Singapore legislation
Section 29
Section 29
Power to enter without notice or warrant
(1)
If there are reasonable grounds to believe in respect of any premises that there is an imminent danger which affects public safety or public health, the Board may, by one or more of its officers or persons authorised by the Board (called in this section an authorised officer and authorised person, respectively), enter the premises without warrant to do either or both of the following:
investigate whether any urgent repairs or works are required to be carried out in the premises to remove or prevent that danger;
carry out the urgent repairs or works.
(2)
There must be at least one authorised officer present in the premises at all times during the conduct of any investigation or carrying out of any urgent repairs or works under subsection (1) in those premises.
(3)
If the owner or occupier of the premises is present when an authorised officer or authorised person seeks to enter the premises, the authorised officer must show the owner or occupier —
such identification card as the Chief Executive Officer may direct to be carried by the authorised officer as proof of his or her identity; and
some duly authenticated document showing his or her authority.
(4)
If the owner or occupier is not present when entry under subsection (3) is sought, but some other person who appears to be in charge of the premises is present, then subsection (3) applies to that other person as if he or she were the owner or occupier.
(5)
An authorised officer or authorised person entering the premises under this section may do all or any of the following:
take with him or her such other persons as may be necessary;
break open any outer or inner door or window leading to the premises;
forcibly enter the premises and every part of the premises;
remove by force any obstruction to the entry;
remove or demolish any fixtures or fittings in the premises if the removal or demolition is necessary for the conduct of any investigation or carrying out of any urgent repairs or works under this section.
(6)
If the premises are unoccupied at the time of entry, the authorised officer or authorised person must leave the premises as effectually secured against trespassers as he or she found the premises.
(7)
Subject to subsection (6), the Board is not liable to compensate the owner or occupier for any loss (including reinstatement costs) incurred by the owner or occupier, or for any damage caused to the premises, as a result of anything done with reasonable care and in good faith under subsection (5)(e).
(8)
Where the Board has carried out any repairs or works in the premises under this section, the Board may recover from the owner, as a debt due to the Board, the costs incurred by the Board in respect of the repairs or works.
(9)
The Board must serve a written notice on the owner requiring payment of the costs recoverable under subsection (8), and the owner must make payment within one month after the date of the written notice or within such other period as the Board may specify in the written notice.[26B