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of additional services and facilities and the prevention of overcrowding
contained in the 1961 Act.
Housing Act 1961—Houses in Multiple Occupation.—In
connection with these types of properties, 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
were retained under Sections 36 and 90 of the 1957 Act. However,
powers enabling the Council to enforce standards under Section
36 proved to be inadequate and were repealed by Part II of the
Housing Act, 1961. Regulations made by the Minister during the
year under Section 13 of the new Act providing a management
code for Councils to apply to "Houses in Multiple Occupation"
are outlined above. Further, for the purpose of implementing the
provisions of Section 15 of the Housing Act, 1961, the Council, on
the 14th November of the current year, adopted the standards of
provision of amenities, as suggested in the joint report of the
Advisory Bodies of Town Clerks and Medical Officers of Health
of metropolitan borough councils. The schedule is as follows :—
(a) Natural and artificial lighting.—Natural, (i) The provision
and maintenance in every habitable room, of a window or windows
(capable of being opened at the top), opening directly to the external
air and having, where practicable, a glass area equal to at least
one-tenth of the floor area. It should be borne in mind that one
tenth of the floor area may not be attainable and in given circumstances might not be enough, (ii) The provision and maintenance,
wherever practicable, of adequate means of natural light to a
common staircase. When not practicable, adequate artificial lighting shall be provided.
Artificial. There shall be provided and maintained suitable
means for securing adequate artificial lighting either by electricity
or gas in each habitable room, bathroom and water-closet. (Staircase lighting is already dealt with under Byelaws.)
(b) Ventilation.—The provision and maintenance of adequate
means of ventilation, including permanent ventillation, for every
passage, room, water-closet, apartment and staircase.