Filthy and infested premises

Under the Public Health Acts, Salford City Council has the power to deal with cleansing of filthy and verminous premises, plus the cleansing or destruction of filthy or verminous articles and the cleansing of verminous persons and their clothing.

There are occasions when we have to deal with filthy or verminous premises, articles and persons. We become aware of these cases via neighbours or social workers and their clients, home helps or from other council officers. It could start with the home help saying she would not clean the premises unless the infestation is cleared.

We may have to move the occupier into alternative accommodation while the premises are cleaned up. In cases where we cannot get the cooperation of the owner or occupier we may be compelled to serve a statutory notice on the owner or occupier to take such steps as may be necessary to remedy the condition of the premises by cleansing and disinfecting them and the notice may require the removal of wallpaper and other covering of the walls and where there is evidence of vermin, the taking of such steps as may be necessary for destroying or removing vermin.

There may be arrangements for the cleansing of persons and their clothing. If the persons in question consent, the cleansing can be done at a cleansing station. If they do not consent, the council may apply to a court, and if the court is satisfied may make an order for them to be removed to a cleansing station to be cleansed.

There is also a provision relating to the cleansing of verminous articles. If the council is satisfied that the article is so filthy as to render its cleansing, purification or destruction necessary in order to prevent injury or danger of injury to any person, the council shall cause the article to be cleansed, purified, disinfected or destroyed as the case may be at their expense and if necessary for that purpose to be removed from the premises.

Salford City Council has the power to enter a premises if the owner or occupier refuses access. Sometimes, the local police will discover a dead body in a house and we have to treat the premises before the undertaker removes the corpse.

This page was last updated on 3 October 2009