The Bill aims to provide councils with a modern, consistent, fit-for-purpose Northern Ireland-wide enforcement regime to deal with the negative impact of dilapidated and dangerous buildings, as well as neglected sites.

Minister Muir has said: “The problems we have with dilapidated buildings and neglected sites across Northern Ireland are starkly evident. They are a blight on our neighbourhoods that can pose an unacceptable risk to public safety.

“The Dilapidation Bill will seek to address this problem, ensuring local people can live and work in attractive neighbourhoods, as well as benefit from the associated investment in the area that can come as a result.

“The Bill aims to empower councils to issue a range of enforcement notices to require owners, occupiers and others with a relevant interest to take appropriate action to deal with dilapidation and neglect. It would also allow councils to take such action themselves, where required, and recover costs from the relevant person.

“People should be able to take pride in their local area, but when buildings are left to crumble to ruin, it is the entire community that suffers the consequences. This Bill seeks to help right that wrong, and give councils the power to take meaningful action to tackle dilapidation and dangerous buildings.”