(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
a full description of the building concerned and the
location thereof; and
the grounds upon which the authority considers that
the building concerned is of an unsatisfactory standard; and
in the case of an application for a repair order, the
nature of the work required to be done in order to
raise or restore the building concerned to a satisfactory standard; and
in the case of an application for a closure order, the
grounds upon which the authority considers that the
building concerned should not be the subject of a repair order or a demolition order.
19 Service of summons
Subject to this Part, a summons shall be served on the
owner and any right holder of the building concerned in the
same manner as a subpoena for the attendance of a witness
at a civil trial in a magistrates court is served.
20 Delivery of grounds of opposition
Not less than four days before the date stated in the summons, the owner or any right holder of the building concerned may, if he intends to show cause why an order should
not be made—
(a) in the case of the owner, deliver to the clerk of court,
the authority and any right holder;
(b) in the case of any right holder, deliver to the clerk of
court, the authority and the owner;
copies of a written statement setting out his reasons for
opposing the making of the order.
21 Inquiry to be held into application
(1) At the time, upon the date and at the place stated in
the summons, the housing court shall, subject to subsection
(2), inquire into the application for an order.
(2) If—
(a) the owner; or
(b) any right holder;
of the building concerned or his representative fails to appear
in compliance with the summons, the housing court may—
(i) upon proof of service of the summons on the owner or
right holder, as the case may be; or
(ii) upon proof that the owner or right holder, as the case
may be, cannot be found by diligent search;
proceed in terms of subsection (1) in his absence.
22 Making of order
Having considered any evidence or argument tendered by
the parties or requested by itself at the inquiry referred to in
subsection (1) of section twenty-one, the housing court
may—
(a) where it is satisfied that the building concerned is of
an unsatisfactory standard, make the order applied for
or any other order; or
(b) refuse to make any order.
23 When building deemed to be of unsatisfactory
standard
A building shall be deemed to be of an unsatisfactory
standard if the condition of the building—
(a) in respect of one or more of the following—
(i) repair;
(ii) stability;
(iii) internal arrangement;
(iv) means of escape from fire;
(v) natural and artificial lighting;
(vi) ventilation;
(vii) water supply;
(viii)
(ix)
(x)
(xi)
(xii)
(b)
personal washing facilities;
drainage and latrines;
freedom from damp;
freedom from termite or other insect infestation;
in the case of a dwelling, facilities for—
A. the storage, preparation and cooking of
food; and
B. the disposal of waste water;
(xiii) any contravention of the Public Health Act
[Chapter 15:09] or regulations made thereunder;
(xiv) any factor other than those set out in subparagraphs (i) to (xiii) which, in the opinion of the
housing court, renders the building unhealthy or
unsafe;
is so far defective that the building is not reasonably
suitable for occupation in such condition; or
in the case of a dwelling, fails to satisfy one or more of
the minimum requirements set out in the First Schedule.
24 Contents of repair order
A repair order—
(a) shall specify the building in respect of which the
repair order is made; and
(b) may stipulate that the building concerned be vacated
by all or any of its occupants—
(i) if the building is in a dangerous condition,
forthwith; or
(ii) within a period of not less than thirty days;
until the building has been raised or restored to a
satisfactory standard; and
(c) shall require the owner of the building concerned to do
such work as may be specified in the repair order for
the purpose of raising or restoring such building to a
satisfactory standard; and
(d) shall determine the period during which the work
referred to in paragraph (c) shall be commenced and
completed.
25 Contents of demolition order
A demolition order—
(a) shall specify the building in respect of which the
demolition order is made; and
(b) may stipulate that the building concerned be vacated
by all or any of its occupants—
(i) if the building is in a dangerous condition,
forthwith; or
(ii) within a period of not less than thirty days;
and
(c) shall require the owner of the building concerned to
demolish the building and remove from the site thereof such materials and debris as may be specified in the
demolition order; and
(d) shall determine the period during which the demolition and removal referred to in paragraph (c) shall be
commenced and completed.
26 Contents of closure order
A closure order—
(a) shall specify the building in respect of which the
closure order is made; and
(b) subject to paragraph (d), may stipulate that the
building concerned be vacated by all or any of its occupants—
(i) if the building is in a dangerous condition,
forthwith; or
(ii) within a period of not less than thirty days;