Plea to fix million-dollar 'eyesore'

Photo / Doug Sherring

It could be one of the most expensive abandoned houses in New Zealand.

But neighbours say it's an eyesore and finally they are going to get something done about it.

The house, at 9 Paritai Drive in Auckland's Orakei, is valued at $1.7 million. But no one has lived in it for about 20 years and squatters have moved in and out over the years. The property is overgrown and the house needs a paint.

On Friday Auckland Council agreed and issued a notice to owner Douglas McIntyre to tidy it up. A spokesman said council staff would ask McIntyre to keep the property tidy.

Raymond Chan, who has lived in a $3.56 million house next door for the past 16 years, said the house had never been occupied.

"Squatters started a fire just before Christmas and the police contacted the owner but I haven't seen anyone in the house in months," he said.

He had also seen the locks broken regularly.

McIntyre said he had not been contacted by the council and would not discuss the matter with the Herald on Sunday.

Another neighbour, who refused to be named, said she had complained to the council previously about the state of the house.

"It looks awful. I complained to the council but they told me they couldn't do anything about it and it wasn't a safety issue because the swimming pool was fenced off and children couldn't get in. I told them there were rats there but it didn't make any difference."

But neighbours were relieved action would be taken.

Police had been called to the house several times to deal with squatters, she said.

"It's very odd. Why would you own a house like that for 20 years, not rent it out or live in it and let it fall into disrepair? I can't understand it."

People have been eager to buy the property and real estate agents had approached McIntyre, but he did not want to sell. Another neighbour said the place was an "eyesore".

"It's terrible. It's not nice for the area. I would like to see it tidied up and someone living in it. You never know who's in the area when there's all kind of guys hanging round."

She had been inside the house when it was owned by the previous owner.

"It was a beautiful family home. It has a spa pool, a swimming pool, beautiful views. Now look at it," she said.

The house has been owned by McIntyre since 1991.