An unusually high number of properties are set to be put to public auction if their owners fail to settle three years’ worth of overdue rates by the end of the month.
The list started with 13 and is now sitting at nine as the auction date of September 30 approaches.
They include Sierra Lodge, a functioning boutique equestrian agistment and training centre at Miller Rd, Logan Village, which has been advertising its services via Facebook as recently as July 1.
“We offer full care and owner care agistment, including race horse spelling and rehabilitation, lessons and training,” a recent website employment listing for the centre said.
It has 20 stables, an automatic watering system, lights, security, arenas, round yard, float parking and 24/7 on site management. There are 30 post and rail yards with shelters and a 60x20m dressage arena under construction.
Sierra Lodge management was contacted for comment and said they were looking into the matter.
Three other properties slated to go under the hammer are seemingly owned by the one person.
A Logan City Council spokesperson said they only every acquire land for auction as a final resort when rates have remained overdue for more than three years and if that remaining value is more than the value of the land.
“The sale of a property is the final option available to council under the Local Government Act to recover outstanding rates, but council tries to avoid this outcome where possible,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said there was still time for owners to come forward and settle overdue amounts, and payment plans were available.
“Council continues to work with property owners to assist them in addressing their accounts,” the council spokesperson said.
“Accounts can be paid up until the fall of the hammer to stop the sale process and the vast majority of accounts are resolved before an auction takes place.”
It is sometimes difficult to know exactly who owns properties with unpaid rates, Property Hub Beenleigh’s Mark Osmond said.
“It’s really odd to see that (nine properties and three owned by the same person),” he said.
He said there were various potential scenarios which have led to a property being listed by council for auction.
“The possibility is that it could be people who died, or a deceased estate, or they’ve gone and been put into a home, say for example if someone’s got dementia and they’ve gone into a home.”
“One person owns three of the units (in Albert St, Waterford) and might have paid $195-235,000 for them, and if they’re going to auction, they could go for more or less,” he said.
“If you’re looking for investments there might be some opportunity there, but you’d need to be approved by the bank before you can bid.”
