There have been some recent changes to the way practitioners refer to environmental health and housing services regarding unhygienic and verminous properties. 

For private sector housing issues please use the following referral form:

Referral to Private Sector Housing: filthy & verminous premises - Public Health Act 1936

For council-owned properties, practitioners should contact Housing Managers in the first instance. 

A list of neighbourhood housing managers can be found using the link provided:  

https://lbcamden.sharepoint.com/sites/intranet/Housingmanagement/Pages/Housing-Management-.aspx

For cases that go via the High-Risk Panel, Toby Deans will consider assisting with referrals via this route. 

The legal definition of "filthy and verminous" relates to a property's condition presenting a serious risk to public health or causing a statutory nuisance to neighbours. It is primarily defined in the UK under the provisions of the Public Health Act 1936 and the Environmental Protection Act 1990. 

Local authorities use these definitions to investigate and address extreme cases that go beyond normal untidiness or disrepair. 

Definition of "Filthy"

"Filthy" generally means the premises are in such an unwholesome condition as to be "prejudicial to health". Specific examples include: 

• Accumulations of rotting food.
• Human or animal excrement inside the property.
• Soiled clothing, furniture, or large amounts of waste that create an odour, attract flies, or provide harbourage for pests. 

Definition of "Verminous"

"Verminous" means the property is infested with pests or parasites. While "vermin" itself is not a strict legal term with a universal list, in this context it typically includes: 

• Rats and mice.
• Insects, such as fleas, cockroaches, or houseflies.
• Parasites, including their eggs, larvae, and pupae. 

What is Not Included

These legal powers are specifically targeted at genuine public health risks. They do not apply to premises that are merely: 

• Unsightly or untidy.
• In a bad state of general repair (unless it contributes to a public health issue).
• Cluttered with belongings, unless the accumulation presents a health hazard (a situation often associated with hoarding). 

Legal Action

If a property is classified as "filthy and verminous," the local authority's environmental health department can serve a statutory notice (s83) on the owner or occupier requiring them to clean the premises and destroy the vermin. A schedule under s84 of the act may also include the removal and disposal of listed items incapable of being cleaned, pest treated or sanitised. 

Failure to comply with this notice can result in the council carrying out the work itself and recovering the costs from the owner and potentially lead to prosecution. Local authorities often work with social services in these situations, as the condition of the property may indicate the occupant needs support. The Council must serve a letter under s287 of The act in order that this is compliant with Human Rights Act for the recipient to arrange for fair legal representation in court.