St. John’s Rural South MP Daryll Matthew has issued a strong call for action against abandoned and decaying buildings, describing them as “havens for criminals and rodents” during Thursday’s parliamentary debate on the Tax Administration and Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2025.
Speaking in support of the measure, Matthew said the legislation will finally give government the tools to address derelict and neglected properties that have become eyesores and public health hazards in communities across the island.
He revealed that a recent survey in the Lower Ottos area of his constituency identified 151 abandoned properties, many of which, he said, are overrun with vegetation, vermin, and criminal activity.
“These properties have become havens for criminals and hotels for rodents,” Matthew told the House. “We have an opportunity to turn what is now decay into development — to turn a nuisance into something nice.”
The MP said the bill represents a practical way to improve the appearance and safety of neighborhoods while restoring a sense of civic pride.
He urged that the new legal powers be used not only to collect unpaid property taxes but also to beautify communities and make land available for productive use.
Matthew proposed that properties acquired through the process could be converted into green spaces, playgrounds, or housing lots, especially for residents living near the abandoned sites.
“We can capitalize on all the opportunities that this bill presents by allowing us to beautify our communities, make land available to persons who live in and around those derelict properties, and remove the safe haven for criminals,” he said.
He also recommended the introduction of an escrow system to protect the proceeds of property sales in cases where an owner or heir later reappears, and suggested that stamp duty be waived for buyers who purchase derelict lots through public auction to encourage redevelopment.
Matthew concluded that the measure is not about dispossessing citizens but about revitalizing communities and ensuring public safety. “This is a chance to improve the quality of life for everyone,” he said.
“We have been elected to solve problems, not allow them to rot in our neighborhoods.”
The Tax Administration and Procedure (Amendment) Bill 2025 passed later that day with the government’s majority support.
