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Dangerous Buildings and Structures

The Building Control Service has the responsibility of dealing with dangerous buildings in the District and is on call 24 hours a day, every day of the year to carry out inspections on buildings and structures that are reported as dangerous.

dangerous building
   
On site the Building Control Officer determines the extent and nature of danger.  This may result in immediate action being taken due to the imminently dangerous condition of the building or part of the building.
Where a building or structure is considered by the Council to be an imminent danger to the public, then the Council can take emergency measures to fence off or remove the danger.  This power would most likely be used in the case of fire damaged or storm damaged buildings requiring immediate action.

In less serious cases it may be necessary only to have the building roped and lamped to prevent members of the public going near the danger.  The owner is then contacted to rectify the situation.  If the danger is not removed within a reasonable time, legal action can be taken against the owner.

If it is considered that a building or structure (or part thereof) is overloaded or in a dangerous condition, then the Council may apply to a Magistrates' Court for an order compelling the owner either to rectify the condition or demolish the building.  If the order is not carried out within the time specified by the court, then the Council may execute the order (using any method they consider applicable) and recover any expenses they incur in doing so from the person in default.  That person is also liable to a fine on summary conviction.  If the condition arises purely from overloading then the court can issue an order which restricts the use of the building until it is satisfied that the danger has been removed.

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