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(45)
Where, in the opinion of the Council, premises are found to be so
defective in the above-mentioned matters as not to be reasonably suitable
for the number of persons or households in occupation, they may serve a
notice on the person in control specifying the works required. The Act,
however, goes on to give a person in receipt of such a notice an alternative
of taking steps reasonably open to him (including, if necessary, the taking
of legal proceedings) for securing a reduction of the number of persons
accommodated or the number of households, or both, as specified in the
notice. A similar alternative is given if the Council serves a notice
regarding this type of house requesting abatement of overcrowding. It is
too soon to comment on these changes in legislation, but first impressions
are that the indiscriminate implementation of these provisions would cause
grave rehousing difficulties and hardship.
Certificates of Disrepair.
Where a tenant is in receipt of a valid notice of rent increase from
his landlord, he may apply to the local authority for a certificate that
either or both of the conditions justifying an increase of rent are not
fulfilled. These conditions are:-
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(1) that the dwelling house is in good repair; and
(2) that it is reasonably suitable for occupation, in the matter of
stability, freedom from damp, natural lighting, ventilation, water
supply, drainage and sanitary conveniences, and facilities for storage
preparation and cooking of food, and for the disposal of waste water.
When satisfied that either or both of the conditions are not fulfilled,
the local authority must certify accordingly. Similarly when a landlord
has executed works which fulfil both the conditions, the local authority
must, on application from the landlord, revoke the certificate.
The following table sets out the action taken between the date of the
coming into operation of the Act and the end of the year under review:-
Applications for Certificates of Disrepair 159
Certificates of Disrepair issued 137
Applications refused 22
Applications for Reyocation Certificates 11
Revocation Certificates issued 11
Improvement Grants.
The proposals in the Act regarding improvement grants which extend
and amend those in previous legislation, come within the province of the
Borough Architect and Director of Housing. However the co-ordination and
co-operation whereby he obtains comments on the public health aspects of any
applications continues. The necessity for this close liaison is obvious,