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*Note—As from October 1, 1951 an amended points scheme was put
into operation and a bedroom deficiency standard adopted
from that date in substitution for the former overcrowding
standard.
Housing Act, 1936
Repair of houses (sections 9 and 10)
Under section 9 of the Housing Act, 1936, a local authority if
satisfied upon consideration of an official representation, or a report from
any of their officers, or other information, that any house is in any
respect unfit for human habitation shall, unless satisfied that it is not
capable at a reasonable expense of being rendered so fit, serve upon the
person having control of the house a notice requiring him within a
reasonable time to execute the works specified in the notice and stating
that in the opinion of the authority those works will render the house
fit for habitation. In determining whether a house can be rendered fit
for human habitation at a reasonable expense, regard is had to the
estimated cost of the works necessary to render it so fit and the value
which it is estimated the house will have when the works are completed.
Section 10 of the Act allows the local authority to do the work
required by the notice themselves if the notice has not been complied
with. The expenses incurred by the local authority in executing such
works are recoverable from the person having control of the house.
During the year 45 informal and 12 formal notices were served.
38 properties were repaired by the owners after service of notices and 7
properties were repaired by the Council under section 10 in default of
the owners.