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Defective Dwellings.—Repairs.—With regard to houses
found not to be in a reasonable state of repair, the following procedure,
classified under two headings, is generally adopted :—
(1) Complaints from or on behalf of the occupier.—The District
Public Health Inspector makes inspection and an intimation is sent
to the owner specifying the defect and nature of nuisance found.
Where necessary, the circumstances are reported to the Public Health
Committee for authority to serve a Statutory Notice to enforce
abatement of the nuisance. The premises are re-inspected by the
Public Health Inspector, and, if work required is not executed within
a reasonable period, Statutory Notice is served. In cases of noncompliance
the Town Clerk is instructed to institute proceedings.
(2) Housing Defects.—These are cases where the conditions are
such that they cannot be remedied under the procedure of the
Public Health (London) Act, 1936, and are dealt with under the
Housing Act, 1957, as being houses unfit for human habitation.
Representations are made to the Public Health Committee to consider
as to whether such houses can be repaired at a reasonable
cost having regard to the value of the premises, or whether Closing
and Demolition Orders should be made.
Housing Repairs and Rent Acts, 1954.—Until the introduction
of the Rent Act, 1957, on 6th July of the current year no applications
for Certificates of Disrepair were received but one application
for the revocation of such a certificate was received and granted.
Houses Let in Lodgings.—Recent legislation in connection
with houses in multiple occupation contained in the Housing Repairs
and Rents Act, 1954, (Sections 11 and 12) has now been superseded
by Sections 36 and 90 of the Housing Act, 1957.
The general powers given to the Council under the previous
legislation viz,
Natural Lighting
Ventilation
Water Supply
Drainage and Sanitary Conveniences
Facilities for storage, preparation and cooking of food
and for the disposal of waste water
Prevention of overcrowding of sleeping rooms
have been retained and with regard to these items, briefly, Section
36 of the 1957 Act enables the Council to enforce standards whilst