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Defective Dwellings
Repairs.-With regard to houses found not to be in a reasonable
state of repair, the following procedure, classified under two headings
is generally adopted:-
(1) Complaints from or on behalf of the occupier.-The District
Public Health Inspector makes inspection and a preliminary Notice
is sent to the owner specifying the work necessary to abate the
nuisance. Where necessary, the circumstances are reported to the
Health Committee for authority to serve a Notice to enforce abatement
of the nuisance. The premises are reinspected and, if work
required is not executed within a reasonable period, an Abatement
Notice is served. In cases of non-compliance the Town Clerk is
instructed to institute proceedings. Hitherto, under the Public
Health (London) Act, 1936, it was obligatory to serve an Intimation
Notice but only to specify the nature of the nuisance.
(2) Housing Defects.-These are cases where the conditions are
such that they cannot be remedied under the procedure of the
Public Health Act, 1936, and are dealt with under the Housing Act,
1957, as being houses unfit for human habitation. Representations
are made to the Health Committee to consider as to whether such
houses can be repaired at a reasonable cost having regard to the
value of the premises, or whether Closing and Demolition Orders
should be made.
Pigeon Nuisance
A local authority is enabled by Section 74 of the Public Health
Act, 1961, to deal with nuisance arising from the congregation of
pigeons believed to be ownerless.