With all due respect to Michael Frank Owen (October 7) I must assure him that the solution about vacant premises is nottaxation but in taking the bullby the horns. May I refer him tomy article (June 2) in whichI highlighted some of the problems involved.

Aware of such problems, I had sold all my various shares in a number of properties in Valletta and Floriana.
Nevertheless, these same properties are mainly still vacant and no solution seems to be in sight. Apart from the jigsawpuzzle of certain buildings, since the 1930s the number of owners (heirs) has multiplied by geometric proportions.
To compound the Herculean problems, many are involved in long drawn legal battles.

If I am not mistaken, the longest cases in our courts of law involve heirs and divisions.

Another problem is that as the law stands today, the government cannot take over such properties unless for social or national needs.

I do not suggest taxation, as the majority of heirs cannot do anything. In fact they feel veryfrustrated. I suggest a two-pronged attack.

First, that a special court be appointed just for these Gordian knotty problems. If need be a law should be passed to empower the court to take drastic action to hasten the hearings, especially when heirs cannot be traced.
Second, that the government issues a legal notice enumerating a few properties at a time giving the owners some time (say one year) to upgrade or redevelop such buildings after which period the government would take over the property at a justifiable price and offer it to developers.

I feel that nobody would be deprived of his property ifthe owners do not want, or cannot, do anything about the problems involved.