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HOUSES LET IN LODGINGS
Prior to the passing of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act conditions
in houses let in lodgings or occupied by members of more
than one family were controlled by bye laws based on the Ministry
of Health model bye laws. These provided, among other matters,
for the provision of—
Closet accommodation
Water supply
Accommodation for washing clothes
Food storage
Accommodation for the preparation
and cooking of food,
with the important proviso that each must be adequate for the use of
and readily accessible to the family by whom any part of the house is
occupied and, where necessary, separate accommodation for each
family. These bye laws have now been repealed resulting in the loss
of a series of comprehensive powers relating not only to the above
but other matters, for example, dealing with the lighting of common
staircases, provision of handrails, redecoration of the premises and
the respective responsibilities of the owner and tenants.
This type of living accommodation is now subject to the requirements
of Sections 11 and 12 of the Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954,
which introduces a new method of control.
Thus, Section 11 provides that if the local authority, having regard
to the number of people in the house, considers the premises unsuitable
in respect of natural lighting; ventilation; water supply; drainage and
sanitary conveniences; facilities for the storage, preparation, and
cooking of food and for the disposal of waste water they may serve
a notice—
(a) specifying the works necessary to render the premises suitable
for such occupation as exists; and
(b) require the person in control, in default of the execution of
the aforesaid works, to take such steps as are open to him
(including, if necessary, the taking of legal proceedings)
for securing that the number of persons or households, or
both, are limited in such a manner as will meet with the
approval of the local authority.
This latter provision is altogether new as compared with action
under the bye laws. Thus, in addition to a notice specifying the works
which are needed, the person in control of the house is required, in
default of the execution of the works, to take alternative steps to
secure that the house is no longer used by members of more than one
family or of such number of families as may be specified. In short,
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