59. Destruction of rats, etc.
Feedback & supportWhere a Medical Officer of Health or a Public Health Engineer is of the opinion that any premises are so infested with rats, mice, insects or other vermin as to be a danger to the health of the persons in the premises or in the vicinity thereof, he may serve notice in writing on the owner or the occupier of such premises, calling upon him to take such measures as he considers necessary, within such time and date as may be specified in the notice, for the destruction of the rats, mice, insects or other vermin and for the removal of their breeding places and for preventing their reappearance.
Medical Officer of Health
“Medical Officer of Health” means any registered medical practitioner in the service of the Government who is for the time being carrying out the duties of a health officer in any area or district in Singapore or the port limits thereof, and includes the Airport Health Officer, the Port Health Officer and any registered medical practitioner in the service of the Government who is engaged in duties arising out of or connected with this Act;
If, in any premises, wasps, bees, hornets or other insects capable of stinging exist and a Medical Officer of Health or a Public Health Engineer is of the opinion that there is a probability, risk or danger that the persons in those premises or in the vicinity thereof may be stung by them, or if any such persons have been stung by them, he may serve a notice in writing on the owner or the occupier of the premises, calling upon him to take such measures, at the expense of the owner or occupier, as the Medical Officer of Health or a Public Health Engineer considers necessary, within such time and date as may be specified in the notice, for the destruction of the insects, for the removal of their breeding places and for preventing their reappearance.
premises
“premises”, except in section 41, means messuages, buildings, lands, easements and hereditaments of any tenure, whether open or enclosed, whether built on or not, whether public or private, and whether maintained or not under statutory authority, and includes any place or structure, or any part thereof, used or intended to be used for human habitation or for employment or any other purpose whatsoever;
Where such insects exist in any vacant premises and the owner cannot by the exercise of reasonable diligence be found, and a Medical Officer of Health or a Public Health Engineer is of the opinion that the persons in the vicinity of the premises are in imminent danger of being stung by insects, or if any such persons have been stung by them, he may, upon the written consent of the Commissioner being first obtained, enter upon the premises and take such measures as he considers necessary for the destruction of the insects, for the removal of their breeding places and for preventing their reappearance, and the costs and expenses thereby incurred shall be borne by the Government.
owner
“owner” means the person for the time being receiving the rent of any premises, whether on his own account or as agent or trustee or as receiver, or who would receive the same if the land or house comprised in the premises were let to a tenant;
Any owner or occupier who fails or neglects to comply with any notice served under subsection (1) or (2) within the time and date specified therein shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $1,000 and to a further fine not exceeding $50 for every day during which such non-compliance continues, and without prejudice to any proceedings under this subsection and whether before or after the commencement or conclusion of such proceedings, the Medical Officer of Health or the Public Health Engineer or any public officer authorised by the Commissioner in that behalf in writing may enter upon the premises and take such measures as have been specified in the notice, and the costs and expenses thereby incurred shall be paid by the person in default and may be recovered in the manner provided under section 121.[60
occupier
“occupier” means the person in occupation of any premises or having the charge, management or control thereof either on his own account or as agent of another person, but does not include a lodger;