Want To Report A Derelict Vehicle or Building?
Reporting derelict buildings and vehicles has never been easier:
1) Visit Our Portal: Access our dedicated portal via any web browser (CLICK HERE).
2) Submit Details: Provide information about the abandoned structure or vehicle, including location, description, and any other relevant details.
3) Upload Images: Attach clear photos to support your report and facilitate accurate identification.
What Is a Derelict Building?
A derelict building is an unoccupied, abandoned, dilapidated structure that is structurally unsound. It may provide a home for disease-causing vermin which may adversely impact environmental quality, human health, public safety and cause discomfort to the general public.
What Is a Derelict Vehicle?
A derelict vehicle is an abandoned automobile, truck, or other vehicular parts that may provide harbourage for rodents and other vermin.
What Are The Effects On The Environment From Derelict Buildings and Vehicles?
- They can affect the visual amenity of the area.
- The presence of pests could lead to the spread of diseases such as dengue.
- There may also be substances left behind such as oil and pesticides which can lead to contamination of the soil.
What Is The Role Of The Environmental Protection Department?
The role of the EPD is to reduce the presence of the potential breeding sites for vectors and vermin, remove potential fire, safety, and security hazards from communities, enhance the aesthetics of the urban and rural districts and ensure safe disposal of waste and chemicals. This us executed under the Health Services Act CAP. 44 (1969) Section 11, which gives Government the authority to demolish derelict buildings.
How Are Derelict Buildings Handled?
Derelict buildings are identified by officers of the Environmental Protection Department or reported by Environmental Health Officers and the general public. Buildings are investigated by the Department to determine if they are derelict; and if they are, notices are served to the landowners for their demolition.
Derelict building notices are served under the Health Services Act CAP. 44 (1969) Section 11, which gives Government the authority to demolish derelict buildings.
Notices are served for the improvement or cleaning up of the buildings, if this is not done by the stipulated time, then the department takes action to have the building removed in order to remove the environmental threat and threat to human health. (The notice is not served for the demolition in the initial stages, demolition is a last resort)
A notice gives the owner twenty-one (21) days from the date of the notice to demolish the derelict building. After twenty-one (21) days, a list of derelict buildings is published in the newspaper, giving the owner an additional fourteen (14) days to adhere to the notice.
The Government may proceed with the demolition of the derelict building if the owner does not comply with the notice. Section 11 of the Health Services Act CAP. 44 states that a reasonable cost is recovered from the owner, as a debt due to the crown.
How Are Derelict Vehicles Handled?
Derelict vehicles, like derelict buildings, are identified by officers of the Environmental Protection Department or reported by Environmental Health Officers and the general public. Vehicles are investigated by the Department to determine if they are derelict; and if they are, a notice is served to the owner for its disposal.
Derelict vehicle notices are served under the Health Services (Collection and Disposal of Refuse) Regulations, 1975, Section 15A, which gives the Government the authority to dispose of derelict vehicles.
A notice gives the owner seven (7) days from the date of the notice to remove the derelict vehicle(s).
The Government may proceed to have the derelict vehicle(s) removed and disposed of if the owner does not comply with the notice. Reasonable expenses incurred may be recovered from the owner?
How are derelict Vehicles and Buildings Disposed?
Derelict vehicles are disposed at a government-approved site and demolished derelict buildings are disposed at the Mangrove Pond Landfill.
What Can I Do To Stop A Notice?
An owner of a derelict building may be granted a stay of execution by the Environmental Protection Department for additional time to carry out repairs or renovations. A written request for an extension of the statutory time period of the notice served must be made to the Department by the owner (or the owner’s agent) of the derelict building.