The property manager of a Newtown house gutted by fire is bewildered as to why no one seemed to have any authority to sort out the neighbouring derelict house where the fire started.
The Wellington house, along with the one next door was completely destroyed on Sunday night.
Matt Donnelly has managed the property right next door to the derelict house for the last decade and told reporter Emma Hatton they had been making complaints for years but nothing was done.
The Wellington City Council says it had planned to visit the property yesterday - before the fire took hold the night before.
It says its powers are restrictive but it had tried to work out the problems with a number of parties, including the property owner.
