Public Health (Scotland) Act 1897

150Local authority may require payment of costs, &c. from owner or occupier, and occupier paying to deduct from rent.

It shall be lawful for the local authority, at their discretion, to require the payment of any costs or expenses which the owner of any premises may be liable to pay under this Act either from the owner or from any person who then or at any time thereafter occupies such premises, and such owner or occupier shall be liable to pay the same, and the same shall be recovered in manner authorised by this Act. and the owner shall allow such occupier to deduct the sums of money which he so pays out of the rent from time to time becoming due in respect of the said premises, as if the same had been actually paid to such owner as part of such rent: Provided always, that no such occupier who shall not be the author of a nuisance shall be required to pay any further sum than the amount of rent for the time being due from him, or which, after such demand of such costs or expenses from such occupier, and after notice not to pay his landlord any rent without first deducting the amount of such costs or expenses, becomes payable by such occupier unless he refuse, on application being made to him for that purpose by or on behalf of the local authority, truly to disclose the amount of his rent and the name and address of the person to whom such rent is payable, but the burden of proof that the sum demanded from any "such occupier is greater than the rent due by him at the time of such notice, or which has since accrued, shall lie upon such occupier: Provided also, that nothing herein contained shall be taken to affect as between the contracting parties any contract made or to be made between any owner, tenant, or occupier of any house, building, or other property, whereby it is or may be agreed that the tenant or occupier shall pay or discharge all rates, dues, and sums of money payable in respect of such house, building, or other property, or to affect as between the contracting parties any contract whatsoever between landlord and tenant.