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52
SECTION D
HOUSING
(In conjunction with Mr. W.C. Bartlett , Chief Public Health Inspector)
Housing Act, 1961
The survey of houses in multiple occupation continued during the year. It Is quite
apparent that where persons of different nationalities, habits and customs share the
amenities in this type of property social problems arise which require the exercise of
much tact on the part of the Inspector.
351 Informal Notices were served upon the persons in control of individual premises
together with relevant extracts from the Landlord and Tenant Act 1962. In each case a
summary showing the additional facilities and amenities required to satisfy the Council's
Code of Practice was sent at the same time. This informal approach resulted in the
provision of improvements in 48 properties.
In conjunction with this work both the Borough Council and the London County Council
required applicants for advances under the respective House Purchase Schemes to satisfy
the requirements of the Department whenever a house was to be occupied in multiple
occupation. In this connection 181 properties were inspected and works of improvement
carried out.
Eight Management Orders were made during the year and in one case the Owner appealed
against the making of an Order to the Magistrates Court. On appeal the Owner failed to
appear and the Court dismissed the appeal and awarded the Borough Council £4 4.-. costs.
Two Directions under Section 19 were also made during the year.
Housing Act, 1964
With the advent of this Act in August 1964, the powers given to Local Authorities
under Part II, Housing Act 1961, were considerably strengthened and extended. The Local
Authority* s expenses under Part II, Housing Act 1961, are now made a charge on the
premises to which a notice relates and on all estates and interests therein. Formerly
Section 18(4) of the Act of 1961 charged expenses on the estate or interest of the person
on whom the notice was served and this proved to be a grave defect where properties were
leasehold of short duration or where ownership had been difficult to establish. Provision
is made for a penalty on summary conviction to be made for failure to execute works under
Part II, Housing Act 1961, quite apart from the exercise of the local authority of their
powers of carrying out work in default. Another most useful provision allows the service
of notice under Section 15, Housing Act 1961, specifying the works which in the opinion
of the Local Authority are required for rendering premises reasonably suitable for
occupation by a smaller number of individuals or households than the number accommodated
for the time being on the premises. It is anticipated that there are cases where the
application of a Direction under Section 19 at the same time will ensure that overcrowding
will be reduced and in some cases prevented. The entirely new power to make a
Control Order and take over the control and management of a multi-occupied house
summarily where conditions warrant such action is welcomed. It has not yet been necessary
to use this power.