An empty Carlisle property will be forcibly sold to help settle a council tax bill of £792.40.
The property has stood vacant for several years and has a long history of intervention by the former Carlisle City Council to bring the property back into use.
It has attracted a number of complaints over the years and Cumberland Council this week confirmed that it has begun enforcement action.
It is understood that during the process the property will be put up for sale by the auction and on the open market and, once it is sold, any debt is reclaimed by the council and the remaining amount provides the owner an opportunity to purchase and renovate a property.
A council spokesman said: “We are currently at the initial stages of the enforcement sale process, which allows the owner to settle the debt. We have not taken possession of the property.
“We cannot provide any further details than that already published due to the ongoing legal proceedings.
“We don’t go down the enforced sale route without full consideration and only once we have exhausted every available avenue to work with owners to resolve any debt or unsightly condition issues in relation to a property.
“However, we also have to balance this with the interests of the wider public – both the local residents who have to live with an unsightly property nearby, as well as all Cumberland residents who have to pay for the continued costs and diverted resources associated with dealing with any anti-social behaviour a property in this state can attract.”
According to a council report the legacy policy was adopted by the city council in 2018 and, in this case, an exception had to be made because the outstanding debt was less than £1,000.
The report said: “The property has been the subject of complaints since April 27 2018. Various attempts to contact the owner since 2018 including a home visit have been unsuccessful and the owner has refused to engage.
“The owner was prosecuted on June 4 2020, for failing to engage and complete and return the Section 16 form issued to him. The property has, in the past, caused distress to neighbours due to the defective guttering and condition of the gardens.
“The property is rundown and at risk of attracting anti-social behaviour. Works in default have previously been carried out.
“Over the last three years Cumberland Council has taken enforcement action under a building control notice for dangerous structures and the Town and Country planning act to resolve dangers gutters and overgrown and unkempt front and rear gardens.”
According to the report the current debt to the council was £1,342.48 but in May this year the owner did settle one of the debts owed and repaid £550.08.
The report stated: “Although part of the debt has been repaid the owner has still refused to engage with Cumberland Council regarding the future of the property.
“There is still a debt of £792.40 to be repaid. Final demand notices have been issued with no response. The property has been subject to new recent complaints in August 2023 regarding the guttering.
“It is highly likely more works in default will be required and a new debt will be added onto the property putting the total debt once again above the £1,000 threshold.
“Whilst the owner has settled one outstanding debt, they remain non-compliant and are neglecting to manage the property.
“Enforced sale is the only option left to recover costs and provide the property the opportunity to be looked after and occupied moving forward. All other options have now been exhausted.”
