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(c) To extend, so as to include all persons, the obligation of the local
authority to provide rehousing accommodation, in so far as suitable
accommodation is not available, where displacements are effected in connection
with clearance and improvement areas under Part III of
the Housing Act, 1936.
(d) To extend, so as to include all persons, the rehousing obligations
imposed by section 137 of and the Eleventh Schedule to the Housing
Act, 1936, on statutory undertakers who have been given power to
acquire houses occupied by thirty or more people.
Section 3 is of great interest to Hampstead and provides for the
substitution of a closing order for a demolition order in the case of houses
of special architectural or historic interest where such a house is unfit for
human habitation, and is incapable of being made fit at reasonable
expense. A provisional list of such premises in the Borough was compiled
by the Minister of Town and Country Planning in 1950 and has
since been amended.
Section 4 enables local authorities to make advances for the purpose
of increasing housing accommodation. Loans may be made for: —
(a) acquiring houses;
(b) constructing houses;
(c) converting houses;
(d) altering, enlarging, repairing or improving houses.
Before advancing money for the purpose specified in (a) above, the
local authority must satisfy themselves that the premises to be acquired
are, or will be made, in all respects fit for human habitation.
Much time has been devoted to this important work and very full
consideration has been given to the Standard of Fitness which should be
adopted in dealing with applications for loans. We have decided in
consultation with the Town Clerk that the appropriate standard should
be similar to that which is applied in serving notices under section 9,
Housing Act, 1936, modified to exclude items of general wear and tear,
unless the defects are of a really serious nature. The standard is not
inflexible and is capable of modification in special circumstances.
The following factors are also taken into consideration: —
(a) Underground Rooms. In the case of basements let separately,
the question of making the rooms comply with the Regulations except in
those cases where the basement rooms are used only as kitchens, sculleries
or storage rooms.
(b) Drainage. Each case is considered on its merits but a drainage
test is carried out where it is thought such a test is warranted. Whether
this be a stringent water test, or a chemical or smoke test, depends upon
the conditions found at the individual house.
(c) Tenement Houses or Houses let in Lodgings. The By-laws are
applied wherever necessary where the house is occupied by more than
one family.
Reports were made on nine applications for loans under this section
and I was able to certify in each case that the house was or could be