Every dwelling shall be kept clean and free from any accumulation of dirt, filth, rubbish, garbage or similar matter, and shall be kept free from vermin or rodent infestation. All yards, lawns and courts shall be similarly kept clean and free from rodent infestation. It shall be the duty of each occupant of a dwelling unit to keep in a clean condition that portion of the property which he occupies or over which he has exclusive control. If the occupant shall fail to keep his portion of the property clean, the committee for hygiene of housing may send a written notice to the occupant to abate such nuisance within the time specified in such notice; provided, that when, in the opinion of the committee, such nuisance constitutes an actual menace to health, it shall proceed forthwith to cause such nuisance to be abated. Failure of the occupant to comply with such notice shall be deemed a violation of this article. (Code 1953, § 8.29.)