North Rhine‑Westphalia intends to support municipalities in the fight against derelict properties by filing a resolution in the Bundesrat.
Premier Hendrik Wüst (CDU) told the “Rheinische Post” that the issue of derelict buildings had been debated nationwide before the municipal elections but, unjustly, slipped out of focus afterward.
He said that abandoned buildings and systematic social‑fraud schemes have led to the exploitation of residents and created widespread anxieties in neighbourhoods. “It is therefore crucial that we act on all levels and keep our words matched by deeds” Wüst added. “On Friday we will table a Bundesrat initiative that aims to give local governments more options to intervene”.
The premier explained that derelict properties often involve criminal owners. “We need a compulsory purchase right for municipalities in forced‑auction proceedings. Only then can they take possession of the buildings and put an end to these untenable conditions” he said. “I urge my colleagues in other states to join us. We must finally make progress on this point”.
He also highlighted the need for better information flow between agencies. “The police and fire brigade must finally be able to inform the job centres that a property is uninhabitable. The federal government should empower job centres to act on that information” Wüst said. “We cannot stand by, paralyzed by fear, while criminals systematically exploit people and cities deteriorate. People must see the state and its politicians as determined and capable of taking action”.