By Advent Shoko | ZiGoats
The City of Harare has warned property owners to repair, clean up and maintain dilapidated and unsightly buildings and their surroundings or face enforcement action.
In a public notice dated 19 August 2026, the local authority said the directive applies to properties across the capital, including buildings, yards, boundary walls, pavements, access ways and other external areas.
Council said the requirements are being enforced under Chapter 2, Sections 48 and 49 of the Model Building By-Laws, 1977, together with other applicable laws and statutory instruments.
The move comes as Harare continues to struggle with ageing buildings, deteriorating infrastructure and concerns over the appearance and safety of parts of the capital.
Council demands repairs and clean-up
According to the notice, all properties must be kept in a condition that is safe, structurally sound, sanitary, orderly and visually acceptable.
The council said property owners and occupiers must undertake repairs, renovations, repainting, refurbishment, cleaning and other improvements where necessary.
It also singled out owners who have previously received statutory notices or Abatement Orders, urging them to act without further delay.
“The City of Harare accordingly calls upon all property owners, occupiers and responsible persons, particularly those previously served with statutory notices or Abatement Orders, to undertake all necessary repairs, renovations, repainting, refurbishment, cleaning and general improvement works,” the council said.
Harare also warned that boundary walls facing public roads and pedestrian routes must be properly maintained and fitted with suitable external lighting to improve visibility, pedestrian safety and security at night.
Property owners dealing with compliance issues have been directed to the Building Inspectorate, Room 8, Cleveland House, and must have a valid Certificate of Occupation where required.
Owners could face penalties
Council said it would not issue endless warnings to property owners who ignore the directive.
“The City of Harare reserves the right to institute appropriate enforcement measures including penalties against any non-compliant property, owner, occupier or responsible person, in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, without further notice,” the notice said.
The warning is not entirely new.
In January 2026, Harare identified 465 dilapidated and unsightly buildings as non-compliant and gave affected owners 14 days to undertake renovations and refurbishment or face enforcement action.
Zimbabwean law also gives councils powers to regulate dangerous, neglected and dilapidated buildings. The Urban Councils Act provides for model building by-laws dealing with the maintenance, repair, renovation, closure or demolition of buildings that have become dangerous, unhealthy or ruinous.
Residents challenge council to lead by example
The latest notice, however, has triggered a wave of criticism from some members of the public, with residents accusing council of demanding standards from private property owners while allegedly failing to maintain some of its own facilities.
One resident questioned whether council was addressing basic municipal services such as public toilets, rubbish bins, clean water and roads.
“Asking people to do right is a good thing but it starts with the organisation first,” the resident said.
Another pointed to the condition of Cleveland House, where the council itself has directed property owners to report for compliance.
“Lead by example please, start by renovating Cleveland House, that building is dilapidated, very dilapidated,” the resident said.
Another resident questioned the state of the city’s roads and pavements, while others called for more public toilets in the central business district (CBD).
The comments highlight a broader frustration among residents who want Harare to enforce building standards but also expect the local authority to improve public infrastructure and municipal services.
A familiar problem for Harare
The dispute comes against a long-running backdrop of concerns about deteriorating buildings in Harare’s CBD.
In 2024, a building collapse in the city centre killed one person and injured six others, prompting renewed scrutiny of the condition of older buildings. At the time, council officials warned that some structures posed serious safety risks.
Harare has previously argued that enforcing building regulations is not simply about aesthetics but also about protecting residents, workers and pedestrians from unsafe structures.
The latest notice therefore puts property owners on notice that the council intends to use its existing legal powers against properties it considers unsafe, unsanitary or visually unacceptable.
But for many residents, the bigger question is whether the same standards will be applied consistently, including to council-owned buildings and public spaces.
For Harare’s ambitious “Be the Sunshine – Towards a World Class City” vision to gain public support, residents are likely to expect more than enforcement notices. They will also want to see the city itself repairing its roads, maintaining public facilities, improving sanitation and keeping its own properties in acceptable condition.
The message from council is clear: clean up and maintain your property, or risk enforcement. The response from residents is equally clear: lead by example.
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