ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - The City of Atlanta is cracking down on blighted property owners.

Mayor Andre Dickens and Council Member Byron Amos have introduced legislation that would create a new “blight tax.”

The measure would add hefty taxes on properties not kept up to code. Samuel Glickman is owner Privado Grooming Barber Shop in Vine City.

Glickman says the vacant building next door has been an ongoing problem, “The building has actually caught on fire there were about 8 squatters in there, the building caught on fire and the squatters were out there for about 20 mins and then they went back in there to a burnt space.”

Glickman says he’s has been trying to get it cleaned up for years, “We cater to everybody, with that being next door sometimes it is intimidating a little.”

City leaders say the new legislation will hold absentee property owners accountable.

Council member Byron Amos the blight tax will complement the city’s code compliance process, “There is a process for you to go through for your property to be labeled as blighted, then we will give you time to bring your property up to code within that time period, if it’s not by January 1st of following year you will be levy-ed an additional tax.”

If a property owner fails to comply, they could see their tax bill increase by 25-times the current property tax rate.

“Everybody - almost everybody pays their taxes. So, this will be an additional tax and hopefully a wakeup call,” said Amos.

Glickman say it’s step in the right direction, “I think so, putting the pressure on the owners to do something with their property, putting pressure on the owner to either renovate or sell it.”

The tax would not apply to a blighted properties that are occupied by a property owner or tenant.

The measure is scheduled to go before a city council committee next week.

If approved, it will then head to city council for a final vote.