A Maitland oupa is calling on Prasa to demolish a vuil drug den where rats are breeding like rabbits and are even attacking his pit bull.
Trevor Bell, 65, says the derelict huis in Montague Road is a haven for druggies, bergies and teens who have sex at the property, and has been causing headaches for his community.
Bell says he has been living next to the Prasa-owned house for 18 years and is gatvol of chasing brazen rotte out of his home.
“All these houses were first owned by Prasa and then we got a chance to buy it,” he explains.
“The people in that house didn’t have a lease and they were told to leave.
HAD ENOUGH: Trevor Bell, 65. Photo: Monique Duval
“Then we started to slowly see the doors and windows being stolen and about six years ago there was a fire.”
He says as a result of the blaze, a large part of the roof collapsed and Prasa officials arrived and blocked off all the entrances.
“But the druggies just came again and broke through the bricks and started their nonsense.
“They skarrel in the day and then come smoke drugs and sleep here at night.
“I have even seen them have sex here. How can you have sex in a place like that?
RUBBISH: The property is used as a dump. Photo: Monique Duval
“I went to my ward councillor but he said there is nothing the City can do so I complained to Prasa, but they just make promises.”
Bell says the rubbish dumped at the property attracts rats.
“I can’t leave my back door open anymore because the rats run straight in.
“I am so sick of the smell coming from this place and Prasa must demolish this place.”
Prasa spokesman, Marius Wagenaar, did not reply to queries this week.
BITTEN: Socks the Pit bull. Photo: Monique Duval
Mayco Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, has announced plans to amend the Problem Buildings By-law.
He says while the Problem Buildings Unit has made strides over the last nine years in tackling properties that have become derelict or crime havens they are hoping the amendments will give the unit more scope.
Currently, the unit has a caseload of 1 671 properties that are in various stages of investigation.
BITTEN: Socks the Pit bull. Photo: Monique Duval
There are 172 properties that have been declared as problem buildings on its database. He says more than 60 of these are properties owned by national government and Prasa.
Smith says included in the proposed amendments is the provision for a court-appointed administrator in cases of deceased estates without an executor.