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Powers are given to local authorities for the following
purposes:—
(a) To retain for temporary accommodation certain houses
in clearance areas.
(b) To purchase houses for temporary accommodation in
lieu of making demolition orders.
(c) To postpone demolition under clearance order in the
case of houses let to local authority.
(d) To permit reconstruction of condemned houses.
(e) To licence for temporary occupation houses subject to
existing demolition or clearance orders.
Provision is made for Exchequer contributions towards
expenses of local authorities in buying houses for temporary
occupation.
A new standard of fitness of houses for human habitation is
set out.
Provisions are made regarding houses let-in-lodgings for
securing fitness for occupation by number of families accommodated
and for the prevention of overcrowding.
Part II deals with Repairs Increase in Respect of Controlled
Dwelling-houses and Other Amendments of the Rent Acts, etc.
Before the increase of rent permitted by the Act is operative
in the case of a Controlled Dwelling House, certain conditions
must be fulfilled.
In addition to the landlord producing to the tenant satisfactory
evidence that work of the required specified value has
been carried out, the dwelling-house must be in good repair and
be reasonably suitable for occupation having regard to certain
specified matters.
The expression "good repair" is defined in the Act for this
purpose.
A tenant served with a notice of increase, if not satisfied
that the house is in good repair and reasonably suitable for
occupation can apply to the local authority for a certificate of
disrepair.
The landlord can apply for the revocation of the certificate
and the local authority must revoke the certificate if satisfied
that the landlord has executed such work as requires to be
executed.