The Tamil Nadu Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1971 (1971)
The Tamil Nadu Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1971, Tamil Nadu Act No. 11 of 1971, was enacted by the Legislature of the State of Tamil Nadu, received the President's assent on 2 May 1971 and was first published in the on 4 May 1971. It provides for declaring, improving, clearing and re...
What the Act governs
The Tamil Nadu Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1971 applies throughout Tamil Nadu, but its provisions commence on dates appointed by the State Government through notification. Different dates may be appointed for different areas and provisions.
The law addresses unhealthy and insanitary conditions in slums, basic needs such as streets, water supply and drainage, improved accommodation, redevelopment and rehabilitation of slum dwellers.
Who may be affected
The Tamil Nadu Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1971 may affect:
- Owners, including people entitled to receive rent personally or as an agent, trustee, executor, administrator, receiver or guardian.
- Occupiers, including tenants, rent free tenants, licensees, owners using their own property and people liable to pay damages for occupation.
- People claiming an interest in compensation when land or buildings are acquired.
- Property owners or tenants in an area declared to be a slum area or slum clearance area.
Main powers and controls
The Tamil Nadu Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1971 provides for:
- Declaration of slum areas and slum clearance areas.
- Registration of buildings and restrictions on building, extension, alteration or re-erection in slum areas.
- Orders requiring improvement works, execution of works by the prescribed authority and recovery of expenses.
- Demolition of buildings considered unfit for human habitation.
- Clearance and redevelopment by owners or the prescribed authority.
- Acquisition of land, compensation, apportionment, payment, interest and appeals, including appeals to the High Court.
- Restrictions on eviction proceedings against tenants without permission from the prescribed authority, subject to stated exceptions.
- Entry, inspection, eviction and removal of dangerous or offensive trades from slum areas.
- Penalties, company offences and limits on civil court jurisdiction.
Administration and document status
The Tamil Nadu Slum Areas (Improvement and Clearance) Act, 1971 establishes the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board and sets out its constitution, functions, finances, regulations and relationship with the State Government. It also transfers certain assets and liabilities from the Tamil Nadu State Housing Board and ends that Board's powers under the Act.
The supplied copy comes from PRS Legislative Research, which states that it has not independently verified the contents. Readers should consult the relevant state department, latest government publication or gazette notification for authoritative and current text.
This summary is generated from the source document to help you find what is relevant. The PDF above is authoritative. For advice on your own property, use LandLens One or speak to a qualified professional.
Common questions
Does the Act automatically apply every provision across Tamil Nadu from one date?
No. Although the Act extends throughout Tamil Nadu, the State Government may appoint commencement dates by notification, with different dates for different areas and provisions.
Can a landlord evict a tenant from a building in a slum area without approval?
The Act provides that eviction proceedings against tenants in slum areas cannot be taken without permission from the prescribed authority. It also provides an appeal against refusal of permission and excludes tenants of certain buildings from that chapter.
Can land in a slum area be acquired for improvement or redevelopment?
Yes. The Act provides for acquisition of land for improving or developing slum areas, redeveloping slum clearance areas and rehabilitating slum dwellers, along with compensation and appeal procedures.
Does changing or extending a building count as erecting it under the Act?
Yes. For the purposes of the Act, erection in relation to a building includes extension, alteration and re-erection.
