Peterborough Council to forcibly auction off nine properties over unpaid council rates

An SA council is selling off properties over about half a million in unpaid rates – so, looking for a cheap home and a huge project?

The house at 94 Hill Street West. Picture: Mark Brake

A council in the state’s Mid-North will forcibly auction off nine properties on Friday over nearly half a millions dollars in unpaid rates.

Peterborough Council will sell the properties at the town hall after the owners defaulted on their council rates for more than three years.

When The Advertiser visited the homes, the majority of the homes were unoccupied and in a state of disrepair.

Three had extensive damage, were boarded up and had overgrown gardens.

A neighbour to one of the homes, who didn’t wish to be named, said the previous owner had not been at the property in months.

One of the properties to be sold – this one is on Fowlers Rd. Picture: File

That property still had several rate notices stapled to the door when The Advertiser knocked on the door.

The properties on Queen St, Kitchener St, Fowlers St, Hill St, Dawson Rd, Princess St and Bourke St are among 29 in the council’s area with outstanding rates for more than three years, amounting to $200,000.

“The remaining properties have made arrangements with council to pay their rates including outstanding amounts, which is a great outcome for everyone,” a spokesman said.

Legislation allows councils to forcibly auction off properties if the owners have not paid rates for more than three years.

Councils must tell the landowner of its sale plans, including details of any outstanding debts.

After the notice, landowners then have a month to settle the unpaid amount before the auction.

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A property on Queen St, Peterborough, that’s set to be auctioned. Picture: File

The Peterborough home at 29 Kitchener St. Picture Mark Brake

The main Street of Peterborough. Picture: Brett Hartwig

Previously speaking to The Advertiser, Wardle Co Real Estate’s selling agent, Angus Barnden, anticipated significant interest in properties despite levels of neglect.

He said the homes would likely not sell for more than $80,000, vacant land plots could sell between $30,000 to $40,000, and one home could sell for $50,000.

He believed the property prices “will drive the interest”, because of the current house prices in metropolitan areas.

“If you look at Adelaide, the average price is a million dollars and even in the suburbs the average price is $600,000 but not everyone can afford that,” Mr Barnden said.

“If you buy (a house) for $50,000 and put some new floors in and a kitchen and bathroom and maybe clean up the yard it might cost you around 100 grand – but you’ve still got a liveable house for 150 grand and where else can you buy for that?’’.

A no trespassing sign outsaid 29 Kitchener St, Peterborough. Picture Mark Brake

The rates notice on the door of at 94 Hill Street West, Peterborough. Picture Mark Brake

The house at 94 Hill Street West Peterborough, set to be auctioned off. Picture Mark Brake

The house at 106 Queen St, Peterborough, which will be sold.

Across SA, about 100 other properties qualify for forcible auctions over unpaid rates.

Barunga West Council has 46 and will auction off a vacant parcel of land in the coming months.

It is owed $131,861 in unpaid rates as of February 25, compared with $213,653 in the previous year.

Coober Pedy Council is owed $666,895 in outstanding rates in total as of March 31, compared with $538,000.

It has 16 properties that qualify to be sold off – those total $30,595 in unpaid rates – but the council has not yet scheduled auctions because it has not yet followed processes outlined in the Local Government Act.

Kimba Council has about 40 properties with outstanding unpaid council rates totalling $68,000. None of the properties with arrears will proceed to auction.

Other regional SA councils either have no properties they are auctioning off over unpaid rates, or did not respond to queries.

Originally published as Peterborough Council to forcibly auction off nine properties over unpaid council rates