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What action is to be taken concerning unfit houses is governed by the cost of the
necessary works. Unless the house is capable at reasonable expense of being rendered
fit " action must be in the direction of closing or demolition. "Reasonable
expense" has never been defined and with restrictions on rents and the high cost of
repairs, its interpretation is far from easy, but the Housing Repairs and Rents Act,
1954 has now defined the matters to be taken into consideration in assessing fitness
for human habitation.
The action taken in insanitary and unfit dwelling houses during the year is
summarised in the following return which has been submitted to the Ministry of Housing
and Local Government:-
1. INSPECTION OP DWELLING-HOUSES DURING THE YEAR:
(1) (a) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for
housing defects (Under Public Health and
Housing Acts): 327
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose: 406
(2) (a) Number of dwelling-houses (included under
head (1) above) which were inspected and
recorded under Housing Regulations, 1925 and
1932: 123
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose: 200
(3) (a) Number of dwelling-houses found to be in a state
so dangerous or injurious to health as to be
unfit for human habitation: 51
(4) Number of dwelling-houses (exclusive of those referred
to under the preceding sub-head) found not to be in all
respects reasonably fit for human habitation: 177
2. REMEDY OP DEFECTS DURING THE YEAR WITHOUT SERVICE OF FORMAL
NOTICES:
Number of defective dwelling-houses rendered fit in
consequence of informal action by the Local Authority or
their Officers 256
3. ACTION UNDER STATUTORY POWERS DURING THE YEAR:
(a) Proceedings under sections 9, 10 and 16 of the Housing
Act, 1936.
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which notices
were served requiring repairs: 12
(2) Number of dwelling houses which were rendered fit
after service of formal notices:
(a) by Owners. 10
(b) by Local Authority in default of owners: 11
(b) Proceedings under Public Health Acts:
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which notices
were served requiring defects to be remedied: 4
(2) Number of dwelling houses in which defects were
remedied after service of formal notices:
(a) by Owners: 2
(b) by Local Authority in default of owners NIL
(c) Proceedings under sections 11 and 13 of the Housing Act,
1936:
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which
Demolition Orders were made: 11
(2) Number of dwelling-houses demolished in pursuance of
Demolition Orders: NIL
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