Neighbours couldn't open their windows because of a "foul smell" emanating from an abandoned house.
The property, in Margaret Road in L4, had been empty for five years, with an overgrown garden and a pungent aroma which caused locals to keep all their windows firmly shut. The house also had a broken window at the front and waste at the rear.
Another abandoned property, in Scorton Street in L6, has also been empty for five years and was found with a yard full of waste. The owners of both of the properties have not been prosecuted by Liverpool City Council.
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In both cases the property owners 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.
Liverpool City 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.”
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