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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 Act, 1957 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 OF DWELLING-HOUSES DURING THE YEAR
(1) (a) Total number of dwelling-houses inspected for
housing defects (Under Public Health and
Housing Acts): 241
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose: 278
(2) (a) Number of dwelling-houses (included under
head (1) above) which were inspected and recorded
under Housing Regulations, 1925 and 1932: 48
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose: 85
(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: 32
(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 145
2. REMEDY OF 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 75
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: 11
(2) Number of dwelling-houses which were rendered fit
after service of formal notices:
(a) by Owners: 3
(b) by Local Authority in default of owners: 12
(b) Proceedings under Public Health Acts:
(1) Number of dwelling-houses in respect of which
notices were served requiring defects to be remedied 9
(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
(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: 15
(2) Number of dwelling-houses demolished in pursuance of
Demolition Orders: 9
(3) Number of dwelling-houses rendered fit in consequence
of Undertakings given by Owner: 3
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