Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs Minister, Andrew Muir, has welcomed Stormont Executive approval to bring forward the Dilapidation Bill to the Assembly.
The Bill aims to provide district councils with a modern, consistent, fit-for-purpose Northern Ireland-wide enforcement regime to deal with the negative impact of dilapidated and dangerous buildings, as well as neglected sites.
The Bill reflects the powers already available to enforcement bodies in the rest of the UK.
It will also significantly enhance the cost recovery powers available to councils, making the option of them carrying out the relevant works themselves much more viable.
Minister Muir said: “We can all see the problems with dilapidated buildings and neglected sites across Northern Ireland, which are a blight on our neighbourhoods that can pose an unacceptable danger to the public.
“People should be able to take pride in their local area, but when buildings are left to deteriorate, it is the entire community that suffers the consequences.
“The Dilapidation Bill will seek to address this problem, ensuring local people can live and work in attractive neighbourhoods and benefit from the associated investment in an area that can come as a result,” he added.
The Bill would empower councils to issue a range of enforcement notices to require owners, occupiers and others with a relevant interest to take appropriate remedial action to deal with dilapidation and neglect.
It also allows councils to take such action itself, where required, and recover its costs from the relevant person.
It is currently envisaged that the Dilapidation Bill be introduced to the Assembly before the summer recess.
