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49
All applications whether for certificates or reports must be
accompanied by the statutory fee of one shilling.
During the current year no applications for a certificate were
received and no reports were sought.
Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954.—Part II of this Act
makes provision inter alia for a ' repairs increase ' in respect of
controlled dwelling houses of a sufficiently good standard and makes
certain amendments to the Rents Acts, 1920/39.
In order that the landlord shall be aware of the extent to which
his property falls short of the necessary standards and therefore to
be able to determine the work required to be effected in order to
obtain the revocation of a certificate of disrepair it is now necessary
for the Council to issue a Certificate of Disrepair in the form specifically
prescribed by the Minister of Housing and Local Government
stating the defects in respect of which it is issued.
Further, the standards laid down in the new Act must be
adopted in respect of an application for a Certificate of Disrepair
made under the previous Rents Acts, i.e., where a tenant is not
subjcct to a ' repairs increase ' under the 1954 Act.
Three applications for Certificates of Disrepair were received
and in each case a Certificate was issued.
Five applications were received for Revocation of Certificates
of Disrepair all of which were granted.
Very little use is being made of Section 26 of the Act presumably
because landlords are finding that increased rents obtainable do
not cover the cost of repairs involved.
The Heating Appliances (Fireguards) Act, 1952.—In
pursuance of the powers conferred upon him by section five of the
above Act, the Secretary of State made Regulations to come into
operation on the 1st October, 1953. These Regulations require
fireguards to be fitted to gas fires, electric fires and oil heaters which
are so designed that they are suitable for use in residential premises
and are of such a type that, without a guard, there is a likelihood of
injury by burning. The standards of construction and fitting for
guards and the tests to be employed in ascertaining whether guards
comply with those standards, are set out in the Schedule. Regulation
4 gives an exemption from the Regulations in the cases of sales
for scrap.
Powers and duties of the Council under this Act have been
delegated to the Public Health Committee and inspections are
carried out by the Public Health Inspectors.