The City of Cape Town says its Problem Building Unit has 922 properties on its list with 35% of these active investigations.

The Law Enforcement Problem Building Unit has addressed problem properties across the metro since the amendment of the Problem Property By-Law in 2020.

Problem buildings are categorised into groups based on their status within the investigation process. Off the 922 properties listed, 322 properties are active cases with other categories including new cases (11 properties), recommended closures (72 properties), and closed cases (517 properties).

The municipality says that closed cases are monitored for a minimum of two years to ensure continued compliance. However, if the Problem Building Unit receives a new complaint, the case is reopened.

The Problem Building Unit still faces challenges including deceased estates with no executor or living relatives often resulting in legal limbo as well as properties with registered owners living outside of South Africa – who cannot be located.

The Problem Property By-law (2020) defines what constitutes as a problem building, divided into two categories: properties with legal, safety, or health-related non-compliance and properties with aesthetic or minor maintenance issues such as unpainted surfaces, broken windows, or overgrown grass.

The City says that with every reported case, its Problem Building Unit conducts an on-site assessment to determine whether the property meets the criteria in accordance with the By-law following which the registered owner is formally notified and given an opportunity to comply. Failure to comply within the prescribed period will result in the property being registered as a problem building.

Residents can report problem buildings by sending a detailed complaint to the unit’s email address at problembuilding.unit@capetown.gov.za. Alternatively, by phoning the PECC on 021 480 7700 from a cell phone or 107 from a landline.