A KOONDOOLA property in a “state of disrepair” is being put up for sale by the City of Wanneroo to recover money owed.
Rates have not been paid for the Whitehouse Drive property since 2010 and outstanding charges are nearly $12,000.
The registered owner was a business, of which the sole director died in mid-2010, and the Australian Securities and Investments Commission now has control of it.
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A report by the City said it was contacted by WA Police in November 2015 regarding the home, which had deteriorated into disrepair.
“All attempts by administration to recover the outstanding rates and service charges through the debt recovery process have failed,” it said.
“The City has declared the property unfit for human habitation and erected temporary fencing around the property to make it safe.”
The company was deregistered in December 2011 and its property ownership transferred to the commission, which does not object to sale of the land.
According to the report, the City would not usually sell a property to recover debt but believed it to be the only option.
In the past 15 years, it has taken possession of four unoccupied properties though only proceeded with sale once as the other three times the owners sold it themselves and settled debts.
If the rates remain unpaid, the City will auction the land in the next three to 12 months.
The Local Government Act 1995 stipulates how the proceeds of sale will be used, requiring any balance after money is recouped and associated charges paid to be given to the person entitled to the land before its sale.
If this is not done after a year then it will be paid to the Supreme Court.