L.R.O. 1/2012
LAWS OF GUYANA
HOUSING ACT
CHAPTER 36:20
Act
24 of 1946
Amended by
18 of 1950 O. 49/1953 27 of 1953 48 of 1955
9 of 1966A 24 of 1969
4 of 1972 25 of 1973 35 of 1975
(inclusive) by L.R.O.
Pages Authorised
Current Authorised Pages
1 – 105 ... 1/2012
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Index
of
Subsidiary Legislation
Page
Compulsory Acquisition of Lands (Plantation Craig Milne)
(Valuation Order)
98
(O. 25 /1973)
Compulsory Acquisition of Lands (Plantation Beehive)
(Valuation Order)
(O. 18/1976)
Compulsory Acquisition of Lands (Plantation Mount Sinai)
(Valuation Order)
(O. 21/1976)
Housing (Form of Letting Agreement) Regulations
(Reg. 15/1948)
Note
on
Repeal
This Act repeals Wortmanville Housing Scheme Ordinance (18 of 1946)
99
100
101
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CHAPTER 36:20
HOUSING ACT
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
SECTION
1 Short title.
2. Interpretation.
PART I INCORPORATION AND CONSTITUTION OF THE CENTRAL HOUSING AND
PLANNING AUTHORITY
3. Incorporation of the Central Housing and Planning Authority.
4. Constitution of the Central Authority.
5. Appointment and remuneration of Secretary, officers and servants.
6. Pensions.
7. Insurance.
8. Meetings and procedure thereat.
9. Power in Central Authority to invite persons who are not members
to attend meetings.
10. Appointment of committees.
PART II GENERAL POWERS OF THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY
11. General powers of the Central Authority.
12. Power of Central Authority to make arrangements with Housing
Association or Local Authority.
13. Advances by Central Authority for the purpose of increasing and
improving housing accommodation for persons of the working
class.
14. Powers of Central Authority as to ruinous or dilapidated buildings.
PART III PREPARATION AND APPROVAL OF SCHEMES
15. Duty of Central Authority to prepare housing schemes.
16. Power of Central Authority to declare an unhealthy area to be a
slum clearance area.
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SECTION
17. Duty of Central Authority to secure re-development.
18. Resolutions and plans of schemes to be sent to the Minister.
19. Local Authority affected by scheme to be notified.
20. Approval of scheme by Minister.
21. Notification of approval of scheme.
PART IV EFFECTS AND OBLIGATIONS CONSEQUENT UPON AN APPROVED
SCHEME
22. Demolition order.
23. Use of land in respect of which a demolition order has been made.
24. Owner of land and buildings may be permitted to carry out slum
clearance scheme or re-development scheme.
25. Certificates as to the condition of houses and exemption from slum
clearance area.
26. Judge may empower owner to execute works on default of another
owner.
PART V ACQUISITION AND COMPENSATION
27. Acquisition of land, etc., by Central Authority.
28. Acquisition of land, etc., by Central Authority for purposes of
approved schemes.
29. Vesting of title in Central Authority in case of compulsory
acquisition.
30. Assessment of compensation in case of compulsory acquisition.
31. Payments in respect of well-maintained houses.
32. Power of Central Authority to make allowances to certain persons
displaced.
33. Provisions as to costs of persons opposing scheme or orders.
PART VI COMPLETION OF SCHEMES AND CONSEQUENTIAL POWERS AND DUTIES
OF THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY
34. Central Authority to carry out scheme.
35. Assignment to Local Authorities of duties of the Central Authority.
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SECTION
36. Recovery of possession of buildings within areas of approved
schemes.
37. Power of judge to determine or vary a lease in certain cases.
38. Provisions as to apparatus of statutory undertakers in land dealt
with by Central Authority under this Act.
39. Extinguishment of ways and easements.
40. Power of Central Authority to require information as to owner- ship
of premises.
41. Power of entry for inspection.
42. Penalty for obstructing execution of Act.
43. Powers of dealing with lands and buildings acquired.
44. Conditions to be observed by the Central Authority in letting
houses.
45. Land and buildings within the area of a completed scheme to be
conveyed to Local Authority.
PART VII FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
46. Funds of the Central Authority.
47. Financial and accounting matters.
48. Special accounts to be kept.
49. Report and audited accounts to be forwarded annually to the
Minister.
50. Exemption in respect of fees collected by the Registrar of Deeds.
PART VIII GENERAL
51. Power of public departments and Local Authorities to make
agreements in connection with schemes.
52. Power of Central Authority and owners to enter into agreements
restricting use of land.
53. Service of notices, etc., on Central Authority and on other persons.
54. Summary procedure.
55. Regulations.
56. Protection of Central Authority and other persons acting under Act.
57. Transfer to the Central Authority of certain rights, assets and
liabilities.
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SECTION
PART IX SPEEDY REMEDYING OF INSANITARY CONDITIONS IN SLUM AREAS AND
OF OVERCROWDING IN DWELLING-HOUSES
58. Construction of this Part.
59. Interpretation.
60. Application of this Part.
SLUM CLEARANCE COMMITTEE
61. Establishment of the Slum Clearance Committee.
62. Constitution of the Committee.
63. Meetings of the Committee.
64. Slum Clearance Committee to exercise powers of Central Authority.
65. Committee subject to the control of the Minister.
CLOSING ORDERS AND SPECIAL SLUM CLEARANCE AREAS
66. Closing orders and dwelling-houses unfit for human habitation.
67. Power to declare an area to be a special slum clearance area.
68. Power of Committee in relation to special slum clearance areas and
dwelling-houses unfit for human habitation.
69. Restrictions on buildings in area declared to be a special slum
clearance area.
70. Application of certain sections of Parts I to VIII of this Act.
71. Form, authentication and service of notices, orders and any other
documents.
72. Provision for protection of owners and landlords.
73. Penalty for preventing execution of repairs and certain other acts.
74. Penalty on being found in dwelling-house in respect of which a
closing order is in force.
75. Expenditure of Committee to be defrayed by the Central Authority.
76. Rent of temporary premises provided for persons removed from
slum clearance areas.
FIRST SCHEDULE—The Housing Act—Receipt.
SECOND SCHEDULE—Housing Revenue Account.
_________________________
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1953 Ed.
c. 182 _______________________________________________________
CHAPTER 36:20
HOUSING ACT
24of 1946 An Act to make provision with respect to the Housing of
persons of the Working Class and for purposes
connected therewith.
[1ST APRIL, 1948]
Short title.
Interpretation.
[O. 49/1953
24 of 1969
4 of 1972
25 of 1973]
1. This Act may be cited as the Housing Act.
2. In this Act—
“agent”, in relation to the landlord of a dwelling-house,
means a person who collects rent in respect thereof on
behalf of the landlord or is authorised by him so to do, or
in the case of a dwelling-house occupied by a person who
holds under a contract of employment under which the
provision of the house for his occupation forms part of
his remuneration, a person who pays remuneration to the
occupier on behalf of the employer or is authorised by
him so to do;
“building” includes house, hut, tent, caravan or other
temporary or movable form of shelter which is used for
human habitation and has been in the same enclosure for
a period of two years next before action is taken under
this Act;
“Central Authority” means The Central Housing and
Planning Authority constituted and incorporated under
this Act;
“dwelling”, “dwelling-house” or “house” means any
premises (including a flat) used as a separate dwelling,
and any part of a building which is occupied or intended
to be occupied as a separate building, by persons of the
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C. 28:01
working class or being of a type suitable for such use;
“flat” means a separate and self-contained set of premises
constructed for use for the purpose of a dwelling and
forming part of a building from some other part of which
it is divided;
“Housing Association” means a society, body of trustees or
company established for the purpose of, or amongst
whose objects or powers are included those of,
constructing, improving or managing or facilitating or
encouraging the construction or improvement of, houses
for persons of the working class, which the Minister may,
for the purposes of this Act, deem and certify to be a
Housing Association;
“judge” means a judge of the High Court sitting in Chambers,
and in the case of any matter within the jurisdiction of a
magistrate’s court includes the magistrate of that court;
“landlord” means the immediate landlord of an occupier and
includes, in relation to an occupier of a dwelling-house
who holds under a contract of employment under which
the provision of the house for his occupation forms part
of his remuneration, his employer;
“loan charges” means, in relation to any borrowed moneys,
the sum required for the payment of interest on those
moneys and for the repayment thereof either by
instalments or by means of a sinking fund;
“Local Authority” means the Georgetown City Council and
the New Amsterdam Town Council or the council of any
town or local government district established under the
Municipal and District Councils Act, within their
respective jurisdictions and any other Authority which
the Minister may from time to time, by order, declare to
be a Local Authority for the purposes of this Act, and
within the area and to the extent specified in the order;
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“official representation” means a representation made by any
other town or of any Local Authority with regard to any
area within the jurisdiction of that Authority, or a
representation made by the permanent secretary of the
Ministry responsible for local government, the Central
Board of Health, the Chief Medical Officer or the Town
Clerk of the City of Georgetown or the Town of New
Amsterdam;
“officer in the public service” means any person appointed to
an office in the service of the State or employed in any
capacity under the Government;
“owner”, in relation to any land or building, means a person
who is for the time being entitled to dispose of the
absolute title in the land or of the title to the building,
whether in possession or in reversion, and includes a
person holding or entitled to the rents and profits of the
land or building under a lease or agreement the
unexpired term whereof exceeds three years;
“persons of the working class” means—
(a) mechanics, artisans, labourers and
other persons working for wages;
(b) hawkers, hucksters, costermongers;
(c) persons not working for wages but
working at some trade or handicraft
without employing persons other
than members of their own family;
(d) persons whose income in any case
does not exceed an average of fifteen
dollars a week or of such other sum as
the Central Authority may in their
discretion decide;
(e) the families of any such persons who
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Incorporation
of The Central
Housing and
Planning
Authority.
may be residing with them;
“road” means any road whether public or private and
includes any street, square, court, alley, lane, bridge,
footway, bridle path, passage or highway, whether a
thoroughfare or not;
“sanitary defects” includes darkness, dampness, lack of air
space or of ventilation, absence of adequate and readily
accessible water supply or sanitary accommodation or of
other conveniences, and inadequate paving or drainage
of courts, yards or passages;
“scheme” means a housing scheme, a slum clearance scheme,
a re-development scheme and a scheme varying or
revoking an existing scheme;
“slum clearance area” means an area defined and declared as
such, in the manner provided in this Act, to be acquired
or redeveloped for the purposes of and in accordance
with this Act;
“statutory undertakers” means any authority, company or
person empowered by any Act to execute or construct
authorised works or to carry into effect the purposes of
that Act.
PART I INCORPORATION AND CONSTITUTION OF THE
CENTRAL HOUSING AND PLANNING AUTHORITY
3. (1) For the purposes of this Act there shall be
constituted a housing and planning authority, to be called
The Central Housing and Planning Authority, vested with the
powers and functions in this Act mentioned and charged with
the duty of carrying out the provisions of this Act.
(2) The Central Housing and Planning Authority
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Constitution of
the Central
Authority.
[4 of 1972]
c. 28:01
(hereinafter in this Act referred to as “the Central Authority”)
shall be a body corporate.
(3) The Central Authority shall have power to hold
lands.
(4) The seal of the Central Authority shall, when
used, be authenticated by the signatures of the Chairman and
of one other member of the Central Authority.
(5) Judicial, and official, notice shall be taken of the
seal.
(6) The Central Authority shall have an office in
the City of Georgetown.
4. (1) The Central Authority shall consist of—
(a) a representative of the Georgetown
City Council, of the New Amsterdam
Town Council, and of each Town
Council constituted under the
Municipal and Districts Councils Act,
appointed by each such council from
among its councillors or officers; and
(b) not more than nine other fit and
proper persons appointed by the
Minister.
(2) The Minister shall appoint a member of the
Central Authority to be Chairman, and may at any time
revoke any such appointment.
(3) The members of the Central Authority
appointed under subsection (l)(b) shall be appointed for two
years, and they shall be eligible for re-appointment.
(4) Any member appointed under subsection (1) of
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Appointment
and
remuneration
of Secretary,
officers and
servants.
this section who—
(a) not being an officer in the public
service, by writing addressed to the
Minister, resigns from the Central
Authority; or
(b) departs from Guyana without leave of
the Minister; or
(c) remains out of Guyana after the
expiration of his leave; or
(d) fails without reasonable excuse (the
sufficiency of which shall be
determined by the Minister) to attend
three consecutive meetings of the
Central Authority,
shall cease to be a member of the Central Authority.
(5) Where the appointment of a member of the
Central Authority is revoked, or where a member ceases to be
a member of the Central Authority, the Minister may, subject
to the provisions of subsection (1), appoint another person to
fill the vacancy.
(6) Notice of every appointment, of every
revocation of appointment, and of every cesser of
membership, shall be published in the Gazette.
5. (1) The Minister may from time to time appoint on
such terms and conditions (including the giving of security)
as he may think fit, a fit and proper person to be the Secretary
to the Central Authority.
(2) The Central Authority may appoint and
employ, on such terms and conditions (including the giving
of security) as they may, with the approval of the Minister,
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Pensions.


Insurance.

determine, such other officers and such servants as they deem
necessary for the efficient administration of the Central
Authority.
(3) The salary and the remuneration of the
Secretary, and of the other officers and of the servants, of the
Central Authority shall be paid out of funds of the Central
Authority.
(4) Where an officer holding a pensionable office in
the service of the State is appointed Secretary or other officer
or a servant of the Central Authority, such Secretary or other
officer or servant shall be deemed for all purposes to be an
officer holding a pensionable office in the service of the State.
(5) The appointment of any officer or servant
appointed under subsection (2) may, subject to the terms of
the appointment, be terminated by the Central Authority at
the request of or with the approval of the Minister.
6. The National Assembly may, by resolution, declare
an office held by any person in the service of the Central
Authority to be pensionable in respect of such service, and
thereupon the laws for the time in force in Guyana relating to
the payment of pensions to public officers shall apply to such
person in the same manner and to the same extent as if he
were an officer holding a pensionable office under the said
laws.
7.The Central Authority may, with the approval of the
Minister, make regulations providing for the insurance by
officers and servants of the Central Authority on their lives,
for the assignment of the insurance policies in favour of the
Central Authority, for the payment of the premiums due on
the insurance policies, for the disposal of the policy moneys
on the maturing of the policies and for the re-assignment of
the insurance policies on the officer or servant ceasing to be in
the service of the Central Authority.

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Meetings and
procedure
thereat.


8. (1) The Central Authority shall hold a meeting in
each and every month for the transaction of general business,
and the meetings shall be held at such times and places and
on such days as the Central Authority may from time to time
determine.
(2) The Chairman may at any time call a special
meeting of the Central Authority.
(3) Where three members of the Central Authority
address a requisition, in writing, to the Secretary asking that a
meeting of the Central Authority be summoned to consider
the business specified in the requisition, the Secretary shall
forthwith summon an extraordinary meeting of the Central
Authority to be held for the purpose on a day not later than
twenty-one days after the date upon which he received the
requisition. Except by leave of the Central Authority, no
business other than that specified in the requisition, shall be
transacted at the extraordinary meeting.
(4) The Chairman of the Central Authority shall
preside at all meetings thereof which he attends, and in his
absence from any meeting, the members present shall elect
one of their number to preside at the meeting.
(5) At any meeting of the Central Authority five
members, including the presiding member, shall form a
quorum.
(6) All acts of the Central Authority, and all
questions coming or arising before the Central Authority,
shall be done and decided by the majority of such members of
the Central Authority as are present and vote in respect
thereof. The Chairman, or other member presiding at the
meeting shall have an original and a casting vote.
(7) Minutes of all meetings shall be recorded and
kept by the Secretary. Copies of the minutes, when duly
confirmed at a subsequent meeting, shall as soon as
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Power in
Central
Authority to
invite persons
who are not
members to
attend
meetings.
Appointment
of committees.
practicable thereafter, be forwarded to the Minister.
9. (1) The Central Authority may, whenever in their
opinion any business before a meeting of the Central
Authority renders the presence thereat of any person not
being a member of the Central Authority desirable, invite
such person to the meeting, and without prejudice to the
generality of the power conferred by the foregoing provision
of this subsection, the Central Authority may invite—
(a) representatives of local authorities
when matters affecting their area are
under consideration;
(b) a representative of the Education
Department when matters affecting
the siting and design of schools and
other matters connected therewith are
under consideration;
(c) a planning officer or architect (if
available) when zoning, site planning
or building is under consideration;
(d) any other specialist officer (if
available) whenever the advice of
such an officer is required.
(2) Any person so invited shall not have the right
to vote as a member of the Central Authority, but, save as
aforesaid, he shall be entitled to take part in the proceedings
of the Central Authority relating to the matter in respect of
which he was invited as if he were a member of the Central
Authority.
10. (1) The Central Authority may appoint a
Committee for any of the purposes of this Act.
(2) The Central Authority may, with the approval
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General powers
of the Central
Authority.

of the Minister, delegate to any committee, with or without
restrictions or conditions as they may think fit, any of their
powers, duties and functions under this Act.
(3) A Committee appointed under this section shall
consist of such number of persons as the Central Authority
shall think fit.
PART II GENERAL POWERS OF THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY
11. Subject to this Act, the Central Authority may—
(a) acquire land or buildings or an
interest therein, for all or any of the
purposes of an approved scheme,
which purposes may include the
erection, construction, maintenance
and improvement (whether by the
Central Authority or by persons other
than the Central Authority) of houses
and gardens, factories, workshops,
places of worship, places of
recreation, and other works and
buildings for or for the convenience of
persons of the working class and
other persons, and generally all such
matters as are necessary or desirable
for, or are incidental to, the
development of the property acquired
as a building estate;
(b) with the approval of the Minister—
(i) acquire land or buildings, or an
interest therein, for the purpose
of the development of the
property acquired in any way
which, if a scheme had been
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applicable to the property,
could have been properly
provided for in such scheme;
(ii) acquire land or buildings, or
any interest therein, adjacent to
a slum clearance area or re-
development area, which in the
opinion of the Central
Authority it is desirable should
be acquired for the satisfactory
further development or use of
the slum clearance area or re-
development area, as the case
may be;
(iii) acquire land or buildings, or
any interest therein, in any area
suitable for the purposes of a
contemplated scheme;
(c) carry out, in connection with any
property acquired for the purposes of
an approved scheme, the purposes of
that scheme;
(d) subject to the general or special
directions of the Minister, carry out,
in connection with any property
acquired under paragraph (b)(i) or
(ii), the purposes for which the
property was acquired;
(e) subject to the general or special
directions of the Minister, carry out in
relation to land or buildings or any
interest therein vested in the State,
any purpose which could properly be
provided for in a scheme in relation to
property acquired for the purposes of
the scheme, including (but without
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prejudice to the generality of the
powers conferred by this paragraph)
the erection of houses for settlers
participating in any Government land
settlement scheme;
(f) without prejudice to any other
powers conferred by this section, let
or lease any land or buildings vested
in the Central Authority on such
terms and subject to such covenants
and conditions as the Central
Authority may think fit:
Provided that—
(i) in exercising the powers
conferred by this section, the
Central Authority shall have
regard to section 44; and
(ii) the Central Authority shall
exercise such powers subject to
the general or special powers of
the Minister;
(g) with the approval of the Minister, and
on such terms as the Minister may
approve, sell or exchange any land or
buildings, or any interest therein,
vested in the Central Authority;
(h) accept a donation of money for any
purpose to which the funds of the
Central Authority may lawfully be
applied;
(i) guarantee or join in guaranteeing the
payment of interest and capital on
money borrowed by a person of the
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Power of
Central
Authority to
make
arrangements
with Housing
Association or
Local
Authority.

working class to purchase a dwelling-
house or to erect a dwelling-house for
his own use upon land the property of
such person or the property of the
Central Authority or the State and let
or leased to such person, upon such
terms and conditions as the Central
Authority may deem fit;
(j) with the approval of the Minister,
make advances upon such securities
as may likewise be approved, to
suitable social organisations for the
purpose of assisting the erection of
hostels for single men and single
women of the working class;
(k) invest at their discretion in any
securities authorised by law for the
time being for the investment of trust
funds any moneys (whether
consisting of capital or income) at any
time at the disposal of the Central
Authority and not immediately
required by the Central Authority for
the purchase of property or the
construction of buildings or for other
purposes as authorised by this Act.
12. (1) The Central Authority may, with the approval
of the Minister, make arrangements with a Housing
Association or a Local Authority for the purpose of enabling
the Association or Local Authority to—
(a) provide housing accommodation for
persons of the working class
displaced by action taken by the
Central Authority under this Act for
dealing with slum clearance areas or
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with re-development areas or for the
demolition of insanitary houses or for
the closing of buildings or parts of
buildings;
(b) provide housing accommodation for
persons of the working class for the
purpose of the abatement of
overcrowding;
(c) alter, enlarge, repair or improve
houses or buildings which, or an
interest in which, the Central
Authority have acquired with a view
to the provision or improvement of
housing accommodation for persons
of the working class.
(2) Arrangements made under subsection (1) shall
include such terms with regard to such matters including—
(a) the types of houses to be provided;
(b) the rents at which the houses
provided are to be let; and
(c) the conditions of the tenancy,
as may appear to the Central Authority to be expedient in
view of the needs in relation to the housing of persons of the
working class and as may be approved by the Minister.
(3) If a Housing Association or a Local Authority
represent to the Minister that they have submitted to the
Central Authority proposals for arrangements to be made
under this section, and that the Central Authority have
unreasonably refused to make arrangements in accordance
with the proposals, the Minister may require the Central
Authority to furnish him with a report as to the matter stating
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Advances by
Central
Authority for
the purpose of
increasing and
improving
housing
accommoda-
tion for persons
of the working
class.
[9 of 1966A]
the reasons for their refusal and to make such arrangements
as shall be approved of by the Minister.
13.(1) Any employer of labour, and any person of the
working class, may, subject to this section, make application
in writing to the Central Authority for an advance of money
for the purpose of purchasing or constructing one or more
houses or for carrying out alterations or repairs to any house
or houses.
(2) Subject to this section, every such application
shall contain full particulars of—
(a) the houses to be purchased,
constructed, altered or repaired;
(b) the land, and the title thereto of the
applicant, on which such houses are
or shall be situated;
(c) the amount of the advance required;
(d) the manner in which such advance is
to be applied;
(e) the proposals for repayment thereof;
and such other particulars as may be required by the Central
Authority.
(3) Where the applicant is an employer of labour,
he shall state in his application that the houses to which the
application relates are, or are to be, situated on land which is
the property of the applicant and are to be used as dwellings
for persons of the working class in the employ of such
employer.
(4) No application under subsection (1) by an
employer of labour shall be granted unless the Central
Authority are satisfied that the particulars required by
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subsection (3) to be stated in the application are true and
correct.
(5) Where the applicant is a person of the working
class, he shall state in his application that the house to which
the application relates is, or is to be, situated on land which is
the property of the applicant or which is let or leased to the
applicant for a term the unexpired portion whereof is such
that the applicant can, during such unexpired period, refund
any advance which may be made to him under this section.
(6) No application under subsection (1) by a person
of the working class shall be granted unless the Central
Authority are satisfied that the particulars required by
subsection (5) to be stated in the application are true and
correct.
(7) No application under subsection (1) shall be
granted unless the Central Authority are satisfied—
(a) that the house to which the
application relates will, on the
completion of the construction,
alteration or repair of such house, be
in all respects fit for human
habitation, and will be used as a
dwelling for persons of the working
class; and
(b) that, having regard to the financial
position of the applicant and to the
cost involved in the purchase,
construction, alteration or repair of
the house to which the application
relates, it is reasonable for the Central
Authority to advance money to the
applicant.
(8) The Central Authority shall, where they decide
LAWS OF GUYANA
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to grant an application under subsection (1), fix—
(a) the amount of the advance;
(b) the conditions on which, and the
times at which, the said amount or
any portion thereof shall be advanced;
and
(c) the terms and conditions of
repayment.
(9) Interest may, at the discretion of the Central
Authority and subject to such directions as may from time to
time be given to the Central Authority by the Minister, be
charged on the amount of every advance made under this Act
or on so much thereof as shall for the time being remain
unpaid. Where interest is payable, the rate thereof shall be
fixed by the Minister, and it shall be paid at such times as the
Central Authority shall specify.
(10) The grant by the Central Authority of an
application under subsection (1) shall be subject to the
approval of the Minister.
(11) Every application under subsection (1) shall be
accompanied by the grosse transport, or other document of
title, of the applicant in respect of the land referred to in
subsection (2)(b).
(12) Where an application for an advance under
this section has been approved, the Central Authority shall
cause a search to be made in the office of the Registrar of
Deeds for the purpose of ascertaining whether—
(a) the grosse transport, or other
document of title, is registered in the
name of the person in whose favour it
was passed;
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(b) the land, or the interest in the land, to
which the grosse transport or other
document of title relates has been
levied upon and taken in execution in
pursuance of a judgment or order of
the High Court;
(c) the land, or the interest in the land as
aforesaid, is subject to any mortgage;
(d) the land, or the interest in the land, as
aforesaid, is subject to any
encumbrances other than those
specified in, or endorsed on, the
grosse transport or other document of
title to which the land, or the interest
in the land, as aforesaid relates.
(13) The Registrar of Deeds shall endorse on the
grosse transport, or other document of title, as aforesaid a
certificate as to the result of such search.
(14) No fee shall be payable by the Central
Authority to the Registrar of Deeds in respect of any such
search or certificate.
(15) Every advance made by the Central Authority
under subsection (1) shall be secured by a first mortgage
passed by the borrower in favour of the Central Authority—
(a) on the house or houses to which the
application for the advance relates;
and
(b) on the land on which such house or
houses is or are, or is to be or are to be
situated, or on the lease of such land
the unexpired portion of the term
LAWS OF GUYANA
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First Schedule.
c. 5:01
thereof being such that the applicant
can, during such unexpired period,
refund any advance made to him
under this section; and
(c) if the Central Authority so think fit,
on any other property of the
borrower.
(16) Every such mortgage, and every mortgage
under subsection (18), shall be for a period of not less than ten
years, but without prejudice to the right of the mortgagor to
redeem, or to repay the advance, at any time within the said
period.
(17) Regulations may be made under section 55
prescribing the form of mortgage for the purposes of
subsection (15) of this section:
Provided that the Central Authority may, for special
reasons, vary such form in any particular case.
(18) The form of receipt contained in the First
Schedule, or any alteration thereof which may be made by the
Central Authority, when signed by any person to whom an
advance may be made on account of the loan therein
mentioned shall have effect as if it were a mortgage passed by
the person, who signed the receipt, in favour of the Central
Authority in accordance with the provisions of the Deeds
Registry Act, and shall be deemed to be a mortgage of the
lands, hereditaments, premises and buildings therein
described, and shall confer on the Central Authority the
following rights and powers—
(a) in respect of all advances that may be
made, not exceeding the total amount
payable thereunder, whether the
same be on account of principal or
interest, and all expenses incurred by
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the Central Authority in respect of
enforcing or realising such mortgage,
a charge on the property specified in
such receipt, until repayment in full of
such principal, interest, and expenses;
(b) the same rights and powers as are
conferred on mortgagees under the
Deeds Registry Act when the
mortgage is made by deed.
(19) In any such form of receipt, or any alteration
thereof by the Central Authority, there shall be implied
(unless excluded by the Central Authority) on the part of the
borrower, the following covenants with the Central
Authority:
(a) to expend the advance for the
purposes specified in the receipt, and
not otherwise;
(b) to repay the said advance and all
charges and interest thereon, at the
time or times, and in the manner
mentioned in the receipt, and to pay
all expenses incurred by the Central
Authority in enforcing or realising the
security of the Central Authority;
(c) to produce, at such times as may be
required by any person authorised in
writing by the Central Authority, an
account showing the expenditure of
the moneys advanced, vouched on
oath or by affirmation, or in such
other manner as may be required by
the person so authorised;
(d) to repair, and keep in repair, all
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buildings and improvements which
shall have been, or shall be, restored,
altered, or erected upon the land;
(e) to suffer and permit any person
authorised by the Central Authority
in writing, at all times during the
continuance of the security created by
the receipt under this Act, to enter
into and upon the land and buildings,
with or without surveyors or other
persons, to view and inspect the state
of repair and condition of the land,
buildings, or improvements;
(f) to insure, and so long as any money
remains secured by the said receipt, to
keep insured, against loss or damage
by fire, earthquake and hurricane, in
the name of the Central Authority
their assigns or transferees, in an
insurance company, to be approved of
by the Central Authority, all
buildings, fixtures and erections
which shall, for the time being, be
erected on the said land, and which
shall be of a nature or kind capable of
being so insured, to the amount
secured by the receipt, or such less
sum as the Central Authority may
determine; and, when so required,
deposit with the Central Authority,
their assigns or transferees, the policy
of such insurance, and within seven
days after each premium shall become
payable, the receipt for the payment
of such premium; and the moneys
which shall be received on account of
any such insurance, shall at the option
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of the Central Authority, their assigns
or transferees, be applied, either in or
towards satisfaction of the moneys
secured by the receipt, or for the
carrying out of the purposes, under
the superintendence of the Central
Authority, specified in the receipt;
and that on any breach, or non-
observance of this covenant the
Central Authority, their assigns or
transferees, shall be at liberty to effect
such insurance, and continue the
same for such period as they may
deem fit, and the costs and expenses
paid on account thereof shall be
payable on demand, and be a charge
on the land, and bear interest at the
same rate as in the case of principal
money overdue;
(g) not to make any lease, or agreement
for a lease, without the consent in
writing of the Central Authority first
had and obtained, and any such lease
or agreement for a lease, made or
entered into by the borrower without
such consent, shall be void to all
intents and purposes whatsoever.
(20) Every receipt referred to in subsection (18)
shall be made in duplicate, and one copy thereof shall,
forthwith after it has been so made, be delivered together
with the grosse transport or other document of title as
aforesaid, by the Central Authority to the Registrar of Deeds.
(21) The Registrar of Deeds shall file and register
the receipt as creating a mortgage in favour of the Central
Authority on the property described in such receipt, shall
make such consequential entries in the register of mortgages,
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and in the register of encumbrances, as may be required, and
shall endorse on the grosse transport or other document of
title a memorandum of the registration of such mortgage.
(22) The Central Authority shall, on the repayment
of the capital of any mortgage under subsection (15) or (18)
and of all interest payable thereon, file with the Registrar of
Deeds a certificate to that effect, and thereupon the Registrar
shall endorse on the mortgage filed in the Deeds Registry a
memorandum, signed by him, to the effect that the charge
created by the mortgage has been released. The Central
Authority shall deliver to the Registrar of Deeds, for the
purpose of cancellation, the grosse copy, if any, of the
mortgage.
(23) (a) In this subsection—
“agreement” means an agreement made between any person
and the Government providing for that person’s
participation in any self- help housing scheme;
“self-helper” means a person who has signed an agreement;
(b) Where at any time whether before or
after the commencement of this
subsection, a self-helper pursuant to
the terms of an agreement executed or
executes, as the case may be a form of
receipt which is substantially in the
form set out in the First Schedule, the
provisions of subsections (18), (19),
(20), (21) and (22) shall apply to such
form of receipt as if the loan
mentioned in the aforesaid receipt
were a loan made by the Central
Housing and Planning Authority to
the self-helper under this Act and the
 th 19 February, 1966.
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Powers of
Central
Authority as to
ruinous or
dilapidated
buildings.
[6 of 1997]
receipt properly executed under this
Act.
(c) Any provision in an agreement
imposing an obligation on a person to
execute a deed of mortgage is hereby
declared to be and shall be deemed
always to have been valid for all
purposes from the time when the said
obligation arose and the execution of
a receipt which is substantially in the
form set out in the First Schedule by
the self-helper is hereby declared to
be and shall be deemed always to
have been a sufficient discharge of
that obligation.
14.(1) Whenever any building normally occupied as a
dwelling by persons of the working class is, in the opinion of
the Central Authority, ruinous or so dilapidated as to have
become and to be unfit for human habitation or a nuisance or
injurious or likely to be injurious to health, the Central
Authority may give notice in writing to the owner requiring
him forthwith to take down, secure, repair or rebuild the
same to the satisfaction of the Central Authority within a time
to be specified in the notice.
(2) If the owner fails to comply with the
requirements of the notice within the time specified therein,
the Central Authority or any person authorised in writing by
the Chairman of the Central Authority, may make complaint
thereof before a magistrate, and it shall be lawful for such
magistrate to order the owner to carry out the requirements of
the notice within a time fixed by him in his order.
(3) If such order is not complied with within the
time fixed therein, the owner shall be liable, on summary
conviction to a fine of thirteen thousand hundred dollars and
to a further fine of one thousand three hundred dollars for
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every day during the continuance of such non-compliance,
and the Central Authority may, without prejudice to their
right to institute a prosecution, with all convenient speed
enter upon the building or upon the land on which it stands
and execute the order.
(4) When the order directs the taking down of a
neglected building, the Central Authority, in executing the
order, may remove the materials to a convenient place, and
(unless the expenses incurred by the Central Authority under
this section in relation to such building are paid to them
within fourteen days after such removal) sell the same or any
part thereof as and if they in their discretion think fit.
(5) All expenses incurred by the Central Authority
under this section in relation to a building may be deducted
by the Central Authority out of the proceeds of the sale, and
the surplus (if any) shall be paid by the Central Authority to
the owner of the building on demand and upon proof of title;
or the Central Authority may, if they think fit, pay such
surplus into the High Court to an account to be entitled—
“In the matter of the Housing Act, and of the (here
describe the premises) the materials of which were
sold under the said Act”;
and the High Court or any judge thereof may, on the
application of any person entitled or claiming to be entitled to
such moneys or any part thereof, make an order for the
payment of the same or any part thereof to the person or
persons entitled thereto.
(6) If the building is not taken down and such
materials are not sold by the Central Authority, or if the
proceeds of such sale are insufficient to defray the said
expenses, the Central Authority may recover such expenses or
such insufficiency from the owner of the building together
with full costs in respect thereto in a summary manner, but
without prejudice to his right to recover the same from any
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L.R.O. 1/2012
lessee or other person liable to the expenses of repairs.
(7) In connection with the exercise by the Central
Authority of the powers conferred by this section in relation
to a building within the area of a Local Authority, the
following provisions shall have effect:
(a) the Central Authority shall, in
deciding to issue a notice under
subsection (1) or in deciding whether
any such notice has been satisfactorily
complied with, take into
consideration any report on the
building submitted by the health or
engineering adviser (if any) of the
Local Authority;
(b) the Central Authority shall notify the
Local Authority of the dates of the
meetings at which any such decisions
as are mentioned in paragraph (a) will
be considered by the Central
Authority, and thereupon the Local
Authority shall have the right to
delegate three of their members to
attend such meetings, or any of them,
for the purpose of considering such
decisions, and to that extent such
delegates shall be members of the
Central Authority with the right of
deliberating, but not of voting, in the
same manner as any other member.
(8) In this section the expression “building”
includes a part of a building.

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Duty of Central
Authority to
prepare
housing
schemes.
PART III PREPARATION AND APPROVAL OF SCHEMES
15. (1) It shall be the duty of the Central Authority—
(a) to consider the needs of Guyana with
respect to the provision of housing
accommodation for persons of the
working class in any particular area;
and
(b) as often as occasion arises, or after
notice has been given to the Central
Authority by the Minister and within
such period as shall be specified in the
notice, to cause the area to be defined
on a plan and to prepare and submit
to the Minister a scheme (hereinafter
referred to as a housing scheme) for
the exercise of their powers under this
Act; and
(c) to pass a resolution declaring the area
so defined to be a housing area.
(2) Subject to this Act, but without prejudice to
section 11, the Central Authority may carry into effect any
housing scheme—
(a) by the conversion into dwelling-
houses of any buildings acquired;
(b) by altering, enlarging, repairing or
improving any houses or buildings
which have been acquired by the
Central Authority;
(c) by altering, enlarging, repairing or
improving a house as erected,
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Power of
Central
Authority to
declare an
unhealthy area
to be a slum
clearance area.

converted or acquired, and fitting out,
furnishing and supplying any such
house with all requisite fittings and
conveniences.
(3) Where the Central Authority acquire a house or
other building in a housing area which could be made
suitable as a dwelling- house for persons of the working class,
or an interest in such a house or other building, they shall
forthwith proceed to secure the alteration, enlargement,
repair or improvement of such house or building, either by
themselves executing any necessary works, or by leasing it to
some person subject to conditions for securing that he will
alter, enlarge, repair or improve it.
16. (1) Where the Central Authority, as a result of an
inspection or upon consideration of an official representation
or other information in their possession, are satisfied in
respect of any area that the housing conditions in that area
are dangerous or injurious or likely to be injurious to the
health and welfare of the inhabitants by reason of the
disrepair or sanitary defects of dwelling-houses or tenement
rooms therein or of the bad arrangement of the houses or of
the narrowness or bad arrangement of the roads, and that
those conditions can be effectually remedied—
(a) by ordering the demolition,
reconstruction, or repair, as the
circumstances may require, of those
dwelling-houses or tenement rooms
which are unfit for human habitation;
or
(b) by the acquisition of the land and
buildings thereon comprised in the
area and themselves undertaking or
otherwise securing the demolition,
reconstruction or repair, as the
circumstances may require, of those
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L.R.O. 1/2012
dwelling-houses or tenement rooms
which are unfit for human habitation;
and
(c) if it is so desired, by the acquisition by
the Central Authority of any land or
buildings in the area which it is
expedient for them to acquire for the
reconstruction and re- development of
the area; and
(d) if it is so desired, by the acquisition of
any land which is surrounded by the
area, the acquisition of which is
reasonably necessary for the purpose
of securing a cleared area of
convenient shape and dimensions,
and of any adjoining land, the
acquisition of which is reasonably
necessary for the satisfactory
development or use of the cleared
area, the Central Authority shall cause
that area to be defined on a plan in
such a manner as to exclude from that
area any land or buildings in respect
of which in their opinion sanitary
defects do not exist or which they do
not find it expedient to acquire for the
remedying of badly arranged
conditions, but including in such area
buildings which in their opinion are
in a state of disrepair, and any
surrounding or adjoining land which
it is desired by the Central Authority
to acquire.
(2) The Central Authority shall pass a resolution
declaring the area so defined to be a slum clearance area and
shall, within the period hereinafter prescribed, prepare and
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Duty of Central
Authority to
secure re-
development.

submit to the Minister a scheme (hereinafter referred to as a
slum clearance scheme) for the exercise of their powers under
this Act.
17. Where the Central Authority, as a result of an
inspection or upon consideration of an official representation
or other information in their possession, are satisfied that in
any part of Guyana there is an area in which the following
conditions exist:
(a) that the area contains eighteen or
more working-class houses;
(b) that at least one-third of the working-
class houses in the area is
overcrowded, or so arranged as to be
congested, or unfit for human
habitation and not capable at a
reasonable expense of being rendered
so fit;
(c) that the industrial and social
conditions of the part of Guyana as
aforesaid are such that the area
should be used to a substantial extent
for housing persons of the working
class; and
(d) that it is expedient in connection with
the provision of housing
accommodation for persons of the
working class that the area should be
re-developed as a whole;
it shall be the duty of the Central Authority—
(i) to cause the area to be defined
on a plan, and to pass a
resolution declaring the area so
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Resolutions
and plans of
schemes to be
sent to the
Minister.

defined to be a proposed re-
development area;
(ii) within the period and in the
manner hereinafter prescribed
to prepare and submit to the
Minister a scheme (hereinafter
referred to as a re-development
scheme) for the exercise of their
powers under this Act.
18. (1) As soon as may be after the Central Authority
have passed a resolution under sections 15, 16 or 17 they shall
send a copy of the resolution to the Minister, and shall
publish in the Gazette and in a local daily newspaper a notice
stating that the resolution has been passed and naming a
place where a copy of the resolution may be inspected.
(2) Within three months after the Central Authority
shall have passed such a resolution or within such extended
period as the Minister may allow, the Central Authority shall
prepare and submit to the Minister a plan of any scheme
intended to be undertaken accompanied by a statement
containing appropriate particulars of the scheme indicating—
(a) the manner in which it is intended
that the defined area shall be laid out
and the land therein used, and in
particular the land intended to be
used for the provision of houses for
persons of the working class, for
roads and for open spaces, for
community facilities including shops,
schools, churches, meeting halls, play
centres and recreation grounds;
(b) the approximate quantity of the land
to be acquired;
(c) the approximate number and the
nature of the houses to be provided
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by the Central Authority;
(d) the average number of houses to be
constructed per acre;
(e) if the demolition of existing houses
and the erection of new houses are
proposed, the nature of the proposed
new houses;
(f) if the total demolition of existing
houses is not proposed, the nature of
repairs, improvements and
reconstruction intended to be made;
(g) the time within which the scheme or
any part thereof is to be carried into
effect;
(h) the estimated cost of the scheme and
of the rents expected to be derived
from the houses provided under the
scheme;
(i) such incidental, consequential and
supplementary provisions (including
provisions as to the subsequent
variation of the scheme) as may
appear necessary or proper for the
purpose of the scheme;
(j) objections made by persons affected
by the scheme where such objections
have not been withdrawn or met.
(3) In the preparation of any scheme the Central
Authority shall have regard to the provisions of any planning
scheme relating to the defined area or land in the
neighbourhood thereof.
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Local Authority
affected by
scheme to be
notified.

(4) The Central Authority before submitting such
scheme to the Minister shall—
(a) publish in a local daily newspaper a
notice stating that the scheme is
about to be submitted to the Minister
for approval, naming a place where
the plan and particulars of the scheme
may be inspected, and specifying the
time within which and the manner in
which objections may be made;
(b) serve a notice to the like effect on
every owner and on every other
person who to the knowledge of the
Central Authority has any interest in
land in the defined area, except
persons holding under a monthly
tenancy or less period:
Provided that failure to serve any such notice shall not in
any manner prejudice such scheme.
19. (1) In any case where a scheme is wholly or in part
within the area of a Local Authority, the Central Authority
shall before submitting the draft scheme to the Minister for
approval, furnish particulars and a copy of the scheme to the
Local Authority for their consideration and representations.
(2) If the Local Authority are desirous of making
any objections or representations in respect of the said
scheme, they shall within the prescribed time and manner
submit the same to the Central Authority.
(3) The Central Authority shall consider any
objections or representations received by them in pursuance
of this section, and shall give full opportunity for such Local
Authority to be heard by the Central Authority, and in
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Approval of
scheme by
Minister.


c. 19:03
submitting the scheme to the Minister for approval shall
forward copies of all such objections or representations which
have not been met or withdrawn.
20.(1) The Minister may, if he thinks fit, after
considering any objections duly made to the scheme which
have not been withdrawn or met, approve the scheme
submitted to him or any part thereof, either without
modification or with such modifications as he thinks fit
(including, if he thinks fit, the alteration of the defined area so
as to exclude land therefrom but not so as to add land thereto)
and the scheme or part thereof when so approved shall be
binding on the Central Authority, but if the Minister
considers the scheme inadequate he may refuse to approve
the scheme and require the Central Authority to prepare and
submit to him an adequate scheme within such time as he
may fix, or he may approve the scheme or any part thereof
subject to the condition that the Central Authority prepare
and submit to him a further scheme within such time as he
may fix:
Provided that in the case of a re-development scheme he
may, before approving the scheme, cause a public inquiry
into the matter to be held under the Commissions of Inquiry
Act, and shall consider any objection not withdrawn and the
report of the Commission of Inquiry, and he may thereafter
approve the scheme with or without any such modifications
as aforesaid.
(2) The Minister shall not approve of any scheme
unless he is satisfied that—
(a) the size of the area is such that the
housing conditions therein can be
remedied within a reasonable period;
(b) the financial resources of the Central
Authority are or will be sufficient for
the purpose of carrying into effect
LAWS OF GUYANA
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L.R.O. 1/2012
such scheme;
(c) in so far as suitable accommodation
available for the persons of the
working class who will be displaced
by the steps the Central Authority
propose to take for the clearance and
development of the area does not
exist, the Central Authority will
provide, or secure the provision of,
such accommodation in advance of
the displacements which will from
time to time become necessary as
these steps are taken.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2)(c) suitable
accommodation means, in relation to the occupier of a
dwelling-house, a dwelling- house as to which the following
conditions are satisfied:
(a) the house must be a house in which
the occupier and his family can live
without causing it to be overcrowded;
(b) the house must be a house which is
certified by the Central Authority to
be suitable to the needs of the
occupier and his family as regards
security of tenure and proximity to
place of work and otherwise to be
suitable in relation to his means; and
(c) if the house belongs to the Central
Authority it must be a house which is
certified by the Central Authority to
be suitable to the needs of the
occupier and his family in respect of
accommodation having regard to the
standard (if any) prescribed by
LAWS OF GUYANA
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Notification of
approval of
scheme.


Demolition
order.
regulations made under this Act.
21. (1) Upon notification to the Central Authority of
the approval of the Minister of any scheme, the Central
Authority shall forthwith publish in the Gazette and in a local
daily newspaper a notice stating that the scheme has been
approved and naming a place where a copy of the plan and
particulars thereof may be inspected, and in the case of a re-
development scheme serve a like notice on every person who
gave notice of his objection to the scheme.
(2) Where, after a scheme has been approved, it
appears to the Central Authority that any land in the area
(that is to say, the defined area or so much thereof as is
comprised in the scheme approved) ought to be re-developed
or used otherwise than as indicated in the scheme, the Central
Authority shall prepare and submit for the approval of the
Minister a new scheme in respect of that land.
(3) In the following provisions of this Act
references to re-development or use in accordance with a
scheme shall be construed as references to a scheme approved
under this section, or, in the case of land comprised in a new
scheme approved under this section, in accordance with the
new scheme.
PART IV EFFECTS AND OBLIGATIONS CONSEQUENT UPON AN
APPROVED SCHEME
22.(1) Where with respect to any area declared by the
Central Authority to be a slum clearance area and included in
a slum clearance scheme approved of by the Minister in the
manner hereinbefore provided, the Central Authority shall
determine to order any buildings in the area to be
demolished, they shall make an order (in this Act referred to
as a “demolition order”) ordering the demolition of each of
those buildings, and the vacation thereof on or before a date
specified in the order, and the Central Authority shall
LAWS OF GUYANA
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L.R.O. 1/2012
forthwith publish in a local daily newspaper a copy of the
order, and upon such publication the order shall become
operative.
(2) When a demolition order has become operative
the owner or owners of any building to which the order
applies shall demolish that building before the expiration of
two months from the date on which the building is required
by the order to be vacated, or, if it is not vacated until after
that date, before the expiration of two months from the date
on which it is vacated, or, in either case, before the expiration
of such longer period as in the circumstances the Central
Authority may deem reasonable; and, if the building is not
demolished before the expiration of that period, the Central
Authority shall enter and demolish the building and sell or
otherwise dispose of the materials thereof.
(3) Any expenses incurred by the Central
Authority under subsection (2), after giving credit for any
amount realised by the sale of materials, may be recovered by
them as a simple contract debt from the owner of the house
or, if there is more than one owner, from the owners thereof
in such shares as the court may determine to be just and
equitable; and any owner who pays to the Central Authority
the full amount of their claim may in the like manner recover
from any other owner such contribution (if any) as the court
may determine to be just and reasonable.
(4) Any surplus in the hands of the Central
Authority shall be paid by them to the owner of the house, or
if there is more than one owner, shall be paid as those owners
may agree. If there is more than one owner and the owners do
not agree as to the division of the surplus, the Central
Authority shall deposit (without payment to the Registrar of
any fee for the act of deposit or for any matter connected
therewith) the amount of the surplus in the Supreme Court
Registry to abide the order of the court, and the said amount
shall be distributed by the court free from all deductions for
office and other costs, and in accordance with subsection (5).
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Use of land in
respect of
which a
demolition
order has been
made.
[6 of 1997]

Owner of land
and buildings
may be
permitted to
carry out slum
clearance
scheme or re-
development
(5) The court, in determining for the purposes of
this section the shares in which any expenses shall be paid or
contributed by, or any surplus shall be divided between, two
or more owners of a house shall have regard to their
respective interests of the house, their respective obligations
and liabilities in respect of maintenance and repair under any
covenant or agreement, whether expressed or implied, and all
the other circumstances of the case.
23. (1) When a demolition order has become
operative, no land to which the order applies shall be used for
building purposes or otherwise developed except subject to
such restrictions and conditions (if any) as the Central
Authority may think fit to impose:
Provided that any owner who is aggrieved by a
restriction or condition so imposed on the user of his land, or
by a subsequent refusal of the Central Authority to cancel or
modify any such restriction or condition, may at any time
appeal by notice in writing to a judge who shall determine the
matter summarily and make such order in the matter as he
thinks proper, and his decision shall be final.
(2) A person who commences, or causes to be
commenced, any work in contravention of a restriction or
condition imposed under this section shall be liable on
summary conviction to a fine of one thousand three hundred
dollars in respect of each day during which the work exists in
such a form and state as to contravene the restriction or
condition.
24.(1) Notwithstanding the publication of a notice by
the Central Authority in accordance with section 21, the
owner of any land or building specified in such notice may,
with the permission of the Central Authority and the
approval of the Minister, undertake for himself the clearance
and reconstruction of the land and buildings so specified or
the re-development thereof subject to the provisions
LAWS OF GUYANA
Housing Cap. 36:20 45
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scheme.

hereinafter contained.
(2) (a) An application for such permission
shall be made by the owner in writing
addressed to the Central Authority
within four weeks of the date of
publication of the notice by the
Central Authority and shall contain
full particulars accompanied by plans.
(b) The Central Authority shall, as soon
as practicable after the receipt of such
application, consider the same at a
meeting of the Central Authority and
shall, subject as hereinafter provided
in this subsection, by resolution
passed at such meeting either refuse
or recommend the grant of the
application.
(c) The resolution together with the
application shall be submitted to the
Minister who may either reject the
application or grant same with such
modifications (if any) as he may think
fit.
(3) If the application is granted, the owner shall
within four weeks of the date of his being notified of the
granting of his application enter into a bond with one or more
sureties to be approved by the Central Authority in a sum not
less than the estimated cost of clearance and reconstruction of
the land and buildings or the re-development thereof, as the
case may be, specified in the application as approved by the
Minister, and the said bond shall be conditioned that the
owner shall pay such sum as aforesaid to the Central
Authority upon failure to complete the clearance and
reconstruction of the said land and buildings or the re-
development thereof, as the case may be, within a period to
be specified in the bond and in accordance with the scheme:
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c.36:23

Provided that, if the owner of any such land and
buildings fails to complete the clearance and reconstruction
thereof or the re- development thereof, as the case may be, in
accordance with the scheme to the satisfaction of the Central
Authority and within the period specified in the bond, subject
to any variation or extensions approved by the surety or
sureties and the Minister, the Central Authority may,
notwithstanding the enforcement of the bond, acquire such
land and buildings and clear and reconstruct or re-develop
the same in accordance with this Act.
(4) Upon the completion by the owner of the
clearance and the reconstruction of the said land or buildings
or the re-development thereof, as the case may be, to the
satisfaction of the Central Authority, the Central Authority
shall, at the expense of the owner, cause the notice published
by the Central Authority in accordance with section 21 to be
amended by the publication of an amending notice deleting
from the first mentioned notice the land and buildings
specified in the bond.
(5) Where the Central Authority are satisfied that,
for the purpose of enabling the clearance and reconstruction
of land and buildings or the re-development thereof, as the
case may be, to be carried out in accordance with proposals
which have been submitted as aforesaid and in respect of
which the Central Authority have given notice of their
satisfaction, it is necessary that any dwelling-house to which
the Rent Restriction Act applies should be vacated, and that
suitable alternative accommodation is available for a tenant or
will be available for him at a future date, the Central
Authority may issue to the landlord a certificate that such
suitable alternative accommodation is available for him by
such future date, and a certificate so issued shall, anything
contained in the Rent Restriction Act to the contrary
notwithstanding, be binding on the court to order the
recovery of possession of any such dwelling-house.

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Certificates as
to the condition
of houses and
exemption
from slum
clearance area.


25. (1) Any owner of a dwelling-house, which is
occupied, or of a type suitable for occupation, by persons of
the working class and in respect of which works of
improvement (otherwise than by way of decoration or repair
but including fittings and fixtures) or structural alterations
are proposed to be executed, may submit a list of the
proposed works to the Central Authority with a request in
writing that the Central Authority shall inform him whether
in their opinion the house would, having due regard to the
nature of its site and its relationship to the arrangements of
existing roads, after the execution of those works, or of those
works together with any additional works, be in all respects
fit for human habitation and would, with reasonable care and
maintenance, remain so fit for a period of at least five years.
(2) As soon as may be after receipt of such a list
and request as aforesaid, the Central Authority shall take the
list into consideration and inform the owner whether they are
of opinion as aforesaid or not, and where they are of that
opinion, shall furnish him with a list of the additional works
(if any) appearing to them to be required.
(3) Where the Central Authority have stated that
they are of opinion as aforesaid and the works specified in the
list submitted to them, together with any additional works
specified in a list furnished by them, have been executed to
their satisfaction, they shall, on the application of any owner
of the house, issue to him a certificate that the house is in all
respects fit for human habitation and will with reasonable
care and maintenance remain so fit for a period (being a
period of not less than five years nor more than ten years) to
be specified in the certificate.
(4) During the period specified in a certificate
given under this section no action shall be taken under this
Act with a view to the demolition of the house as being unfit
for human habitation and its reconstruction as part of a slum
clearance area.

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Judge may
empower
owner to
execute works
on default of
another owner.


Acquisition of
land, etc., by
Central
Authority.
Acquisition of
land, etc., by
26. (1) If it appears to a judge or a magistrate on the
written application of any owner of a house in respect of
which a notice requiring the execution of works has been
served, or a demolition order has been made, that owing to
the default of any other owner of the house in executing any
works required to be executed on the house, or in
demolishing the house, the interests of the applicant will be
prejudiced, the judge or magistrate may make an order
empowering the applicant forthwith to enter on the house,
and within a period fixed by the order, execute the said works
or demolish the house, as the case may be, and where it seems
to the judge or magistrate just so to do, he may make a like
order in favour of any other owner.
(2) Before an order is made under this section,
notice of the application shall be given to the Central
Authority, and to any other owner who may be affected by
the order.
(3) Proceedings under this section shall be
determined by the judge or magistrate in a summary manner,
and any order made by him shall be final.
PART V ACQUISITION AND COMPENSATION
27. (1) Where by this Act the Central Authority is
authorised to acquire land or buildings or any interest
therein, such acquisition may, subject to this Act, be by way of
gift or may be effected by private treaty or compulsorily.
(2) Nothing in this section shall authorise the
compulsory acquisition of any land or building or any interest
therein, which is the property of statutory undertakers,
having been acquired by them for the purposes of their
undertaking.
28. (1) Any land or buildings, or any interest therein,
within a slum clearance area or any part thereof which is or
LAWS OF GUYANA
Housing Cap. 36:20 49
L.R.O. 1/2012
Central
Authority for
purposes of
approved
schemes.

are intended to be acquired by the Central Authority for the
purposes of this Act may be acquired compulsorily after the
expiration of twenty-eight days from the first publication of
the notice as required by section 21(1).
(2) In the case of land or buildings or any interest
therein intended to be acquired by the Central Authority for
the purposes of a housing scheme or a re-development
scheme, it shall be the duty of the Central Authority, within
the appropriate period specified in subsection (3), either to
enter into agreements for the purchase of the same, or to
decide, by resolution, that the same shall be compulsorily
acquired:
Provided that this subsection shall not apply to land or
buildings in respect of which the Central Authority have,
within the appropriate period as aforesaid, made
arrangements with other persons for securing the use of the
land in accordance with a re-development scheme.
(3) The appropriate period for the purposes of
subsection (2) shall be—
(a) in the case of land shown in the plan
for the housing scheme or re-
development scheme, as the case may
be, as intended for the provision of
houses for persons of the working
class, six months from the date when
the approval of the Minister of the
scheme in question becomes
operative;
(b) in the case of other land in the re-
development area, two years from
that date;
and in either case such extended period as the Minister may,
on the application of the Central Authority, allow in respect
LAWS OF GUYANA
50 Cap. 36:20 Housing
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Vesting of title
in Central
Authority in
case of
compulsory
acquisition.


Assessment of
compensation
in case of
compulsory
acquisition.
[35 of 1975]
c. 62:05
of any land.
(4) The obligations imposed on the Central
Authority by this section shall not apply with respect to any
land or building, or interest therein, referred to in section 27.
29. (1) Where the Central Authority with the approval
of the Minister have, by resolution, decided, in accordance
with this Act, that any lands or buildings described in the
resolution shall be acquired compulsorily by the Central
Authority for any of the purposes of this Act, the Central
Authority shall cause a copy of the resolution to be published
in the Gazette.
(2) Where a building, but not the land on which it
is situate, is to be acquired compulsorily under subsection (1),
such building shall, on the publication under subsection (1) of
the copy of the resolution in the Gazette, forthwith vest
absolutely in the Central Authority free of all incumbrances.
(3) Where land with or without any building
thereon is to be acquired compulsorily under subsection (1)
the Central Authority shall cause a certified copy of the
resolution, together with a plan prepared by a sworn land
surveyor defining the said land, to be deposited in the Deeds
Registry, and on such deposit being made the land and
buildings thereon or the land, as the case may be, described in
the resolution shall, without any conveyance, vest absolutely
in the Central Authority free of all incumbrances.
30.(1) Where land or buildings or any interest therein
is or are acquired by the Central Authority compulsorily
under this Act, compensation shall be payable by the Central
Authority, to the owner of such land or building or interest
therein, and the compensation shall, subject to this Act, be
assessed and shall be paid according to the provisions of the
Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act.
(2) In assessing the amount of compensation
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L.R.O. 1/2012
payable to the owners of land or buildings or any interest
therein acquired compulsorily by the Central Authority under
this Act, regard shall be had to the following provisions:
(a) in the case of land with buildings
thereon which are unfit for human
habitation or are dangerous or
injurious or likely to be injurious to the health of the inhabitants of the
area, the compensation payable shall
be the value of the site as a cleared
site available for development
without regard to any buildings
existing thereon;
(b) in the case of land with buildings
thereon in respect of which sanitary
defects exist but which are not
otherwise unfit for human habitation
or dangerous or injurious or likely to
be injurious to the health of the
inhabitants of the area, the
compensation payable shall be the site
value as aforesaid together with the
value of the buildings after deducting
such amount as would be required to
abate the sanitary defects;
(c) in the case of any other land and
building, the compensation payable
shall be the value thereof:
Provided that in the case of any dwelling-house or other
building which is regarded as dangerous or injurious or likely
to be injurious to health under paragraph (a) or (b) only on
the ground that by reason of its bad arrangements in relation
to other buildings or the narrowness or the bad arrangements
of the roads, the compensation payable shall be as in
paragraph (c), unless it is a building constructed or adapted
as, or for the purposes of, a dwelling-house or partly for those
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c. 62:05
purposes and partly for other purposes and part thereof (not
being a part used for other purposes) is by reason of disrepair
or sanitary defects unfit for human habitation.
(3) In assessing the amount of compensation
payable to the owners of land and buildings acquired
compulsorily by the Central Authority under this Act for any
area within a re-development scheme, there may be taken
into consideration any undertaking given by the Central
Authority with respect to the time within which and the
manner in which the re-development or any part thereof is to
be carried out and any increased value which will be given to
other premises of the same owner.
(4) In determining for the purposes of this Act
whether a house is fit for human habitation, regard shall be
had to the extent (if any) to which by reason of disrepair or
sanitary defects the house falls short of the provisions of any
by-laws in operation in the area in which the house is situate.
(5) The owner of any building which is regarded as
unfit for human habitation shall be entitled, on making a
request therefor in writing, to be furnished by the Central
Authority with a statement in writing of their reason for
deciding that the building is so unfit.
(6) In the application of the provisions of the
Acquisition of Lands for Public Purposes Act relating to
compensation and the assessment thereof, the following
modifications shall be made:
(a) references to the Minister, the
Attorney-General and the
Commissioner of Lands shall be
construed as references to the Central
Authority;
(b) references to land shall be construed
as including references to buildings;
LAWS OF GUYANA
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L.R.O. 1/2012
Payments in
respect of well-
maintained
houses.
[24 of 1969]

(c) references to an order published
under section 6 of the Acquisition of
Lands for Public Purposes Act shall
be construed as references to a
resolution published, or published
and deposited, as the case may be,
under section 29 of this Act.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (2)(a), (b) and
(c)—
(a) the expression “value” means the
value ascertained by reference to
prices current at the 31st March, 1939;
and
(b) there shall be added to the value so
ascertained such percentage thereof as
may from time to time be prescribed
by order of the Minister published in
the Gazette; and
(c) such order may be made generally, or
in relation to a particular locality, or
in relation to a particular building or
parcel of land.
31.(1) Where, in respect of a dwelling-house
compulsorily acquired by the Central Authority under this
Act for any of the purposes of this Act as being unfit for
human habitation, the Minister is satisfied, after causing the
house to be inspected by a Health Officer, that
notwithstanding its sanitary defects it has been well
maintained, the Minister may give directions for the making
by the Central Authority of a payment under this section in
respect of the house as hereinafter provided.
(2) A payment made under this section shall be of
LAWS OF GUYANA
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an amount equal either—
(a) to the amount by which the aggregate
expenditure which is shown to the
satisfaction of the Central Authority
to have been incurred in maintaining
the house during the five years
immediately before the date on which
the order was made exceeds an
amount equal to one and one-quarter
times the assessed value of the house;
or
(b) to one and a half times, or, if at that
date the house is occupied by an
owner thereof and has been owned
and occupied by him or a member of
his family continuously during the
three years immediately before that
date, three times, the assessed value
of the house—
whichever is the greater:
Provided that a payment under this section shall not in
any case exceed the difference between the full value of the
house (that is to say, the amount which would have been
payable as compensation by virtue of its being acquired
compulsorily but not as unfit for human habitation), and the
site thereof (that is to say, the amount which is payable as
compensation by virtue of its being acquired compulsorily as
being unfit for human habitation, or which would have been
so payable if it had been so acquired), and any question as to
such value shall be determined, in default of agreement, as if
it had been a question of disputed compensation arising on
such a purchase.
(3) A payment under this section shall be made—
(a) if the house is occupied by an owner
LAWS OF GUYANA
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c. 28:04

Power of
Central
Authority to
make
allowances to
certain persons
displaced.

thereof, to such owner; or
(b) if the house is not so occupied, to the
person or persons liable under any
enactment, covenant or agreement to
maintain and repair the house, and if
more than one person is so liable, in
such shares as the Central Authority
think equitable in the circumstances:
Provided that, if any other person satisfies the Central
Authority that the good maintenance of the house is
attributable to a material extent to work carried out by him or
at his expense, the Central Authority may, if it appears to
them to be equitable in the circumstances, make payment in
whole or in part to him.
(4) In this section the expression “assessed value”
has the meaning assigned to it as in the Valuation for Rating
Purposes Act.
32. The Central Authority may pay to any person
displaced from any dwelling-house or other building in a
slum clearance area or a re- development area, as the case
may be, which has been purchased by them under this Act as
being unfit for human habitation and not capable at
reasonable expense of being rendered so fit, such reasonable
allowance as they may think fit towards his expense in
removing; and to any person carrying on any trade or
business in any such dwelling-house or other building, they
may also pay such reasonable allowance as they think fit
towards the loss which, in their opinion, he will sustain by
reason of the disturbance of his trade or business consequent
on his having to quit the house or building, and in estimating
that loss they shall have regard to the period for which the
premises occupied by him might reasonably have been
expected to be available for the purpose of his trade or
business and the availability of other premises suitable for
that purpose.
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Provisions as to
costs of persons
opposing
scheme or
orders.


Central
Authority to
carry out
scheme.
33. (1) The Minister may make such order as he thinks
fit in favour of any owner of any land included in any
approved scheme or order, for the allowance of reasonable
expenses incurred by the owner in opposing the scheme or
order.
(2) All expenses of any person to such amount as
may be allowed to him by the Minister in pursuance of the
aforesaid power, shall be deemed to be expenses incurred by
the Central Authority under this Act, and shall be paid to that
person in such manner and at such times and either in one
sum or by instalments as the Minister may order.
PART VI COMPLETION OF SCHEMES AND CONSEQUENTIAL
POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE CENTRAL AUTHORITY
34.(1) It shall be the duty of the Central Authority
who are hereby empowered so to do, to take steps for
carrying into execution any scheme after such scheme has
been approved by the Minister within such time as may be
specified in such scheme or within such further time as may
be allowed by the Minister.
(2) The Central Authority may in like manner and
for the purposes of such scheme lay out, pave, sewer and
complete all such roads upon the land acquired by them; and
all roads so laid out and completed if situated within the
jurisdiction of a Local Authority shall thenceforth be public
road repairable by the Local Authority.
(3) Subject to the approval of the Minister, the
Central Authority may also engage with any person to carry
the whole or any part of the scheme into effect upon such
terms as the Central Authority may think expedient.
(4) When a scheme has been substantially
completed by the Central Authority in accordance with this
Act, the Central Authority shall forthwith certify that fact to
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Assignment to
Local
Authorities of
duties of the
Central
Authority.

Recovery of
possession of
buildings
within areas of
approved
schemes.
[6 of 1997]

the Minister and specify the date upon which the buildings
within the area of such scheme or any part thereof were or
shall be ready for habitation.
35.(l) The Central Authority may, with the approval of
the Minister, assign to a Local Authority so named in a
scheme, duties and functions (including the execution of any
public work or the undertaking of any public service) in
relation to the enforcement and carrying out of such scheme,
and specify the time within which such duties and functions
shall be undertaken and completed.
(2) If the Local Authority shall unreasonably delay
or fail to commence or carry out the duties and functions
assigned to them under subsection (1), or shall carry out such
duties and functions in an unsatisfactory manner, the Central
Authority may order the Local Authority to carry out such
duties and functions within such period as shall be fixed by
the order. Any such order may be enforced by mandamus.
(3) Whenever the Local Authority have made
default in carrying out any duties and functions assigned to
them under the scheme, the Central Authority may exercise
such duties and functions and any expenses incurred by the
Central Authority in so doing shall on demand be paid by the
Local Authority to the Central Authority and may be
recovered summarily as a civil debt.
36.(1) Where any scheme has been approved in
accordance with this Act the Central Authority shall serve on
the occupier of any land or building or any part thereof
within the area of such scheme a notice stating the effect of
such scheme and specifying the date by which the Central
Authority require the building to be vacated, and requiring
him to quit the said land or the building before the said date
or before the expiration of twenty-eight days from the service
of the notice, whichever may be the later.
(2) If, at any time after the date on which the notice
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c. 61:01

Power of judge
to determine or
vary a lease in
certain cases.
requires the land or building to be vacated, any person is in
occupation of the land or building or any part thereof, the
Central Authority may make complaint to the magistrate of
the district within which the land or building is situate, and
thereupon the magistrate shall by warrant, in Form 7 in the
First Schedule to the Landlord and Tenant Act or in a form to
the like effect, order vacant possession of the land or building
or any part thereof to be given to the complainants within
such period as may be determined by the magistrate, and the
magistrate may allow any costs and expenses incurred by the
Central Authority under this section in obtaining possession
of any land or building.
(3) Any person who knowing that a scheme in any
area has been approved and applies to any land or building—
(a) enters into occupation of that land or
of any of such buildings or any part
thereof after the approval of such
scheme in such area, or
(b) permits any person to enter into such
occupation after that date—
shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of thirteen
thousand dollars and to a further fine of one thousand three
hundred dollars for every day or part of a day on which the
occupation continues after conviction.
37.(1) Where any premises in respect of which any
order or scheme under this Act has become operative, form
the subject matter of a lease, either the lessor or the lessee may
apply in writing to a judge for an order under this section.
(2) Upon any such application as aforesaid, the
judge, after giving to any sub-lessee an opportunity of being
heard may, if he thinks fit, make an order for the
determination of the lease, or for the variation thereof, and, in
either case, either unconditionally or subject to such terms
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Provisions as to
apparatus of
statutory
undertakers in
land dealt with
by Central
Authority
under this Act.
and conditions (including conditions with respect to the
payment of money by any party to the proceedings to any
other party thereto by way of compensation, damages or
otherwise) as the judge may think just and equitable to
impose, regard being had to the respective rights, obligations
and liabilities of the parties under the lease and all the other
circumstances of the case.
(3) In this section the expression “lease” includes
an under- lease and any tenancy, or agreement for a lease,
under-lease or tenancy, whether any such be registered or
not, and the expressions “lessor,” “lessee,” and “sub-lessee”
shall be construed accordingly and as including also a person
deriving title under a lessor, lessee or sub- lessee.
38.(1) Where the removal or alteration of apparatus
belonging to statutory undertakers—
(a) on, under or over land purchased by
the Central Authority under this Act;
or
(b) on, under or over a road running over
or through or adjoining any such
land—
is reasonably necessary for the purpose of enabling the
Central Authority to exercise any of the powers conferred
upon them by this Act, the Central Authority shall have
power to execute works for the removal or alteration of the
apparatus subject to and in accordance with this section.
(2) The Central Authority shall serve on the
undertakers notice in writing of their intention with
particulars of the proposed works and of the manner in which
they are to be executed, and plans and sections thereof, and
shall not commence any works until the expiration of a period
of twenty-eight days from the date of service of the notice,
and the undertakers may within that period by notice in
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writing served on the Central Authority—
(a) object to the execution of the works or
any of them on the ground that they
are not necessary for the purpose
aforesaid; or
(b) state requirements to which in their
opinion, effect ought to be given as to
the manner of, or the observance of
conditions in, the execution of the
works, as to the execution of other
works for the protection of other
apparatus belonging to the
undertakers, or as to the execution of
other works for the provision of
substituted apparatus whether
permanent or temporary;
and—
(i) if objection is so made to any
works and not withdrawn, the
Central Authority shall not
execute the works unless they
are determined by arbitration
to be so necessary;
(ii) if any such requirement as
aforesaid is so made and not
withdrawn, the Central
Authority shall give effect
thereto unless it is determined
by arbitration to be
unreasonable.
(3) The Central Authority shall pay reasonable
compensation to undertakers for any damage which is
sustained by them by reason of the execution by the Central
Authority of any works under subsection (1) and which is not
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made good by the provision of substituted apparatus. Any
question as to the right of undertakers to recover
compensation under this subsection or as to the amount
thereof shall be determined by arbitration.
(4) Where the removal or alteration of apparatus
belonging to statutory undertakers or the execution of works
for the provision of substituted apparatus whether permanent
or temporary is reasonably necessary for the purposes of their
undertaking by reason of the stopping-up, diversion or
alteration of the level or width of a road by the Central
Authority under powers exercisable by virtue of this Act they
may, by notice in writing served on the Central Authority,
require them (at the expense of the Central Authority) to
remove or alter the apparatus or to execute the works, and
where any such requirement is so made and not withdrawn,
the Central Authority shall give effect thereto unless they
serve notice in writing on the undertakers of their objection to
the requirement within twenty-eight days from the date of
service of the notice upon them and the requirement is
determined by arbitration to be unreasonable.
(5) At least seven days before commencing any
works which they are authorised or required under the
foregoing provisions of this section to execute, the Central
Authority shall, except in case of emergency, serve on the
undertakers notice in writing of their intention so to do, and
the works shall be executed by the Central Authority under
the superintendence (which shall be at the expense of the
Central Authority) and to the reasonable satisfaction of the
undertakers:
Provided that if, within seven days from the date of
service on them of notice under this subsection, the
undertakers so elect, they shall themselves execute the works
in accordance with the reasonable directions and to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Central Authority, and the
reasonable costs thereof shall be repaid to the undertakers by
the Central Authority.

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c. 7:03

Extinguish-
ment of ways
and easements.

(6) Any difference arising between statutory
undertakers and the Central Authority under subsection (5),
and any matter which is by virtue of any of the foregoing
provisions of this section to be determined by arbitration shall
be so determined in the manner provided by the Arbitration
Act.
(7) In this section references to the alteration of
apparatus include references to diversion and to alteration of
position or level.
39. (1) The Central Authority may, with the approval
of the Minister, by order extinguish any public right of way
over any land purchased by them in accordance with this Act.
(2) Notice of an order intended to be made under
subsection (1) shall, prior to such approval, be published in
the Gazette and in a local daily newspaper at least once in
every week for a period of four weeks, and if any objection
thereto is made to the Minister before the expiration of six
weeks from the date of the first publication thereof, the
Minister shall consider such objection before approving the
order, and he may if he thinks fit cause a public inquiry into
the matter to be held.
(3) Any such order when approved shall be
published in the Gazette and shall take effect from the date of
such publication or from the date specified in such order.
(4) Upon the completion by the Central Authority
of the purchase by them of any land in accordance with this
Act all private rights of way and all rights of laying down,
erecting, continuing and maintaining any pipes, sewers,
drains, wires or cables on, under or over that land (together
with the property in those pipes, sewers, drains, wires or
cables) and all other rights or easements or real servitudes in
or relating to that land shall, except so far as may be
otherwise agreed by the Central Authority and the person or
authority entitled to the rights in question, vest in the Central
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c. 62:05
Power of
Central
Authority to
require
information as
to ownership of
premises.
[6 of 1997]
Power of entry
for inspection.
Authority and any persons who suffer loss by the vesting of
any such rights or property as aforesaid shall be entitled to be
paid by the Central Authority compensation to be determined
in the same manner and to the like extent as if the vesting
were a vesting of land in Guyana under the Acquisition of
Lands for Public Purposes Act.
40. (1) The Central Authority may, for any purpose
arising in relation to the making, enforcement or carrying out
of a scheme, by notice in writing require the owner or
occupier of any land or building in the area to which such
scheme relates or is intended to relate, or any person
receiving whether for himself or for another rent of any such
land or building, to state in writing to the Central Authority
within a specified time not less than twenty-one days after
being so required, particulars of the interest or right by virtue
of which he owns or occupies such land or building or
receives such rent, as the case may be, and the name and
address and the interest or right (so far as they are known to
him) of every person who to his knowledge has any interest
in or right over or in respect of such land or building.
(2) Every person who is required under this section
to state in writing any matter or thing to the Central
Authority and who—
(a) fails so to state such matter or thing
within the time appointed under
subsection (1); or
(b) when so stating any such matter or
thing makes a statement in writing
which is to his knowledge false or
misleading in a material particular,
shall be liable on summary conviction
to a fine of thirteen thousand dollars.
41. Any person authorised in writing (which shall
state the particular purpose or purposes for which the entry is
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Penalty for
obstructing
execution of
Act.
[6 of 1997]
Powers of
dealing with
lands and
authorised) by the Central Authority or the Minister may at
all reasonable times, on giving twenty-four hours’ notice to
the occupier, and to the owner if the owner is known, of his
intention, enter any house, premises or buildings for the
purpose of inspecting the same and in particular—
(a) for the purpose of survey and
examination, where it appears to the
Central Authority or the Minister that
survey or examination is necessary in
order to determine whether any
powers under this Act should be
exercised in respect of the house,
premises or building; and
(b) for the purpose of survey and
examination, in the case of a house in
respect of which a notice requiring the
execution of works has been served,
or a demolition order or a clearance
order has been made; or
(c) for the purpose of survey or
valuation, in the case of houses,
premises, or buildings which the
Central Authority are authorised to
purchase compulsorily under this Act.
42. Any person who obstructs a health officer, or any
officer of the Central Authority, or any person authorised to
enter houses, premises, or buildings in pursuance of this Act,
in the performance of anything which such officer, Central
Authority or person is by this Act required or authorised to
do, shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of thirteen
thousand dollars.
43.(1) Where, under the powers conferred by this Act,
the Central Authority sell or lease land or buildings, the
Central Authority may contribute from their funds towards
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buildings
required.

Conditions to
be observed by
the Central
Authority in
letting houses.
the lawful development thereof:
Provided that, as regards any land to be used for the
construction of roads, it shall be a condition of such
contribution that the roads shall be dedicated to the public.
(2) Any moneys received by the Central Authority
from the letting, leasing, sale or exchange of any lands or
buildings shall form part of the funds of the Central
Authority.
44.(1) The Central Authority shall, in relation to the
letting of houses, observe the requirements specified in the
following provisions of this section.
(2) The Central Authority shall, in the selection of
tenants, give preference to persons of the working class—
(a) who are occupying insanitary or
overcrowded houses; or
(b) who have large families; or
(c) who are living under unsatisfactory
housing conditions—
except in so far as the demand for housing accommodation in
any area on the part of any such persons can be satisfied
without such preference being given.
(3) The Central Authority shall, in the fixing of
rents, take into consideration the rents ordinarily payable by
persons of the working class in the locality:
Provided that the Central Authority may, subject to such
terms and conditions as the Central Authority may think fit,
grant to any tenant from time to time such rebates from rent
as the Central Authority may consider just and proper.

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c. 36:23


Land and
buildings
within the area
of a completed
scheme to be
conveyed to
Local
Authority.
(4) The Central Authority shall from time to time,
review the rents fixed, and the rebates from rent granted,
under subsection (3), and shall from time to time make such
changes of rents generally, of particular rents, or rebates as
circumstances may require.
(5) The Central Authority shall make it a term of
every letting, and it shall be a term of every letting, that the
tenant shall not assign, sub-let or otherwise part with the
possession of the premises or any part thereof except with the
consent in writing of the Central Authority, and the Central
Authority shall not give such consent unless it is shown to
their satisfaction that no payment other than a rent which is in
their opinion a reasonable rent has been, or is to be, received
by the tenant in consideration of the assignment, sub-letting
or other transaction.
(6) Subject to subsection (5), the Minister may from
time to time issue directions to the Central Authority as to the
terms and conditions which are to be implied in every letting
under this section, and a copy of such directions shall be
delivered by the Central Authority to every tenant.
(7) The Rent Restriction Act and any Order made
thereunder shall not apply to any premises let under this
section.
45. (1) When the reconstruction or improvement of an
area or any part thereof has been completed in accordance
with the appropriate scheme, the Central Authority may
convey or assign to the Local Authority the land (or the
interest therein) and buildings situate within the area or any
part thereof.
(2) When the land (or the interest therein) and
buildings situate within the area of a scheme have been
conveyed or assigned to a Local Authority in accordance with
subsection (1), the Local Authority shall be liable for the
payment of all debt and loan charges in respect of moneys
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Funds of the
Central
Authority.

expended by the Central Authority in connection with the
area so conveyed.
(3) The Wortmanville Housing Scheme shall be a
scheme within the meaning of this section.
(4) No fees, stamp or other duty shall be payable or
chargeable in relation to any conveyance or transfer under
this section.
PART VII FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
46. (1) For the purposes of this Act the funds of the
Central Authority shall be—
(a) the proceeds of loans which may be
raised by the Minister from time to
time for the purposes of this Act:
Provided that pending the raising of any such loans it
shall be lawful for the Minister by warrant under his hand to
authorise the Accountant General to make advances to the
Central Authority in such sums and on such terms and
conditions as he may think fit;
(b) such other moneys as may be
authorised by resolution of the
National Assembly to be paid to the
Central Authority out of the
Consolidated Fund;
(c) such other moneys as may accrue to
the Central Authority under this Act.
(2) Such funds shall be applied towards—
(a) the payment of the cost of acquisition
of any land or buildings authorised to
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Financial and
accounting
matters.
be acquired;
(b) the payment of all insurance, rates,
taxes and other statutory claims on
any land or buildings acquired;
(c) the payment of all expenses
authorised by this Act;
(d) the creation of a reserve fund as the
Central Authority may in their
discretion consider sufficient;
(e) the payment of interest on loans and
the repayment of such loans;
(f) the assistance, with the approval of
the Minister, of persons of the
working class to erect dwelling-
houses on land the property of any
such person, or let or leased to any
such person for such purpose;
(g) the making of advances as authorised
by this Act;
(h) any other purpose approved by the
Minister.
47. (1) All matters of a financial nature relating to the
affairs of the Central Authority shall be considered by the
Central Authority at a duly constituted meeting, and the
approval of the Central Authority shall be by resolution
thereof.
(2) All moneys payable to the Central Authority
shall be collected and received for and on account of the
funds of the Central Authority. Receipts for moneys paid to
the Central Authority may be signed by such officer as may
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be appointed by the Central Authority to receive such
moneys.
(3) All payments out of the funds of the Central
Authority shall be made, upon vouchers submitted to and
approved by the Chairman, by an officer appointed for the
purpose by the Central Authority.
(4) The Central Authority shall cause proper
accounts and books in relation thereto to be kept in such form
as the Central Authority may approve.
(5) All moneys of the Central Authority shall be
paid into a bank or banks appointed for the purpose by
resolution of the Central Authority, and such moneys shall, as
far as practicable, be paid in to the bank from day to day, save
and except such sum as any officer may be authorised by
resolution of the Central Authority to retain in his hand to
meet petty disbursements and for immediate payment.
(6) Cheques against the banking account required
to be kept by the Central Authority shall be signed by the
Chairman and such other member of the Central Authority as
may be appointed by resolution for the purpose, and
countersigned by an officer authorised by resolution of the
Central Authority.
(7) The Central Authority shall by resolution,
provide for the following matters—
(a) the bank or banks into which the
moneys of the Central Authority shall
be paid, the title of any account with
any such bank and the transfer of
funds from one account to another;
(b) the appointment of a member of the
Central Authority to sign cheques
where the Chairman is temporarily
not available so to do;
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Special
accounts to be

Report and
audited
accounts to be
forwarded
annually to the
Minister.
(c) the appointment of officers to receive
and to make payments on behalf of
the Central Authority;
(d) the amount to be retained by the
officers appointed under paragraph
(c) to meet petty disbursements and
immediate payments;
(e) the vouchers required and the method
to be adopted in making payment out
of the funds of the Central Authority;
(f) generally as to all matters necessary
for the proper keeping and control of
the accounts and books and the
control of the finances of the Central
Authority; and
(g) the execution of letting agreements
and other documents by or on behalf
of the Central Authority.
48. The Central Authority shall keep a Housing
Revenue Account and a Housing Repairs Account in the
manner provided in the Second Schedule hereto, and such
other accounts as may be prescribed by regulations made
under section 55.
49. (1) The Central Authority shall transmit to the
Minister as soon as possible after the expiration of each year a
report upon the administration of the affairs of the Central
Authority together with a balance sheet and statement of the
revenue and expenditure of the Central Authority duly
audited by the Auditor-General.
(2) The report shall be laid before the National
kept.
Second
Schedule.
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Exemption in
respect of fees
collected by the
Registrar of
Deeds.
c. 5:01

Power of public
departments
and Local
Authorities to
make
agreements in
connection
with schemes.


Power of
Central
Authority and
owners to enter
into
agreements
restricting use
of land.

Assembly.
50. Anything contained in any regulations made from
time to time under the Deeds Registry Act to the contrary
notwithstanding, where the Central Authority is a party to a
transport, mortgage, lease or cancellation of mortgage, no fee
chargeable under those regulations in respect of the transport,
mortgage, lease or cancellation of mortgage shall be collected
by the Registrar of Deeds.
PART VIII GENERAL
51. For the purpose of co-operating with the Central
Authority in the preparation of or the carrying into effect of a
scheme any government department or any Local Authority
may, subject to the approval of the Minister, enter into
agreements for securing that any land which is under the
control of, or in the occupation of, or vested for public
purposes or for the public service in, the government
department or the Local Authority shall, so far as may be
provided by such agreement, be laid out and used in
conformity with the general objects of the scheme, and any
agreement so made may contain such consequential and
incidental provisions, including provisions of a financial
character, as appear to be necessary or desirable having
regard to the contents or proposed contents of the scheme.
52. (1) Where any person is willing to agree with the
Central Authority that his land or any part thereof, shall, so
far as his interest in the land enables him to bind it, be made
subject, either permanently or for a specified period, to
conditions restricting the planning development or use
thereof in any manner, the Central Authority may, if they
think fit, enter into an agreement with him to that effect.
(2) Any agreement entered into under this section
shall be registered in the Deeds Registry and the conditions
therein contained shall create a registered interest within the
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c. 5:01
Service of
notices, etc., on
Central
Authority and
on other
persons.
meaning of the Deeds Registry Act.
53. (1) Any notice, summons, writ or other proceeding
at law or otherwise required to be served on the Central
Authority for any of the purposes of this Act may be served
upon them by delivering it to their secretary, or by leaving it
at their office with some person employed there, or by
sending it by post in a registered letter addressed to the
Central Authority or their secretary at their office.
(2) Any notice, order or other document required
or authorised to be served under this Act may, subject to
subsection (1), be served—
(a) by delivering it to the person on
whom it is to be served; or
(b) by leaving it at the usual or last
known place of abode of that person;
or
(c) by sending it by post in a prepaid
letter addressed to the person at his
usual or last known place of abode
provided that such place of abode is
in a postal delivery district; or
(d) in the case of an incorporated
company or body, by delivering it to
the secretary or clerk of the company
or body at their registered or principal
office or sending it in a prepaid letter
addressed to the secretary or clerk of
the company or body at that office; or
(e) if it is not practicable after reasonable
inquiry to ascertain the name or the
address of any person on whom it
should be served, by addressing it to
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Summary
procedure.

Regulations.
[4 of 1972]
him by the description of “owner” or
“lessee” or “occupier” (or as the case
may be) of the premises (naming
them) to which it relates, and by
delivering it to some person on the
premises (naming them) to which it
relates, or, if there is no person on the
premises to whom it can be delivered,
by affixing it, or a copy of it, to some
conspicuous part of the premises.
54. (1) Where any application is made under or by
virtue of this Act to a magistrate acting in the exercise of his
civil jurisdiction, the magistrate may summon the parties to
appear before him at a time and place to be named in the
summons, and upon the appearance of such parties or in the
absence of any of them upon proof of the due service of the
summons, the magistrate shall have power to hear and
determine the question at issue and the amount of any
compensation, and for that purpose to examine such parties
or any of them and their witnesses upon oath, and the costs of
every such inquiry shall be at the discretion of the magistrate
and he shall settle the amount thereof.
(2) Any party to the application who is dissatisfied
with a decision of a magistrate under subsection (1) may
appeal therefrom to a judge of the High Court in Chambers,
by way of originating summons filed within seven clear days
after the decision and returnable on a date fixed by the
Registrar.
55. Subject to negative resolution of the National
Assembly, the Central Authority may, with approval of the
Minister, make regulations relating to the following matters—
(a) the duties of the officers, servants and
agents of the Central Authority;
(b) fixing and from time to time varying
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the number of persons who may
occupy a dwelling-house which is let
by the Central Authority, and for the
separation of sexes therein;
(c) the use of the dwellings let by the
Central Authority with a view to the
prevention of fire, nuisances and
sanitary defects, and with a view to
the enforcing and promoting of
cleanliness and ventilation;
(d) the taking of precautions in any such
dwellings in the case of any infectious
disease;
(e) ensuring the occupation of any such
dwellings in a tenantable manner and
the prevention of damage to, or
destruction of, any part thereof by a
tenant or other person;
(f) the inspection of houses and land
vested in the Central Authority;
(g) the time, place and manner for the
payment of moneys payable to the
Central Authority under this Act;
(h) the books and accounts to be kept by
the Central Authority and the manner
in which they are to be kept;
(i) prescribing the forms of mortgages,
charges, leases, letting agreements
and other instruments;
(j) generally, for regulating the
administration of the Central
Authority and for the purpose of
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Protection of
Central
Authority and
other persons
acting under
Act.
c. 5:07

Transfer to the
Central
Authority of
certain rights,
assets and
liabilities.
[18 of 1946
18 of 1950]
carrying out the provisions of this
Act.
56. (1) The Central Authority, and every person acting
under this Act, shall be entitled to the protection afforded by
the Justices Protection Act.
(2) No personal liability shall attach to any
member of the Central Authority in respect of anything done
or suffered in good faith under this Act, and any sums of
money, damages or costs which may be recovered against
members of the Central Authority or any of them for anything
done or suffered as aforesaid shall be paid out of moneys
provided by Parliament.
57.(1) There shall be transferred from the
Wortmanville Housing Scheme Committee incorporated by
the (repealed) Wortmanville Housing Scheme Ordinance,
1946, to the Central Authority—
(a) the right, title and interest and all the
obligations of the lessee under the
lease of the lands known as lots 16-16
and 17-17 south, Wortmanville, in the
City of Georgetown, executed on the
3rd June, 1946 (Lease No. 30 of 1946)
by the Incorporated Trustees of the
Church in the Diocese of Guiana in
favour of British Guiana;
(b) the buildings constructed by the
Wortmanville Housing Scheme
Committee on the said lands subject
to the letting agreements made in
respect thereof;
(c) generally all the assets and liabilities
of the Wortmanville Housing Scheme
Committee.
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Construction of
this Part.
[4 of 1972]
Interpretation.


(2) The National Assembly may by resolution
waive payment of such portion of any loan charges which the
Central Authority is liable to pay in respect of moneys
borrowed by the Central Authority in connection with the
Wortmanville Housing Scheme for the purposes of this Act.
(3) There shall be vested in the Central Authority
all the rights and obligations of the Commissioner of Local
Government under and arising out of certain agreements in
writing made and entered into between certain owner-
occupiers of Leguan, Wakenaam and the Essequibo Coast and
the Commissioner of Local Government whereunder the said
owner-occupiers transferred to the Commissioner of Local
Government their right, title and interest in houses built,
extended and repaired by them with the aid of moneys
loaned to them by the Commissioner of Local Government
out of funds provided for the purpose.
PART IX SPEEDY REMEDYING OF INSANITARY CONDITIONS IN
SLUM AREAS AND OF OVERCROWDING IN DWELLING-
HOUSES
58. This Part shall have effect notwithstanding
anything to the contrary contained in the foregoing Parts.
59.(1) In this Part—
“Committee” means the Slum Clearance Committee
established under section 61;
“special slum clearance area” means an area defined and
declared as such for the purposes of this Part in the
manner hereinafter set out.
(2) For the purposes of this Part, the word “owner”
as defined in section 2 shall be deemed to include the agent or
trustee of the owner.
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Application of
this Part.


Establishment
of the Slum
Clearance
Committee.
Constitution of
the Committee.
60. (1) This Part shall apply to land and buildings
within the boundaries of the City of Georgetown and the
Town of New Amsterdam.
(2) The Minister may, by order published in the
Gazette declare that the provisions of this Part shall apply to
any area described in the order.
SLUM CLEARANCE COMMITTEE
61. There shall be established a Committee under the
name and style of the Slum Clearance Committee (hereinafter
in this Act referred to as “the Committee”) with the powers,
duties and functions in this Part mentioned.
62. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the Committee shall
consist of four members as follows:
(a) a chairman who shall be the chairman
of the Central Authority; and
(b) three members of the Central
Authority appointed by the Central
Authority, subject to the Minister’s
approval.
(2) Whenever the Committee has under
consideration any matter affecting the area of a Local
Authority, the Committee shall co- opt the Medical Officer of
Health, if any, of such Local Authority as a member of the
said Committee, and such co-opted member shall have the
right of deliberating and voting in the same manner as any
other member of the Committee.
(3) In the case of resignation, removal, absence or
inability to act, of any member of the Committee, the Central
Authority shall forthwith proceed, subject to the Minister’s
approval, to appoint a member of the Central Authority to fill
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Meetings of the
Committee.


Slum Clearance
Committee to
exercise powers
of Central
Authority.
the vacancy thus created by such resignation or removal, or to
act as a member of the Committee during such absence or
inability, as the case may be.
63.(1) At every meeting of the Committee three
members, one of whom shall be the chairman and one of
whom may be a co-opted member, shall form a quorum.
(2) All acts of the Committee, and all questions
coming or arising before the Committee, shall be done and
decided by the majority of votes of such members of the
Committee as are present and vote thereon.
(3) The Committee shall have power to regulate its
procedure, and, without prejudice to the generality of the
foregoing words, may arrive at decisions by the circulation of
papers save in respect of the powers exercisable by the
Committee under sections 66 and 67.
64.(1) The Committee shall be a Committee of the
Central Authority, and shall have and exercise such of the
powers conferred upon the Central Authority by the
foregoing Parts, as may be necessary to carry out or facilitate
the duties of the Committee under this Part, and shall in
addition have such further powers as are conferred upon the
Committee by this Part.
(2) Any decision, order or act of the Committee
arrived at, given or done under the powers hereby conferred
upon it shall be deemed to be a decision, order or act of the
Central Authority, and the Central Authority shall not do, or
omit to do, anything which may conflict with or hinder any
such decision, order or act of the Committee.
(3) This section shall have effect notwithstanding
anything contained to the contrary in the foregoing Parts,
and, without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing
words, notwithstanding anything contained to the contrary in
section 70.
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Committee
subject to the
control of the
Minister.

Closing orders
and dwelling-
houses unfit for
human
habitation.
65. The Minister may from time to time issue such
general or special directions to the Committee in respect of
the exercise of the powers, duties and functions of the
Committee under this Part as he may think fit, and the
Committee shall comply with, carry out and enforce such
directions.
CLOSING ORDERS AND SPECIAL SLUM CLEARANCE
AREAS
66.(1) Anything contained in any enactment to the
contrary notwithstanding, whenever any dwelling-house is in
the opinion of the Committee ruinous or so dilapidated as to
have become and to be unfit for human habitation or a
nuisance or injurious or likely to be injurious to health, the
Committee may order that such dwelling-house shall not be
used for human habitation:
Provided that—
(a) prior to making any such order, the
Committee shall cause the landlord of
such dwelling-house or his agent to
be notified of the proposed action,
and such landlord shall be given the
opportunity of submitting in writing
to the Committee any objection or
suggestion within a specified period
(not being less than two clear days
after the date of the service of the
notice); and
(b) no such order shall be made by the
Committee until the period for
submitting objections or suggestions
has elapsed and unless the objections
or suggestions made (if any) have
been considered by the Committee.

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(2) (a) Any order made by the Committee
under the provisions of subsection (1)
of this section (hereinafter referred to
as a “closing order”) shall be final and
shall not be questioned in any court.
(b) Any such order shall take effect
immediately after being served on the
landlord concerned or his agent, and
may be cancelled by the Committee
on its being satisfied that the
dwelling-house has been rendered fit
for human habitation, or for any other
reason in the absolute discretion of
the Committee.
(3) The Committee may by notice served on the
landlord, or on the agent of the landlord, of any dwelling-
house, in relation to which a closing order has been made
under this section and is still in force, require him to do, to the
satisfaction of the Committee, within a reasonable time to be
specified in the notice, any one or more of the following
things, namely—
(a) secure or repair such dwelling-house;
(b) furnish and supply it with all
requisite fittings and conveniences; or
(c) do such other work as may be
deemed expedient:
Provided that a notice under this subsection shall not be
served unless the arrangements mentioned in section 68(1)(a)
have been made.
(4) If the requirements of a notice served under
subsection (3) in relation to a dwelling-house are not fully
complied with to the satisfaction of the Committee, it shall be
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Power to
declare an area
to be a special
slum clearance
area.
lawful for the Committee to decide that the premises of which
such dwelling-house forms part be acquired and such
premises shall thereupon be acquired by the Central
Authority with all due diligence and subject to the provisions
of section 68:
Provided that no such decision shall be arrived at by the
Committee unless the owner of the building of which the
dwelling-house forms part has been notified, at least five days
before the day on which the matter is to be considered by the
Committee, that representations in writing may be made by
him to the Committee before the said day.
67. (1) Where the Committee, as a result of an
inspection or upon consideration of a report from any of the
officers, servants or agents of the Central Authority, or of a
representation made to the Committee by any person, or of
information in the possession of the Committee, is satisfied
that the housing conditions in any area are dangerous or
injurious or likely to be injurious to the health and welfare of
the inhabitants therein by reason of the disrepair or sanitary
defects of, or the overcrowding in, dwelling-houses therein,
or of the bad arrangement of the dwelling-houses, or of the
narrowness or bad arrangement of the roads and that those
conditions can be effectually remedied—
(a) by ordering the demolition or repair,
as the circumstances may require, of
those buildings consisting wholly or
in part of dwelling-houses which are
unfit for human habitation; or
(b) by the acquisition by the Central
Authority of all or any of the lands or
buildings comprised in the area and
by the Committee undertaking or
otherwise securing the demolition,
reconstruction or repair, as the
circumstances may require, of any
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such buildings or the development of
any such buildings or the
development of any such land; or
(c) if it is so desired, by the acquisition of
any land or buildings adjacent to the
area which it is expedient to acquire
for the development thereof or the
acquisition of which is reasonably
necessary for the purpose of securing
a cleared area of convenient shape
and dimensions or for the satisfactory
development or use thereof—
the Committee may cause that area to be defined on a plan
(which shall be prepared by a sworn land surveyor) in such a
manner as to exclude therefrom any land or building in
respect of which sanitary defects do not, in its opinion, exist,
or which the Committee does not find it expedient to acquire
for the remedying of overcrowding or badly arranged
conditions, but so as to include buildings which are, in its
opinion, in a state of disrepair and any adjacent lands or
buildings which it is desired to acquire, and the Committee
may declare the area so defined to be a special slum clearance
area.
(2) When a declaration such as is mentioned in
subsection (1) of this section has been made, the Committee
shall cause notice thereof to be published once in the Gazette
and in one local daily newspaper, and the declaration of the
special slum clearance area shall take effect as from the date
of such publication if simultaneous or from the date of the
later of the two publications, as the case may be.
(3) The plan on which a special slum clearance area
has been defined, or a copy thereof shall be deposited at the
office of the Central Authority, and at the office of the Local
Authority of the City, town or district in which the slum
clearance area is situate, and shall be open to inspection
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Power of
Committee in
relation to
special slum
clearance areas
and dwelling-
houses unfit for
human
habitation.
during office hours.
68. (1) Whenever the Committee shall have declared
any area to be a special slum clearance area or has made a
closing order in relation to any dwelling-house, it shall be
lawful for the Committee to do any one or more of the
following things:
(a) to make such arrangements as may be
necessary or practicable for the
accommodation, temporary or
otherwise, of all persons resident in
such area or in such dwelling-house
on the date at which such area
becomes a special slum clearance area
or such dwelling-house becomes
subject to a closing order, and to
notify all occupiers for whom
accommodation has been arranged to
remove from such area or dwelling-
house within such period as may be
specified in the order;
(b) without any recourse to any court, to
order the eviction, by force if
necessary, of any occupier who has
been notified as provided in
paragraph (a) and who has failed to
comply with such notification, or of
any other person found residing in
any such area or dwelling-house;
(c) to prohibit the use of any land or
building included in a special slum
clearance area or of any dwelling-
house, in relation to which a closing
order is in force, for any purpose
other than a purpose approved by
the Committee and in accordance
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with directions given by the
Committee;
(d) (i) to cause to be served upon the
owner of any building included
in a special slum clearance area
a notice requiring him, within
such reasonable time as may be
specified in such notice, to
repair and improve the
building by the execution of the
works specified in the notice or
to demolish the building, and
in default of compliance with
such notice, the Committee
shall have the right to carry out
the requirements of such notice
and the cost of such repairs or
demolition shall be a first
charge on the premises;
(ii) The Central Authority may also
recover such cost as a simple
contract debt from the owner
and may, in its discretion,
accept payment by instalments:
Provided that where there is more than one owner—
(a) the cost of such repairs,
improvement or demolition
may be apportioned among
them in such shares as the
Committee may consider to be
just, and such cost may be
recovered from them in such
shares; and
(b) any person who pays to the
Committee the full amount or
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c. 62:05
more than his just share of such
cost shall be entitled to recover
from any co-owner such
contribution as the Committee
may determine to be due to
him from such co- owner;
(e) to decide from time to time that any
of the lands or buildings in a special
slum clearance area be acquired by
the Central Authority and whenever a
resolution to that effect, describing the
lands or buildings to be acquired, has
been passed by the Committee—
(i) the acquisition by the Central
Authority of any such lands or
buildings is hereby authorised,
and may be effected by private
treaty or by compulsory
acquisition under the
Acquisition of Lands for Public
Purposes Act as modified by
sections 28 and 30 of this Act;
(ii) the Committee may, by
resolution published in the
Gazette, decide that such lands
or buildings shall be
compulsorily acquired by the
Central Authority, such
resolution shall have effect as if
it were a resolution passed
under section 29(1) with the
approval of the Minister, and
the lands or buildings as
aforesaid shall vest in the
Central Authority as provided
in section 29;
(iii) subject to the foregoing
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provisions of this paragraph,
where the lands or buildings as
aforesaid have become vested
in the Central Authority either
by transport or by compulsory
acquisition under section 29,
section 27(2), section 30 (save
and except subsection (5)
thereof), and sections 31, 32 and
33, shall apply, and the
Committee shall have the right
to exercise such consequential
powers as are vested in the
Central Authority by sections
38 and 39;
(f) to construct new buildings on land
acquired by the Central Authority as
aforesaid, or to improve or alter any
existing buildings acquired by the
Central Authority, as the Committee
may decide.
(2) The powers conferred by subsection (l)(c) and
(d) shall not be exercised by the Committee unless the
provisions of paragraph (a) of the said subsection have been
complied with.
(3) Any order made by the Committee in exercise
of the power conferred by subsection (l)(b) may be carried out
by any person authorised in writing by the chairman of the
Committee, and no action shall in any case be brought against
any such person in respect of anything done in pursuance of
such authority
(4) Any prohibition made in exercise of the power
conferred by subsection (l)(c) shall take effect seven days after
notice thereof has been served on the owner of the land or
building concerned, or on the landlord of the dwelling-house
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Restrictions on
buildings in
area declared
to be a special
slum clearance
area.
concerned or his agent, as the case may be:
Provided that the period of seven days specified
above may be extended by the Committee in the exercise of
its absolute discretion.
(5) When there is any infringement of a prohibition
duly made and notified or of any direction given under
subsection (1), the Committee shall have power to order that
any person or thing found or anything done on any land or in
any building or dwelling-house to which such prohibition or
direction applies shall be evicted, taken out, or demolished, as
the case may be, by force if necessary, without recourse to any
court, and such order shall be carried out by any person
authorised in writing by the chairman of the Committee and
any expenses incurred may be recovered by the Central
Authority as a simple contract debt from the owner or
landlord, as the case may be, unless such owner or landlord
proves to the satisfaction of the court that he had taken all
reasonable steps to guard against such infringement.
69. (1) Whenever the Committee shall have declared
any area to be a special slum clearance area—
(a) no new building shall be constructed
therein; and
(b) no alterations or repairs shall be
effected to any existing area building
therein; and
(c) no building under construction
therein at the time of such declaration
shall be completed, without the
consent of the Committee and except
in accordance with such directions as
may be given by the Committee.
(2) In the event of any contravention of any of the
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Application of
certain sections
of Parts I to
VIII.
provisions of subsection (1), it shall be lawful for the
Committee to cause to be served upon the owner of any
building which is the subject of such contravention a notice
requiring him, within such reasonable time as may be
specified in such notice, to demolish the building or to alter it
by the execution of the works specified in the notice and in
default of compliance with such notice the Committee shall
have the right to carry out the requirement of such notice and
the cost of such demolition or alteration shall be a first charge
on the premises.
(3) The Central Authority may recover such cost as
a simple contract debt from the owner and may, in its
discretion, accept payment by instalments:
Provided that where there is more than one owner—
(a) the cost of such demolition or
alteration may be apportioned among
them in such shares as the Committee
may consider to be just, and such cost
may be recovered from them in such
shares; and
(b) any person who pays to the
Committee the full amount or more
than his just share of such cost shall
be entitled to recover from any co-
owner such contribution as the
Committee may determine to be due
to him from such co- owner.
70. For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that—
(a) sections 40, 41, 42 and 56 shall apply,
mutatis mutandis, to the Committee
and to officers of the Central
Authority in relation to the duties
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Form,
authentication
and service of
notices, orders
and any other
documents.
imposed and the powers conferred by
this Part, and the reference in section
40(1) to a scheme shall be deemed to
be a reference to the making of a
closing order or to the declaration of a
special slum clearance area under this
Part;
(b) the provisions of section 32 shall
apply in relation to persons displaced
from any dwelling-house or building
as a result of action taken by the
Committee under this Part;
(c) sections 26 and 37 shall apply in the
case of premises in respect of which
an order has been made or a notice
requiring the execution of works has
been served, in the exercise of powers
conferred by this Part;
(d) sections 67 and 68 shall have effect
notwithstanding anything contained
to the contrary in the foregoing Parts.
71. (1) Notices, orders and any other documents
required to be served or given by the Committee under this
Part may be in writing or print, or partly in writing and partly
in print.
(2) Where any such notice, order or other
document requires authentication, it shall be sufficiently
authenticated by the name of the chairman of the Committee,
or any duly authorised officer of the Central Authority being
affixed thereto in writing or in print.
(3) Any notice, order or other document required
to be served or given by the Committee under this Part on or
to the owner, landlord or occupier of any premises may be
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Provision for
protection of
owners and
landlords.

Penalty for
preventing
execution of
addressed by the description of the “owner” or “landlord” or
“occupier” of the premises (naming such premises) in respect
of which the notice, order or other document is given or
served, without further name or description.
(4) Any notice, order or other document referred to
in subsection (1) may be served—
(a) in the manner prescribed under
section 53(2)(a), (b), (c), or (d); or
(b) when addressed to the “owner” or
“landlord” or “occupier” of premises,
by delivering the same or a true copy
thereof to some person on the
premises, or, if there is no person on
the premises who can be so served, by
affixing the same or a true copy
thereof on some conspicuous part of
the premises.
72.(1) Nothing in this Part shall prejudice or interfere
with the right or remedies of the owner of a building or the
landlord of a dwelling- house for the breach, non-observance,
or non-performance of any covenant or contract entered into
by a tenant or lessee in reference to any building or dwelling-
house in respect of which an order is made, or a notice
requiring the execution of works is served, by the Committee
under this Act.
(2) If any owner or landlord is obliged to take
possession of a building or dwelling-house in order to comply
with any such order or notice, the taking possession shall not
affect his right to avail himself of any such breach, non-
observance or non-performance which has occurred before he
so took possession.
73. Any person who—
(a) being the occupier of any building or
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repairs and
certain other
acts.
[6 of 1997]

dwelling-house, prevents the owner
or landlord, as the case may be, or his
agents, servants or workmen, from
carrying into effect with respect to
such building or dwelling-house any
requirement of the Committee notice
of which has been served upon such
owner or landlord (or his agent); or
(b) being the owner of any building or
the landlord of any dwelling-house or
the agent of any such landlord or the
occupier of any such building or
dwelling-house, prevents any officer,
servant or agent or workman
authorised in writing by the chairman
of the Committee from taking any
action authorised by this Part; or
(c) being an inmate of any building or
dwelling-house, prevents the owner
or landlord or any other person upon
whom any obligations are under the
provisions of this Part imposed, or
who is authorised by the chairman of
the Committee, under the provisions
of this Part to carry into effect, with
respect to such building or dwelling-
house, any requirement of the
Committee, from so doing, after
receiving notice of the intended action
specified in paragraph (a), (b) or (c),
as the case may be, of this section,
shall be liable on summary conviction
to a fine of thirteen thousand dollars
and to a further fine of six thousand
five hundred dollars for every day or
part of a day during which such
offence continues after conviction.

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Penalty on
being found in
dwelling-
house in
respect of
which a closing
order is in
force.
[6 of 1997]

Expenditure by
Committee to
be defrayed by
the Central
Authority.
Rent of
temporary
premises
provided for
persons
removed from
slum clearance
areas.
c. 36:23
74.(1) Without prejudice to sections 67 and 68, any
person who is found in any dwelling-house declared to be
unfit for human habitation, after the expiry of the period fixed
by the Committee for removal therefrom, shall, unless he has
been permitted by the Committee to remain therein, be liable
on summary conviction to a fine of thirteen thousand dollars.
(2) Any person who uses any dwelling-house in
relation to which a closing order is in force, or permits such
dwelling-house to be used, for any purpose other than a
purpose authorised by the Committee, shall be liable on
summary conviction to a fine of thirteen thousand dollars and
to a further fine of six thousand five hundred dollars for each
day or part of a day during which such offence continues
after conviction.
75. Any expenditure incurred by the Committee shall
be deemed to have been incurred on behalf of the Central
Authority and shall be defrayed by the Central Authority on
the certificate of the chairman of the Committee.
76. (1) Where temporary accommodation has been
provided by the Committee for persons removed from any
special slum clearance area or from any dwelling-house in
relation to which a closing order has been made, the rents in
respect of such temporary accommodation shall be collected
by the Central Authority which shall be deemed to be the
landlord for all the purposes of such collection.
(2) Such premises shall not be subject to the Rent
Restriction Act, or to any order made thereunder.
--------------------

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s. 13(18)
FIRST SCHEDULE
THE HOUSING ACT
RECEIPT
(1) Received from The Central Housing and Planning
Authority the sum of (amount) on account of a loan of
(amount) to be made under the terms of the Housing Act in
respect of (state details of security offered); the loan to be
made in instalments the receipt of each instalment being
dependent on my satisfying the Central Authority or any
person authorised by them in writing, that the previous
instalment has been duly expended for the purposes for
which the loan is to be made.
(2) The said loan, together with interest and all charges
thereon, is repayable by monthly instalments of (amount) on
the.................. day in each and every month for......................
years from the date hereof or (as the case may be).
(3) If default be made in payment of any of the said
monthly instalments, or if there be any breach or non-
observance of any of the covenants expressed or implied
herein, the whole principal sum then unpaid shall become
immediately payable without further demand.
(4) I fully understand that the signing of this receipt
makes me liable to the covenants set out in the Housing Act,
and confers on The Central Housing and Planning Authority
the rights and powers specified in the said Act.
Dated this.................... day of............................20……
(Signature of Borrower).....................................
Witnesses:
(Signature of two witnesses)
.............................................................................................
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Nature of
Housing
Revenue
Account.

Credits and
debits.
--------------------
SECOND SCHEDULE
(Accounts to be kept by the Central Authority)
HOUSING REVENUE ACCOUNT
1.The Central Authority shall keep an account (to be
called the Housing Revenue Account) of the income and
expenditure in respect of—
(a) all dwelling-houses and other
buildings which at any time have
been provided for the housing of
persons of the working class;
(b) all land which at any time has been
acquired or appropriated under the
Act.
2. (1) The Central Authority shall carry to the credit of
the Housing Revenue Account amounts equal to the income
of the Central Authority for each year from rents in respect of
such dwelling-houses, buildings and land as are mentioned in
paragraph 1 of this Schedule, and shall debit to the account
amounts equal to—
(i) the loan charges which the
Central Authority are liable to
pay for that year in respect of
moneys borrowed by the
Central Authority for the
purposes of this Act;
(ii) rents, taxes, rates and other
charges which the Central
Authority are liable to pay for
that year in respect of such
s. 48
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dwelling-houses, buildings and
land;
(iii) the expenditure of the Central
Authority for that year in
respect of the supervision of
such dwelling-houses,
buildings and land;
(iv) the contribution, if any,
required to be made by the
Central Authority for that year
to the Housing Repairs Account
kept in accordance with this
Act; and
(v) the contribution, if any, made
by way of assistance to persons
of the working class towards
the purchase or erection of
dwelling-houses.
(2) Where any such dwelling-house, building or
land as is mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Schedule has been
sold or otherwise disposed of, an amount equal to any income
of the Central Authority arising from the investment or other
use of capital money received by the Central Authority in
respect of the transaction shall, unless the Minister otherwise
directs in respect of the whole or any part of such income, be
carried to the credit of the Housing Revenue Account in like
manner as if it has been income from rents.
(3) An amount equal to any income of the Central
Authority arising from an investment or other use of
borrowed moneys in respect of which the Central Authority
are required to debit loan charges to the Housing Revenue
Account shall be carried to the credit of that account in like
manner as if it had been income from rents.
(4) Where it appears to the Minister that amounts
in respect of any incomings or outgoings other than as
aforesaid ought properly to be credited or debited to the
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Disposal of
balances.
Keeping of
Housing
Repairs
Account.
Housing Revenue Account, or that amounts in respect of any
of the incomings and outgoings aforesaid which ought
properly to have been credited or debited thereto have not
been so credited or debited, or that any amounts have been
improperly credited or debited to that account, he may give
directions for the appropriate debits or credits to be made, or
for the rectification of the account, as the case may require.
3. (1) Subject to sub-paragraph (2), at the end of each
financial year any surplus shown in the Housing Revenue
Account shall be carried forward in the account to the next
financial year.
(2) Any surplus shown at the end of the first five
years of the operations of the Central Authority or at the end
of any fifth succeeding year may, with the consent of the
Minister, be applied, in whole or in part, in either of the
following ways or partly in one of those ways and partly in
the other, that is to say—
(a) by carrying it forward in the Housing
Revenue Account to the next financial
year;
(b) by transferring it to the Housing
Repairs Account.
HOUSING REPAIRS ACCOUNT
4. (1) Subject to the provisions of this paragraph the
Central Authority shall, for the purpose of equalising so far as
practicable the annual charge to their revenue in respect of
the repair and maintenance of dwelling-houses and buildings
keep an account (to be called the Housing Repairs Account),
and shall in each financial year carry to the credit of that
account from the Housing Revenue Account in respect of
each dwelling-house and building such amount as they may
think proper, not being less than an amount equal to fifteen
per cent of the annual rent, and such amount (if any) as may
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be necessary to make good any deficit shown in the Housing
Repairs Account at the end of the last preceding year.
(2) Subject to this Act, moneys standing to the
credit of the Housing Repairs Account shall be applied only
in meeting expenses incurred in respect of the repair and
maintenance of the dwelling-houses and buildings.
(3) If at any time it appears to the Minister, after
consultation with the Central Authority, that the moneys
standing to the credit of the Housing Repairs Account are
more than sufficient for the purposes for which the account is
to be kept he may give such directions as he thinks proper for
the reduction of the amounts to be credited to the account, or
for the suspension of the carrying of credits thereto, or for the
closing of the account and the application of any moneys
standing to the credit thereof, as the case may be.
--------------------

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SUBSIDIARY LEGISLATION
_________________
O. 25/1973 COMPULSORY ACQUISTION OF LANDS
(PLANTATION CRAIG MILNE)
(VALUATION) ORDER.
made under section 30 (7)(b)

Citation.
Determination
of valuation
Schedule.
1.This Order may be cited as the Compulsory
Acquisition of Lands (Plantation Craig Milne) (Valuation)
Order.
2. It is hereby prescribed that in relation to the two
tracts of land described in the Schedule two hundred per cent
of the value thereof ascertained by reference to prices current
at the 31st March, 1939shall be added to the value so
ascertained.
--------------------
SCHEDULE
Block 1 bordered in red and Block 2 bordered in green all
being part of a tract of land known as Plantation Craig Milne,
situate on the East Coast of the county of Demerara, in
Guyana, the said tract of land being laid down and defined on
a plan by William Chalmers, 1st Asst. Crown Surveyor, dated
6th April, 1883 on record in the Department of Lands and
Mines as plan No. 738. The said Block 1 bordered in red and
Block 2 bordered in green being shown and defined on
attached plan by T. Singh, Sworn Land Surveyor, dated 8th
November, 1971.
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O. 18/1976 COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LANDS
(PLANTATION BEEHIVE) (VALUATION)
ORDER
made under section 30 (7)(b)
Citation.
Determination
of valuation
Schedule.
1. This Order may be cited as the Compulsory
Acquisition of Lands (Plantation Beehive) (Valuation) Order.
2. It is hereby prescribed that in relation to the two
blocks of land described in the Schedule, two hundred per
cent of the value thereof ascertained by reference to prices
current at the 31st March, 1939 shall be added to the value so
ascertained.
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SCHEDULE
Blocks “A” and “B” being portions of Section “A” of
Plantation Beehive, situate on the East Coast of the County of
Demerara, Guyana. The said section “A” being shown on a
plan by S. S. M. Insanally, Sworn Land Surveyor, dated 15th
October, 1926 and deposited in the Deeds Registry,
Georgetown on 5th July, 1932.
The said blocks A and B containing 29.322 acres and
9.733 acres respectively being shown and defined on a plan
by C. R. Ting-A-Kee, Sworn Land Surveyor, dated 13th
October, 1975, and deposited in the Deeds Registry at
Georgetown on the 30th day of January, 1976.
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O. 21/1976
Citation.
Determination
of valuation.
Schedule.

COMPULSORY ACQUISITION OF LANDS
(PLANTATION MOUNT SINAI) (VALUATION) ORDER
made under section 30(7)(b)
1. This Order may be cited as the Compulsory
Acquisition of Lands (Plantation Mount Sinai) (Valuation)
Order.
2. It is hereby prescribed that in relation to the lots of
land described two hundred per cent of the value thereof
ascertained by reference to prices current at the 31st March,
1939 shall be added to the value so ascertained.
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SCHEDULE
House lots A to X (inclusive) and Cultivation lots 1 to 35
(inclusive), all situate north of the public road, the said house
lots and cultivation lots being portions of Pln. Mount Sinai,
situate on the left bank of the Canje River, in the County of
Berbice, Guyana, the said house lots and cultivation lots
having a total area of 161.85 aces. as shown defined on a plan
dated 20th August, 1949, by J. L. Yhap, Government
Surveyor, and deposited in the Deeds Registry, New
Amsterdam, Berbice on the 16th September, 1949.
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Reg. 15/1948

Citation.
Letting
agreements.
Schedule.

HOUSING (FORM OF LETTING AGREEMENT)
REGULATIONS
made under section 55
1. These Regulations may be cited as the Housing
(Form of. Letting Agreement) Regulations.
2. The letting agreements between the Central
Housing and Planning Authority and their tenants shall be in
the form in the Schedule or as near thereto as circumstances
permit.
--------------------
SCHEDULE
GUYANA
THIS AGREEMENT made this ............................... day of
.................................in the year of Our Lord Two thousand
and..........................................between THE CENTRAL
HOUSING AND PLANNING AUTHORITY hereinafter
called “the Landlord” of the One Part And
............................................. of ...........................................................
hereinafter called “the Tenant” (which expression shall
include the person to whom is leased the premises hereinafter
mentioned and the permitted assigns of the tenant and any
other person in actual occupation of the premises with the
consent of the tenant) WHEREBY it is agreed as follows:
1. The Landlord agrees to let and the tenant agrees to
take as a dwelling house the building and the curtilage
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numbered.................. of.................................... Street at
....................................... in the Ward of............................................
at the monthly rental of ................................................. dollars
payable in advance. The tenancy will commence on the
......................day of ............................20........
2. The rent is payable on the first day of each month to
the Authorised Collector at his place of business; the first of
such payments however as to the proportionate part thereof
in respect of the current month shall be paid on the signing
hereof. The Collector shall issue receipts in the form approved
by the Landlord.
3. The tenant shall use the building for residential
purposes only, except where otherwise specified.
4. No fires shall be kept in coal pots, stoves or other
receptacles, nor shall the preparations and cooking of food be
done, save in that portion of the building provided for use as
a kitchen.
5. The Tenant shall keep the premises in a clean and
wholesome state, and as often as may be necessary, cause
every room in the building to be thoroughly cleansed and
freed from vermin, to the satisfaction of the Landlord.
6. The Tenant shall cause every window and every
fixture and fitting of wood, stone, or metal, and every painted
surface in every room to be thoroughly cleansed with soap
and water as often as may be requisite.
7. The Tenant shall provide a refuse bin of approved
design in which all refuse shall be stored pending regular
collection by the appropriate Authority. He shall maintain all
open spaces free from litter and in an orderly condition.
8. Every drain, closet, sink and bath shall be kept in a
good and sanitary condition, and any defect in any drain,
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closet, sink, bath, tap or pipe shall be immediately
communicated to the Landlord.
9. The Tenant shall not deposit in any basin or sink in
a water-closet, any acid or other chemicals which might
interfere with the action of or cause damage to the sewer
pipes or septic tank, or any rag, cloth or other material which
may cause a choke in the outlet, and shall carefully follow the
instructions with regard to the proper manner of using the
sewerage system which connects with the septic tank.
10. The Tenant shall not without the prior consent of
the Landlord cut down any tree growing on the rented
premises save in the case of an emergency and in order to
avoid a possible accident in which event he shall report the
action taken within 24 hours to the Landlord.
11. The Tenant shall carefully safeguard the
buildings against damage. In the event of wilful damage or of
damage caused by the default of the tenant (excluding any
damage due to reasonable wear and tear) he shall be liable for
the cost of making good such damage. The Tenant shall not
himself or by his agent, undertake the making good of any
damage, however caused, but shall report the same to the
Landlord who shall arrange for the necessary repairs to be
carried out.
12. Any expenditure incurred in making good such
damage as is mentioned in clause 11 and certified as such by
the Landlord shall be payable by the tenants within seven
days of the communication thereof in writing to the tenant
and the sum so certified may in the discretion of the Landlord
be made payable by instalments. The sum or sums payable
shall be added to the rent and be recoverable in the manner
provided for the recovery of rent in arrear including the
taking and seizure of the goods and chattels of the tenant as
distress for arrears of rent; and where the sum so certified is
payable by instalments and default shall be made in the
payment of any one or more instalments the whole sum shall
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be immediately recoverable in the manner hereinabove
expressed.
13. The Tenant shall not make or cause or permit to be
made on the premises any excavation which may endanger
the stability of the buildings or which may hold water, nor
shall he, without the prior consent of the Landlord, remove
from the premises or cause or permit to be removed, any
earth, rock or gravel.
14. The Tenant shall not make, or cause or permit to
be made, any alteration or addition whatsoever to the
buildings, or the erection of any additional building or other
structure, or the enclosure of any veranda or gallery, and shall
preserve the keys of the said buildings.
15. The Tenant shall not display, or cause or permit to
be displayed on the premises, any advertisement or public
notice without permission from the Landlord.
16. The Landlord shall be at liberty by its duly
appointed servant or agent, who in common with other
persons in the employ of the Central Housing and Planning
Authority shall be supplied with the proper authority or
identification mark of the Landlord, at any time between 7
a.m. and 6 p.m. during the existence of the tenancy
agreement, to enter into and upon the rented premises for the
purpose of inspecting the state and condition thereof.
17. The Tenant shall not assign, dispose of, underlet or
part with the possession of entirety or any part of the rented
premises without the previous consent in writing of the
Landlord first had and obtained.
18. The Tenant will not suffer or occasion any
annoyance to the occupiers of buildings in the locality, and
will preserve the amenities of the said locality.
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19. The tenancy may be terminated by either party to
this agreement at any time serving upon the other fourteen
days’ notice in writing of intention to terminate the same.
Signed by
in the presence of
Signed by
on behalf of the Landlord
in the presence of:
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Housing (Form of Letting Agreement) Regulations