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the nick of time, the closure of the Royal Dockyard and a contraction
of the Royal Arsenal has produced valuable areas for
balanced housing schemes to be entertained with a modicum of
disturbance to residents and communities.
New Legislation
Housing Act, 1969
The above Act, which received the Royal Assent on the 25th
July, came generally into effect on the 25th August. The Act is
drafted to provide increased compensation for owner-occupiers of
unfit premises affected by slum clearance; it raises the improvement
grant limits and makes possible the improvement of whole areas
instead of just single dwellings and provides, for the first time,
financial help towards environmental improvement. It also introduces
a new system governing the rent of privately rented dwellings
which have been brought up to a satisfactory standard. Legislation
on Houses in Multiple Occupation is consolidated, provisions
regarding compensation for "well-maintained" premises are extended
and the Act places a duty on local authorities to inspect
their district from time to time with a view to action under the
Housing Acts. In future, determination of fitness for human habitation
will include "internal arrangements" and, when repairs are
effected, power is given to local authorities to bring a dwelling
already fit up to a reasonable standard having due regard to its
age, character and locality.
Housing Act, 1957
Part II—The following procedures were carried out during
1969 :—
(i) Premises Unfit for Human Habitation—Sections 16 and
17.—The undermentioned premises were considered unfit for
human habitation and not capable at reasonable expense of being
rendered fit. In two instances Undertakings were accepted to
render premises so fit within a specified period and Closing or
Demolition Orders were made in respect of the remainder as
follows :—
(a) Undertakings
2 Reventlow Road, S.E.9
91 Greenwich South Street, S.E.10