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64
The subject matter of the Sub-section is one of considerable
importance, and the Council will no doubt take an early opportuntty
of framing and fonwarding to the Board for their approval a suitable
code of regulations.
Order for Demolition.
Section 18, which supersedes Section 33 of the principal Act,
deals with the demolition of dwelling-houses which have been closed
by closing orders. Under Sub-section (1) proceedings with a view
to an order for the demolition of a dwelling-house cannot be; initiated
until a closing order has) been operative for three months; and when
that period has elapsed the local authority must, before making a
demolition order, give the owner an opportunity of being heard on
the matter, at a meeting of which he has had at least one month's
notice. Sub-section (2) indicates the circumstances in which a
demolition order must be made, and it will be observed that this
must now be done if the local authority are of opinion that the
dwelling-house has not been rendered fit for human habitation, and
that the necessary steps are not being taken with all due diligence
to render it so fit, or that the continuance of any building which is,
or is part of, the house is a nuisance or is dangerous or injurious
to the health, of the public or of the inhabitants of the neighbouring
dwelling-houses. Where, however, the case is one in which the local
authority consider that the dwelling-house can be made fit for human
habitation., they can. under Sub-section (3) give the owner an
opportunity to render it so fit, if he undertakes to execute the
necessary work, by postponing the operation of the order for a.
period not exceeding six months.
A house let for the sole purpose of letting lodgings to persons
of the working classes at not more than 6d. per night for each person
is exempted from Inhabited House Duty, if certified by the Medical
Officer of Health as possessing suitable and sanitary accommodation.
The erection of back-to-back houses is prohibited for the future, save