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87
HOUSES IN MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
Directions to prevent or reduce Overcrowding
Early in 1970, the Council decided to augment their overcrowding
policy by issuing Directions under section 19 of the Housing Act, 1961,
as amended by the Housing Act, 1969. This procedure enables the Council
to set a maximum limit on the number of households or individuals, or
both, who may occupy a house in multiple occupation, having regard to
the amenities and facilities provided. The purpose of fixing such a
limit is to prevent the occurrence of, or to remedy, overcrowding.
Where a Direction is given by the Council, it is an offence for any
fixture letting to exceed the numbers stipulated by the Direction.
Staff were duly appointed and work was commenced in June 1970.
The area initially chosen covered those parts of the Golborne and
Pembridge Wards not likely to be affected by redevelopment schemes.
By the end of the year, 382 houses had been inspected, Notices
of Intention to give Directions had been served in respect of 229
houses, and 151 Directions had been given.
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 Acts. It was not found necessary
to take any action regarding certificates of disrepair during 1970.
Overcrowding
All cases of overcrowding are dealt with on the strict interpretation
of the standard laid down in the Housing Act, 1957.
distinguishing between "penal" and "non-penal".
The number of new cases of overcrowding reported to the Housing
Committee during 1970 was 81 (26 penal and 55 non-penal), giving an
equivalent number of persons of 317½ The total number of recorded
cases where overcrowding was abated during the year was 210, comprising
a total of 8l6½ units.
Since October, 1945, 2,889 cases have been reported, and the
number of cases remaining on the register at the end of this year was
81 (10 penal and 71 non-penal).
NOTE: Units mean the number of equivalent persons in
the families, obtained by regarding children
between one and ten years of age as "half
persons" and disregarding infants under the
age of twelve months.