The owners of two abandoned properties have been prosecuted by Liverpool City Council.
One property, on Margaret Road in L4 (pictured above), had been empty for over five years with an overgrown garden and a foul smell that prevented neighbours opening their windows. It had a broken window at the front and waste at the rear.
The other home, on Scorton Street in L6, had also been empty for at least five years and had a yard full of waste.
In both cases they had failed to comply with enforcement notices issued under the Prevention of Damage by Pests Act
Both owners were prosecuted at Liverpool Magistrates Court, and found guilty in their absence.
They were fined £660, with a victim surcharge of £264.00 and £904.20 awarded to the council in costs – meaning they each face a total bill of £1,828.
The Council is now reviewing all options – including compulsory purchase orders or taking control of the properties through what is known as an empty dwelling management order.
Councillor Sarah Doyle, Cabinet Member for Housing, said: “Empty properties can cause a misery for neighbouring properties when the owners do not keep them properly maintained.
“When we are made aware of issues we will investigate and take action but our preference is always to work with the owners to resolve the issues informally.
“In these two instances, the owners did not respond to enforcement notices so we were left with no option but to take them to court.
“This is all part of our commitment to improving our neighbourhoods.”
