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30
Closing Orders.
Under Section 17 of the Housing Act, 1957, four Closing Orders in
respect of dwelling houses were made during the year; 19 underground
rooms and 4 rooms in other parts of dwellings were closed under
Section 18 of the Act.
Legal proceedings were taken against a tenant for unlawfully using
underground rooms in contravention of Closing Orders contrary to
Section 27 (1) of the Act, and against the landlord for permitting such
use. Both defendants pleaded "Guilty", and each were fined £5 and
ordered to pay £1 costs.
Demolition Orders.
One Demolition Order, in respect of a caravan, was made during
the year.
Overcrowding.
Nine cases of overcrowding creating offences against the provisions
of Section 78 of the Housing Act, 1957, were investigated
and appropriate action taken to secure the abatement of the overcrowding.
Houses in Multiple Occupation.
An area comprising approximately 130 houses is at present being
inspected, and providing undertakings are received from the owners
of properties to carry out all the necessary work, including the provision
of additional facilities and the means of escape in case of fire,
formal notices are not served. In the event of work in connection with
these undertakings not being carried out within a reasonable time,
authority is obtained from the Housing Committee to serve formal
notices. No displacement of persons from premises, because of the use
of rooms in the premises to provide additional facilities for the families
in occupation, has yet occurred. The standards required are based on
those suggested by the Metropolitan Boroughs' Standing Joint Committee
and cover:—
natural and artificial lighting ;
ventilation;
water supply;
personal washing facilities;
drainage and sanitary conveniences;
facilities for the storage and preparation and cooking of food, and
the disposal of waste water;
installations for space heating, or for the use of space heating
appliances.
One notice, under Section 12 (2) of the Housing Act, 1961, of the
Council's intention to make a Management Order was served, and the
Order was duly made.