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A summary of the work of the inspectorate in connection with multi-occupied houses is given in
Table 12, page 69.
(b) Means of escape in case of fire
The Director of Architecture and Planning served 14 (54) notices under Section 16 of the Housing
Act 1961 and 14 (26) were complied with during the year. In respect of a further 53 (97) premises
proper and adequate means of escape were provided as a result of informal action taken by the
Director.
(c) Control Orders
The remaining control order in operation terminated in January 1970 on expiry of the statutory
period. No further orders were made.
Grants, Subsidies and Loans
The following summary indicates the number of applications referred to the Health Department
for inspection and comment during the year:—
No. of Dwellings
Discretionary Grants
(a) Works of improvement 246 (92)
(b) Conversions 369 (197)
Standard Grants 43 (24)
Subsidies to Housing Associations for the improvement and conversion of
properties 208 (178)
Loans for the acquisition and/or improvement of premises in Westminster 16 (40)
A summary of visits made is given in Table 11, page 68.
Qualification Certificates
At the end of the year 695 (183) applications for qualification certificates had been received.
Details appear in Table 14, page 69.
A qualification certificate certifies that a dwelling satisfies the qualifying conditions laid down in
the Housing Act 1969. The "qualifying conditions" are that the dwelling is provided with all the
standard amenities (bath, wash-hand basin, sink, hot water supply to these, and water closet) for
the exclusive use of the occupants, is in good repair and is fit for human habitation.
If a dwelling is improved to reach these standards (or if it already satisfies such conditions) the
controlled tenancy can be converted to a regulated tenancy.
Unlawful Eviction, Harassment and Provision of Rent Books
During the year, the Health Department's Enquiry Officer received 311 complaints from landlords
and tenants, and other various sources including Rent Tribunal, Citizens' Advice Bureaux, etc. Full
investigation of each of these complaints confirmed that the majority of them related to matters
having no connection with Rent Act legislation.
Whilst there has been an upward trend in the number of complaints received, experience has
shown that there is no general deterioration in landlord/tenant relationship. In most of the cases it
was found that discussion with an unbiased third party was all that was required to resolve problems
of a minor character.
In 109 cases (35%) of the complaints received, the facts were recorded and forwarded to the City
Solicitor for his consideration as to whether or not further action was possible or necessary. In all
these cases there had been a technical breach of legal requirements as between landlord and tenant,
but in 103 instances the investigations revealed no evidence suggesting intent to harass, and the
complaints were resolved by discussion and reasoning, and where applicable the provision of
satisfactory rent books. In the remaining 6 cases, the evidence was considered to justify legal
proceedings and in 2 cases convictions were obtained.