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HOUSING
Housing Acts
1. Number of houses which on inspection were considered to be unfit for human habitation:-
2
2. Number of houses in which defects were remedied in consequence of informal action by the
Local Authority or their Officers:-
2
3. Number of representations made to the Local Authority with a view to (a) the serving of
notices requiring the execution of works or (b) the making of demolition or closing orders:-
NIL
NIL
4. Number of notices served during the execution of works:-
NIL
5. Number of houses which were rendered fit after service of formal notices:-
1
6. Number of demolition or closing orders made:-
NIL
7. Number of houses in respect of which an undertaking was accepted under subsection (4) of
section 16 of the Housing Act, 1957:-
NIL
8. Number of houses demolished:-
1
9. Number of inspections and reinspections of housing accommodation:-
54
The Corporation has the duty to carry out from time to time inspections of the housing
accommodation in their area to establish a programme regarding unfit houses. The Housing Acts,
1957-1969, make provision for the clearance of unfit houses, either individually or as clearance
areas, and in appropriate casesmakeprovision to secure the improvement to present-day standards,
again either individually or collectively, of housing which although structurally sound, lacks
modern amenities. Grants are available as of right or at the local authority's discretion to enable
owners to carry out such improvements.
During the year under review the Inspectorate have again been active as regards privately
occupied housing accommodation in the City. Most of this accommodation is provided as part of
or in association with employment; for example, Managers' flats, Directors' suites and Caretakers'
accommodation. By and large this accommodation is in good order, as are the small number of
private blocks of flats which exist, mainly in the area abutting the Law Courts and Temple.
However, as in previous years a few dwellings have been found which were considered to be
unfit for human habitation. These were mainly occupied by persons who require some form of
geriatric care. This seems to be a well-established pattern and it may well be that the Corporation
will have to consider whether they have sufficient accommodation of a type suitable for rehousing
such displaced persons.
During the year, 27 inspections were made, necessitating 27 re-inspections. In two instances
defects were remedied informally, and an undertaking as regards works to be carried out was
received in respect of another of these premises. In a fourth case, formal notice was served
requiring the execution of works.
At the end of the year there were four houses which were unfit but it is proposed to take
action in respect of these early in the new year and reports have been submitted to the Housing
Committee in respect of three of them.
8