The Significant Problem of Neglect of Some Buildings in the City

1. Kieran Rose, Senior Planner. 2016
“Property has its
Duties as well as its
Rights”
Thomas Drummond

3. The Significant Problem of Neglect of
Some Buildings in the City

4. The Significant Problem of Neglect of Some
Buildings in the City

5. Possible Study
Examine the behavioural or attitudinal aspects that
underpin this problem of neglect of Buildings by
some property owners
How can such attitudes and behaviours be changed?
International comparisons?
Case study of a particular Street
Models of Good Practice
Aim to publish (first phase) in 3 months
Follows on from Vacant Land Levy report

6. Behavioural Economics
“A price causing a behavioural change – basic
economics.”
Commercial building occupied: 100% Rates
Vacant commercial building: 50% rates
Vacant commercial buildings not capable of beneficial
use: no Rates
Incentivizes property owner's to render their buildings
unusable by removing e.g. lifts etc?

7. Commission on Taxation (2009)
Rates Recommendation
“That the Rates relief on vacant buildings, …
is time-limited so as not to encourage the owner of
premises
to allow it to become dilapidated”
International Comparisons?

8. The Benefits of Public Information
Openness, Transparency, Accountability
Easily accessible public information on ‘who owns
what’ could be a great incentive to property owners
to act responsibly
Aim is a behavioural shift, to ‘nudge’ property owners
into a mind-set that it is their responsibility to
properly look after their buildings

9. The Benefits of Public Information
New OPW online property register for public buildings
and land will be in place by March 2014.
“so that the public can see “for the first time what
we own [and] where we own it”
Would be a model of good practice

10. The Benefits of Public Information
Property Registration Authority. Information on
property ownership:
more easily accessible?
http://www.landirect.ie/eng/
Derelict Sites Register is available on
www.dublincity.ie and www.dublinked.ie

11. Civic Responsibilities
Thomas Street: many dilapidated buildings that
blight the street,
On the other hand …
The Thomas Street Business Association and
others
Volunteering
‘Street Ambassadors’

12. Lord Mayor Oisín Quinn and City Council
supports Thomas Street initiative

13. Responsible Property Ownership: Before Digital Hub Makes
Improvements
8 Thomas Street 7 Thomas Street

14. Digital Hub Provides Basic Improvements

15. Thomas Street Improvements by Property
Owners

16. NAMA improves building …

17. Other Support for Property Owners:
Aungier Street Strategy
Dublin City Council and Dublin Civic trust

19. Model of Good Practice. Heuston South
Quarter, Interim Landscaping by Receiver,
Reddy Architecture, Mitchell and Associates

20. Model of Good Practice. Heuston South
Quarter, Interim Landscaping by Receiver,
Reddy Architecture, Mitchell and Associates

21. Tom Dunne, Head of School of Real Estate,
DIT
“I would imagine that this is being done to enhance the
attractiveness of the blocks that have already been
built.
A good motivation and this elegantly makes the
point that derelict sites depreciate the value of
surrounding properties.
Clearly the receiver thinks it worthwhile to spend
money ameliorating the visual effects …..”