General environmental nuisance
The Environmental Protection Department has a statutory duty to
investigate all complaints relating to alleged nuisances. Matters
considered to be a statutory nuisance are premises in such a
condition as to be prejudicial to health or a nuisance, smoke,
fumes or gases emitted from premises.
Any dust steam or smell or any other effluvia, accumulations or
deposit and animals kept in such a place or manner as to be
prejudicial to health, or a statutory nuisance.
Action which can be taken by the council
Where the council is satisfied that a Statutory Nuisance exists
as defined above, they shall serve an Abatement Notice under
section 80 of the EPA 1990.
Fines on summary prosecution for owners of residential properties,
up to a maximum of £5,000 and/or three months imprisonment or
both.
For commercial premises, up to a maximum of £20,000 and or three
months imprisonment or both.
High court action
In certain circumstances, depending on the severity of the case,
the council can apply to the High Court for an Injunction which is
a restraining order requiring the owner to prohibit from doing
something or requiring the owner to execute the works specified in
order to abate the statutory nuisance.
Private action
An individual can take his/her own private action under section
82 of the EPA 1990 upon sworn information given in writing to a
local magistrate. The evidence must be clear, concise and usually
be supplemented by an expert witness in the particular subject of
the nuisance specified.
Private nuisance
An individual can take his/her own private action in connection
with a private nuisance. That is something which arises or is
generated on one premise and interferes with the quiet enjoyment of
an adjoining owner of another property for a substantial
period.
Public nuisance
A public nuisance is something, which arises or is generated on
one premise and which materially affects the comfort and quality of
life members of the public.
To make a complaint about general nuisances write, telephone,
e-mail or visit your local environmental health officer:
Contact environmental health
Your first point of contact for the Environmental Health and
Protection Department is through our call centre, where we have
trained and experienced operators ready to listen to your concerns
and to give you the information you need.
We are available to take your calls from 9am to 5pm Monday to
Fridays on:
Tel: 020 7364 5008
Fax: 020 7364 6831
Email: environmentalhealth@towerhamlets.gov.uk
For further information contact:
Environmental Health
Environmental Protection
Mulberry Place (AH)
PO Box 55739
5 Clove Crescent
London E14 2BG
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