Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976

8 Safety of certain unoccupied houses etc.

(1) If it appears to a local authority (other than a county council and the Greater London Council) that any unoccupied premises in its area in respect of which—

(a) an undertaking that the premises shall not be used for human habitation is in force by virtue of section 16(4) of the [1957 c. 56.] Housing Act 1957 or section 60(2) of the [1969 c. 33.] Housing Act 1969; or

(b) a closing order is in force by virtue of section 17, 26 or 35 of the Housing Act 1957, section 26 of the [1961 c. 65.] Housing Act 1961 or section 60 of the Housing Act 1969,

are not effectively secured against unauthorised entry or are, or are likely to become, a danger to public health, the authority may, after giving to each person who is an owner of the premises not less than 48 hours' notice that it proposes to do so, do such works in connection with the premises as the authority thinks fit for the purpose of preventing unauthorised entry to the premises or, as the case may be, for the purpose of preventing the premises from being a danger to public health.

(2) References in the preceding subsection to sections 16(4) and 17 of the said Act of 1957 include references to them as applied by section 18 of that Act.

(3) The preceding provisions of this section shall have effect, in relation to any area which in pursuance of section 40 of the [1969 c. 33.] Housing Act 1969 or section 49 of the [1974 c. 44.] Housing Act 1974 is for the time being declared by the Greater London Council to be a general improvement area or a housing action area, as if in subsection (1) of this section for the words preceding paragraph (a) there were substituted the words " If it appears to the Greater London Council that any unoccupied premises in the area in respect of which—

and for the words " the authority " in both places there were substituted the words " the Council ".