Abandoned properties, or houses without owners, are a problem in many communities in Västerbotten, especially in villages and smaller rural areas.

The problem is twofold: While complicated regulations make it difficult for the authorities to stop the decay or demolish the building, there has recently been a growing trend for more people to buy and renovate abandoned houses. 

This trend has accelerated as more newcomers move into the region - many of these immigrants with families, want to move into the countryside, rather than the city.

Norsjö municipality has its share of derelict properties, including in Bastuträsk, where the local council has carried out a survey.

Now the municipality is considering applying for the expropriation of a house and treating the case as a pilot project.

The house in question is located at Skolgatan 12 in Bastuträsk, a building that used to be a grocery store and gas station, but has been abandoned and dilapidated for a long time, something the municipality now wants to address.

Getting approval for a property expropriation is a complex process that involves multiple agencies, including the municipality, the county board, the land registry, and the government.

At the same time, there are lessons to be learned from pursuing such a case, and if the project is successful, the municipality hopes to pursue more similar cases in the future.

As a first step, the issue will be discussed in the General Committee on Tuesday. A decision could then be made at the October council meeting.

The absence of an owner for a house could be due to various factors, such as abandonment due to a company's bankruptcy or an incomplete property acquisition.