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42
Part II of the Act, which deals with the increase of rents of controlled
dwellings under certain conditions, was responsible for a considerable
amount of work to the Department. The following table shows
the position as from the date of operation of the Act to the end of the
year:—
Applications for Certificates of Disrepair received 154
Applications for Certificates of Disrepair withdrawn 11
Certificates of Disrepair issued 120
Certificates of Disrepair refused 2
Applications for revocation of Certificates received 12
Revocations of Certificates issued 11
Revocations of Certificates refused Nil
One certificate under the Increase of Rent and Mortgage Interest
(Restrictions) Act, 1920, was issued during the year.
Closing Orders.
Seven Closing Orders under Section 12 of the Housing Act, 1936,
were made during the year, in respect of basement rooms, and six
Closing Orders in respect of dwelling houses under Section 11 of the
Act as amended by Section 10 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous
Provisions) Act, 1953.
Demolition Orders.
It was not found necessary to make any Demolition Orders under
Section 11 of the Housing Act, 1936.
Houses Let in Lodgings.
Sections 11 and 12 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954,
repeal the power which Local Authorities had of making by-laws to
cover houses let in lodgings, and in its place power is given to
serve a notice on the person having control of the house requiring
certain work to be done and to limit the number of persons occupying
the house.
New problems have arisen in this connection by the fact that latterly
there has been an influx from abroad of people seeking work and
consequently accommodation.
Cases have been referred to the Housing Committee, and Section 11
notices were served upon the owner of two premises.
Prior to the Act coming into operation, 26 houses let in lodgings
were inspected and action taken where necessary.
Overcrowding.
Eighteen cases of overcrowding were discovered during the year.
Twenty-two overcrowded families were rehoused during the year,
14 by this Council and 8 by the London County Council.
Housing Accommodation Applications.
All applications made to the Council are normally dealt with by
the Housing Manager, who refers to me those cases in which the
application is based wholly or partly on medical grounds. These cases