Manchester town hall has been granted the power by a court to formally close and seal off the property in Crumpsall, which bosses say has been 'a blight on the community for years'.
It is now an offence for anyone other than the owner, a council agent or member of the emergency services to enter it for the next three months.
That period could be extended if the issues are not resolved. Neighbours 'frequently' complained to the council that the owner of the large private property on Seymour Road, Abdul Raza Saddiqui, 52, was 'failing to maintain it properly or prevent its use for criminal activity', the council said in a statement.
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