View report page

Housing Act, 1969 - Qualification Certificates
It is in this particular field that a great deal of housing work has again been
carried out during the year. The Housing Act 1969 not only made important
changes in the law concerning improvement and repair of houses, but also in the
rents chargeable for privately-owned dwellings. Provided that a rent-controlled
dwelling satisfies the qualifying conditions, a landlord is empowered to apply
to the Rent Officer for an increase in rent. To reach the required standard the
dwelling must satisfy all of the following:-
1. It must have all the standard amenities for the exclusive
use of its occupants.
2. It must be in good repair, having regard to its age, character
and locality (this does not take into account internal
decorative repairs).
3. It must be fit for human habitation.
The standard amenities, which must meet approved standards of design and construction,
are - bath, wash-hand basin, sink, hot and cold water supplies to
these, and w.c. A qualification certificate certifies that a dwellings satisfies
these conditions.
Each dwellings which is the subject of an application has to be inspected and
where items of minor disrepair are noted, an informal letter is sent advising
the applicant of the defects in order that they may be rectified. This work
can involve several visits to the dwellings concerned and additional meetings
with owners and builders. Difficulty has been found in many cases in getting
access, especially where the occupiers are not normally available during
working hours.
During the year 605 applications for qualification certificates were received,
B.3