Under Part III of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, district councils and London Borough Councils are under a duty to inspect their areas for statutory nuisances and investigate complaints. If the authority considers it likely to occur or recur, it must serve an abatement notice on the person responsible for the nuisance. Failure to comply with the notice or demonstrate a reasonable excuse or use the best practicable means to deal with the nuisance can result in fines of up to £20,000.