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ARTIFICIAL LIGHTING OF COMMON STAIRCASES IN TENEMENT HOUSES AND FLATS
Council Byelaws relating to artificial lighting of common
staircases in tenement houses and flats came into operation on 11th
March, 1958. The principal Byelaw reads as follows:-
"The occupier of every tenement house to which
these Byelaws apply and the owner of every block of
flats shall provide adequate artificial lighting
for all common staircases:-
(a) from half an hour before sunset until
12 o'clock midnight;
(b) for one hour before sunrise during the
months of October, November, December,
January, February and March; and
(c) at other times as and when necessary if
adequate means of natural lighting are
not provided."
During 1963 formal notices were served in 2 cases, requiring
compliance with these Byelaws.
CERTIFICATES OF DISREPAIR IN RELATION TO DWELLING HOUSES
The Council's duty to issue certificates of disrepair in
respect of "rent controlled" dwelling houses, not reasonably suitable
for occupation, is governed by the Rent Act, 1957.
The following is a summary of the action taken during 1963:-
Part I - Applications for Certificates of Disrepair
Number of applications for certificates 2
Number of decisions not to issue certificates Nil
Number of decisions to issue certificates -
(a) in respect of some but not all defects 1
(b) in respect of all defects 1
Number of undertakings given by landlords 2
Number of undertakings refused by Council Nil
Number of certificates issued Nil
Part II - Applications for cancellation of Certificates
Applications by landlords to Council for cancellation
of certificates 8
Objections by tenants to cancellation of certificates 1
Decision by Council to cancel in spite of tenant's
objection 1
Certificates cancelled 8
OVERCROWDING
All cases of overcrowding are dealt with on the strict
interpretation of the standards laid down in the Housing Act, 1957:
distinguishing between "penal" and "non-penal" cases.
The number of new cases of overcrowding reported to the
Committee during 196 3 was 174, giving an equivalent number of persons
of 646½. The total number of overcrowding cases which were recorded
during the year as having been abated was 150, comprising a total of
575 units.