Public Health

The Public Health team of the Environmental Health department, within the Environmental Services Directorate, have various powers to deal with many issues that directly or indirectly affect the Community of Oldham. Some of these are outlined below:

Private Properties that are in Disrepair

Premises that are Prejudicial to Health - Our Environmental Health Officers have certain powers to deal with properties that are in disrepair and causing problems to your property, e.g. penetrating dampness caused by leaking gutters or a damaged roof. These problems must be ‘prejudicial to health’ before we can intervene.

Ruinous and Dilapidated Structures - Our Environmental Health Officers can deal with Ruinous and Dilapidated Structures that are seriously detrimental to the neighbourhood. They may require the owner to demolish or repair the structure.

Rubble and Other Material from, or Exposed by, Demolition or Collapse – Where rubble from collapsed or demolished buildings is seriously detrimental to the amenity, our Environmental Health Officers can require the owners of the land to have it removed.

Land or Buildings that are Detrimental to the Amenity – Where land or buildings are seriously detrimental to amenity due to their visual appearance, our Environmental Health Officers may be able to take action against the owners.

Buildings Open to Access – Where a vacant building is open to access, then the Public Health Team have powers to secure the building in order to protect public safety.

For further information regarding any of the above or to report a problem please contact us using the Contact Information details listed below. For more detailed information see our fact sheet ‘Disrepair of Private Property’

Unauthorised Encampments

Unauthorised encampments can cause disruption and conflict locally and can be expensive and time-consuming to clear. Oldham Council’s protocols on Gypsy and Traveller accommodation and enforcement are set within a framework of rights and responsibilities in which everyone’s rights must be equally respected but where, at the same time, equal standards of behaviour are expected from all.

All enforcement action taken by the Public Health Team is taken in line with Government Guidance.

For further information or to report a problem please use the Contact Information details listed below.