Housing Act 1985

220 Power of local housing authority to execute works.

(1) If the works to be carried out in compliance with an improvement notice have not been carried out in whole or in part within the period for compliance, the local housing authority may themselves carry out so much of the works as has not been completed.

(2) If before the expiry of the period for compliance the person who is for the time being the person having control of the dwelling notifies the local housing authority in writing that he does not intend, or is unable to do the works in question, the authority may, if they think fit, do the works before the expiry of that period.

(3) If the local housing authority have reason to believe that the person who is for the time being the person having control of the dwelling does not intend or is unable to do the works in question in compliance with the notice—

(a) they may before the expiry of the period for compliance, but not earlier than six months after the date on which the notice becomes operative, serve on him a notice requiring him to furnish them, within 21 days of the service of the notice, with evidence of his intentions with respect to the carrying out of the works, and

(b) if, from evidence so furnished to them or otherwise, the authority are not satisfied that that person intends to carry out the works in compliance with the notice, they may, if they think fit, do the works before the expiry of the period for compliance.

(4) Not less than 21 days before beginning to do the works the local housing authority shall serve notice of their intention on the occupier of the dwelling, the person having control of the dwelling and on every other person who, to the knowledge of the authority, is an owner, lessee or mortgagee of the dwelling.

(5) in this section the “period for compliance” with an improvement notice is the period specified in the notice or such longer period as the local housing authority may by permission in writing have allowed.

(6) The provisions of Schedule 10 apply with respect to the recovery by the local housing authority of expenses incurred by them under this section.