Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949

6 Additional powers of local authorities in relation to groups of premises. E+W+S

(1) If it appears to the local authority that rats or mice are found in substantial numbers on any land comprising premises in the occupation of different persons and that it is expedient to deal with the land as one unit for the purpose of destroying rats or mice or keeping the land so far as practicable free from rats and mice, they may, without serving notices under section four of this Act on the occupiers or owners of those premises, themselves take in relation to the land such steps as they consider necessary or expedient for the purpose aforesaid:

Provided that the steps taken by the local authority under this section shall not exclude the carrying out of any structural work.

(2) Without prejudice to the provisions of section twenty-two of this Act requiring notice to be given before entry upon land under that section, a local authority shall, before taking any steps under this section in relation to any premises, give to the occupier at least seven days’ notice of their intention to do so, specifying the steps proposed to be taken.

(3) Any expenses reasonable incurred by a local authority in taking steps under this section in relation to any land may be recovered by that authority from the several occupiers of the premises comprised in that land in such proportion as may be just having regard to the cost of the work done on the several premises.

(4) For the purposes of this section, any premises which are unoccupied shall be deemed to be in the occupation of the owner, and references in this section to the occupier shall be construed accordingly.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 6 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by Cowes Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1216), art. 1(1), Sch.

C2 S. 6 modified (E.) (6.4.2010) by Portsmouth Port Health Authority Order 2010 (S.I. 2010/1217), art. 1(1), Sch.