If a local authority are satisfied upon a certificate of the medical officer of health of the district that the cleansing and disinfection of any premises, and the disinfection or destruction of any articles therein likely to retain infection, would tend to prevent the spread of any infectious disease, the authority shall give notice to the occupier of the premises that they will at his cost cleanse and disinfect the premises and disinfect or, as the case may require, destroy any such articles therein, unless, within twenty-four hours after the receipt of the notice, he informs them that within a time to be fixed by the notice he will take such steps as are specified therein.
If within twenty-four hours after receipt of the notice the person to whom it is given does not inform the authority as aforesaid, or if, having so informed the authority, he fails to take such steps as aforesaid to the satisfaction of the medical officer of health within the time fixed by the notice, the authority may cause the premises to be cleansed and disinfected and the articles to be disinfected or destroyed, as the case may require, and may, if they think fit, recover from him the expenses reasonably incurred by them in so doing.
Where the occupier of any premises is in the opinion of the local authority unable effectually to take such steps as they consider necessary, they may, without giving such notice as aforesaid but with his consent, take the necessary steps at their own cost.
Where a local authority have under this section disinfected any premises or article, or destroyed any article, they may, if they think fit, pay compensation to any person who has suffered damage by their action.
For the purposes of this section, the owner of unoccupied premises shall be deemed to be in occupation thereof.