ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with professionally obtaining evidence. Evidence needs to be properly and securely gathered to be admissible in court. Those involved in regulating housing conditions need to understand the laws of evidence and evidential procedure, including the importance of the integrity and continuity of the evidence trails. An ability to assess the age of a dwelling has always been a requirement for Environmental Health Perspectives (EHPs) and has been closely aligned to environmental health law and practice, as well as, in the past, eligibility for grant assistance. EHPs must be competent to assess housing conditions, be properly authorised in writing, and carry relevant means of identification. Powers of entry require that an authorised officer can enter after 24 hours written notice, and owner-occupiers must be notified for proactive or reactive inspections. It is necessary for an EHPs to have a good understanding of the causes, nature and remedy of housing deficiencies.
