ABSTRACT
When an occupier of any land becomes aware of an infestation by rats or mice in substantial numbers, he must notify the local authority in writing but this does not apply to agricultural land, or where food in certain categories of premises is infested when notification is then given under Part 2 of the act to the relevant minister or, in Scotland, the Secretary of State. If rats or mice are found in substantial numbers in a group of premises in different occupation, the local authority may take such steps as it considers necessary, after giving at least seven days’ notice to each occupier specifying the steps which it intends to take, and may subsequently recover its costs. If any land is damaged in the exercise of a power of entry, compensation may be recovered by any person interested in the land from the local authority on whose behalf the entry was effected.
