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37
the preceding two years, means that a substantial part of the current joint programme
has been accomplished.
The remaining action as regards areas to be dealt with before 1960 is, at the time
of writing, well under way- The clearing of these areas and those included in the
previous five year programme has made a great improvement in the housing conditions of
the borough How substantial any future clearance area programme will be will depend
largely on the attention given by owners of old properties to the steps necessary to
prevent deterioration.
HOUSING REPAIRS AND RENTS ACT, 1954
Until the Rent Act, 1957, came into force, the trend of last year continued and
even fewer tenants found it necessary to exercise their rights to apply for Certificates
of Disrepair Once again a standard of "good repair" was maintained at a relatively
high level, but no appeals followed the action of the Council in cases dealt with.
Applications for Certificates of Disrepair 14
Certificates of Disrepair issued 11
Applications refused 4
Applications for Revocation Certificates 16
Revocation Certificates issued 14
Applications refused 6
No action was taken under Section 11 to secure fitness for occupation by the
number of families accommodated, but notices were served under Section 12 on the owners
and occupiers of two premises let in furnished rooms. Joint action resulted in the
rearrangement of the accommodation occupied by the various families bringing about
total abatement of overcrowding.
The Council only use these two sections in exceptional cases, as they give owners
the legal alternative of reducing the number of occupiers instead of carrying out
specified works or otherwise abating overcrowding.
RENT ACT 1957
There were revolutionary changes in the law regarding certificates of disrepair
when the above Act came into force on July 6th, 1957- The procedure was made
noticeably more complicated, and it is not surprising that many landlords and tenants
found themselves in need of advice The same machinery for the day-to-day administration
as had proved so satisfactory in the past continued in action. Broadly, the
examination of documents and the giving of advice was made the responsibility of the
Town Clerk s department, whilst the Public Health department undertook inspections,
preparation of forms and correspondence At a meeting convened hy the Council at the
request of local estate agents useful discussion took place which succeeded in clari
fying many points of interpretation of various legal and technical difficulties likely
to arise.
In all previous similar legislation certificates of disrepair were based on the
report of the public health inspector following an inspection of the premises. Under
the new procedure the local authority cannot issue a certificate in respect of any
defects which the tenant has not himself included in the notice (Form G) he has served
on his landlord. They must treat the landlord as not being responsible for internal
decorative repair unless the tenant's application for the certificate states he is
responsible Before issuing a certificate of disrepair they must be satisfied that
all or any of the defects set out ought reasonably to be remedied, having regard to the
age, character and locality of the dwelling. Pears expressed at the time these
changes were first proposed have in some degree proved justified. Sometimes items are
included which have to be deleted and, perhaps more important, matters which should
receive attention are not included in Form G- The opportunity is taken in appropriate