Neighbours angry as abandoned Heathmont house in Edna St attracts squatters

It's got a burnt-out car in the driveway, trolleys in the backyard, and is infested with animals. And now neighbours of this Heathmont house, abandoned for 20 years, fear it’s causing another serious problem.

A house in Edna St, Heathmont, has been abandoned for 20 years. Picture: Penny Stephens

A Heathmont house which has been abandoned for 20 years is attracting squatters, neighbours say.

The house, at 14 Edna St, has unkept lawns, boarded-up windows and algae on its roof.

There is also a burnt-out car in the driveway and trolleys in the backyard.

Edna St’s Megan, who didn’t want to use her surname, said the house had been abandoned for about 20 years, and she had seen squatters at the house as recently as two weeks ago.

She also believed it was infested with animals.

“There’s an awful lot of rats and mice, and if they ever knock it down, half the possums in Heathmont will lose their room,” she said.

Megan understood the house’s owner died a few years ago and their family had plans to clean up the site in the near future.

The burnt-out, trashed car sitting in the driveway at 14 Edna St in Heathmont. Picture: Penny Stephens

The house has boarded-up windows and doors hanging open. Picture: Penny Stephens

Maroondah councillor Kylie Spears said council officers had visited the house on various occasions but didn’t see any evidence of squatters.

She said the council did not have the power to order demolition of the house unless it was structurally unsound or posed a risk to the public and nearby homes.

“Council’s health, local laws and building surveyor have inspected the property and have processes in place to monitor the ongoing condition of the property,” Cr Spears said.

The council declared squatters were the responsibility of police and the property owner.

Meanwhile, a group of longstanding abandoned houses in Croydon are finally being demolished.

The houses, on the corner of Anzac St and Gallipoli Pde, are to be knocked down for a townhouse development.

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Their state has drawn ongoing concern from nearby neighbours who have seen young people and squatters continually break in and cause damage.

Maroondah Council took compliance action against the site owners in May after discovering they had delayed demolition.

Fencing and signage from a demolition company surrounded the houses when Maroondah Leader visited last week.

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