Demolition of Derelict Properties

I've been a resident and neighbour to the two properties for 10 years. The properties have attracted a Cannabis Farm, Fly tipping, Rat infestation, Drug use, Heroine needles, Antisocial behaviour, fires, theft, break and entering to name a few. 

We have considered placing our home up for sale but apart from it being very difficult to sell a property because of house prices dropping and negative equity who would want to live next to two run down properties that has caused condensation on our walls, my 3 children suffering with respiratory problems. Needles and rats found in our garden from the property and overgrowth of next door.

The landlords to both properties have left them in such a state of disrepair we were informed that the properties would cost in excess of £50,000 to get into a livable condition or for resale, elements to the properties dilapidated condition includes dry/wet rot, structural weakness in window Lintels/RSJ, no floors, no central heating, no services etc..

The local authority were forced to step in (duty of care) and secure the properties with Screening rental and Perma Doors and Shutters, removal of outbuilding, EHO visits, building control visits, pest control, garden maintainence and emergency building contractors, poll tax arrears etc.. All this at the cost of the taxpayer (US). I've submitted a freedom of information to find out exactly how much it has cost Caerphilly Borough residents over the last 6 years Mmmm! Are you angry? So when your poll tax increases remember this aswell as other local authority events in the last ?? Years.

Recently, a fire had broken out in one of the empty properties and spread into the second empty property before reaching our property, fortunately we have insurance and since the event on boxing day we've been living in rented accommodation.. The insurance costs are spiralling into the 1000's for our property which again could have been prevented if the local authority followed protocol and informed the fire services of the risk, a risk the local authority were well aware of.

4 fire crews attended that evening from 22 30 until 02.30 tackling the blaze to prevent further properties becoming damaged. The cost of fire service was estimated upwards of £80,000+ for their attendance that's without the police attendance.

Over the years break-Ins, ASB were being reported to police, pcsos attended the area on various occasions so you see the costs to the public purse is far more than the cost of the properties worth not to mention people's health and lifestyle being effected. 

The area is very close, friendly and have large families and in the past been a pleasant and proud area to live in although these properties have become damaging to the environment and people living there. The landlords aren't from the area, I suppose if they were they would have some pride and compassion instead of leaving them as an eye-sore and misery to the community.

The only solution would be to remove the properties under a demolition order as I've no confidence and not to mention the amount of public money these have drained from the pockets of the people.

I hope you can sign the petition in order to reinforce the only solution I see fit after battling for 6 years with various bodies and services