contribute to antisocial behaviour, vandalism, arson and vermin infestations.

Dangerous Structures

The Councils Building Control Department will deal with 'dangerous structures' and can take action on buildings, parts of buildings or other structures which cause a structural threat. They may be dangerous because they could collpase or are a danger to anyone in or around them, or anyone using a nearby public road or footpath.

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