Prime Minister Gaston Browne has vowed to crack down on absentee homeowners who rent out dilapidated properties to non-nationals, as part of a broader effort to address urban decay and improve housing standards in Antigua and Barbuda.

Speaking over the weekend, Browne expressed deep concern over the growing number of derelict homes being rented to non-national tenants by owners who live abroad. He described the situation as exploitative, with tenants left to endure substandard living conditions while landlords collect rent from overseas.

“These uninhabitable structures are not only a blight on our communities but also a threat to the health and safety of the people who are forced to live in them,” the Prime Minister said.

The government is now considering legislative reforms that would enable authorities to intervene more effectively, including the possible removal of abandoned and unsafe properties. The move is part of a wider plan to revitalise St John’s and surrounding areas.

According to Browne, once tenants are evicted or move out of these rundown homes, many of the buildings are left vacant and quickly fall into further disrepair, contributing to urban blight and depressing surrounding property values.

The Prime Minister stressed that housing should be a right, not a risk, and reiterated his administration’s commitment to ensuring safe and decent living conditions for all residents, regardless of their nationality.

Further details on the proposed legislation are expected in the coming weeks, as the government ramps up efforts to tackle the housing crisis and restore dignity to affected communities.