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(d) Various methods adopted by recalcitrant landlords to
avoid or delay executing the necessary works.
(e) Changes of ownership.
(f) Changes of occupier and the method of letting a house.
(g) Slow progress by builders in executing work. This has
been brought about mainly by the insufficiency of builders
willing and able to undertake this type of work.
(h) Delay by landlords proceeding with works at a very
slow pace and by this action preventing the Council
from executing the work in default.
(i) Poor standard of work found in many cases which
necessitates a larger number of re-inspections and
causes delay in the resultant alterations necessary
to amend the work.
(j) Genuine cases of hardship, particularly in the case of
some old owner/occupiers or old principal tenants who
have sub-let and become liable to carry out certain
works as they are responsible for the multiple occupation.
Representations have been made to the Minister of Housing and
Local Government by this Council and other local authorities, and, as a
result, it is hoped that effective new measures will be introduced when
the Housing Bill at present before Parliament becomes law. It is
anticipated that it will introduce heavy penalties for failure to
execute works required under the Housing Act, 1961. This will be in
addition to the Council's power to execute the works in default, and
will undoubtedly assist in expediting the completion of works.
Powers of access will also be introduced where entry may be
by force if necessary. At the present time obstruction is only
punishable by a fine.
Under the existing powers the Council may require the installation
of sanitary facilities and amenities under section 15 of
the Housing Act, 1961, and they may also make a direction under
section 19 of the Act controlling the occupancy of houses in multiple
occupation. The latter section has not proved as valuable as at
first thought. It cannot be used concurrently with section 15 so
that the Council can reduce the number of persons occupying a house
to a reasonable number and, at the same time, require such additional
facilities as are necessary to meet the needs of the new fixed number.
In the new Act it is anticipated that it will be possible to operate
sections 15 and 19 simultaneously.
Although this Council have resolved that where works required
under the Act of 1961 are not carried out they will execute them in
default, some doubts have been expressed by other authorities concerning
the recovery of the costs. The present Act provides that the
costs may be recovered from the person on whom the notice was served.
In earlier housing legislation costs have been recoverable as a charge
against the premises. Now the new Bill provides that the cost of
works will also be recoverable in this way.
At the end of the year satisfactory progress was being made
in the inspection of premises and, with the full complement of public
health inspectors anticipated early in 1964, great headway will be
made during the next year in tackling this important problem.