Absentee landlords urged to 'invest or sell up'
Councillor Joseph GhayoubaAbsentee landlords whose properties are blighting a town centre should "invest or sell up", a councillor says.
A number of shop units in Whitehaven, Cumbria, have fallen into disrepair with several having been empty for more than a decade, according to Joseph Ghayouba.
The Labour representative said the local authority was taking steps to address the issue, but warned legal processes being followed were unlikely to bring a quick resolution.
Cumberland Council said it wanted to "ensure building owners take responsibility for their sites" and would "seek to use enforcement powers" where necessary.
King Street was an area of particular concern, Ghayouba said.
"There are some really good, responsible businesses there and some positives with new ones opening, but they are finding it hard because of the properties around them.
"Some are causing an environmental health hazard because they're attracting vermin and have wildlife nesting.
"They're also impacting neighbouring properties with damp and mould.
"Some are not watertight."
'Take a loss'
Ghayouba said several property owners did not live in the town and were difficult to contact.
Many, he claimed, were also asking for high rents and should lower their expectations in order to secure tenants.
"Either invest and get people in or sell up," he added. "That's my message to landlords.
"If they aren't looking to invest, they need to sell at a realistic price and take a loss because it's their fault the property is in such a bad state."
Ghayouba said the Labour-led council had issued enforcement notices to two landlords in order to have them carry out repairs.
He also called for the authority to investigate the use of powers available through the national High Street Rental Auctions scheme, which allows properties to be let out if efforts to work with their landlords have failed.
Council leader Mark Fryer said earlier this year it was "unacceptable" some owners had let their buildings deteriorate so significantly.
In a bid to tackle the problem, the authority offered grants of up to £15,000 to spend on empty properties or up to £5,000 to spruce up shop fronts if the unit was already in use.
In a new statement, the council said it remained "committed to improving Whitehaven" with a draft development masterplan drawn up.
"This sets out ambitious new plans for the town and also addresses the key challenges of empty units," it added.
"We want to ensure building owners take responsibility for their sites and, where appropriate, will seek to use enforcement powers."