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930
14
There is no obligation on the part of a local authority to
provide other accommodation to tenants disposed by a demolition
order of individual houses, but should no alternative accommodation
be provided, the local authority may make allowances
to persons displaced as the re.sult of a demolition order.
The method provided by the Act distinguishes between
houses which can, and those which cannot be rendered fit at a
reasonable expense. Where the local authority consider a house
is unfit for human habitation and is not capable of being rendered
fit at reasonable cost, they may serve upon the owner an order
requiring the house to be demolished unless the authority accept
an undertaking from the owner that the house shall cease to be
used for human habitation or that he will within a specified time
carry out such works as will in the authority's opinion render
it fit.
If on the other hand, the authority think that the house i.s
repairable, they can serve a notice on the owner requiring him
to execute certain specified repairs, but the authority must consider
the estimated cost of the works necessary, and the value
which the house may be expected to have when the works are
completed. An appeal against a decision of the local authority
will be decided by the County Court, and not, as in the past, by
the Minister of Health. When the local authority ha.s decided,
but the County Court has decided against them, the local authority
are empowered to acquire the house by agreement or compulsorily.
In the latter case the local authority will be under an obligation
to carry out the works, which they have themselves considered
to be not unduly costly.
To assist owners with limited means, Section 47 empowered
a local authority to advance to them the cost of the repairs to
houses, in cases where, having regard to such cost or the financial
position of the owners, it is deemed reasonable to advance such
assistance.
There are in the Steyne only 4 houses which, in my opinion,
cannot be made fit for human occupation.
There are scattered throughout the district a few other houses
which cannot reasonably be made fit for human occupation.
There are four houses situated on Acton Hill, which are very
old and show the inherent defects of old age. On one of these
houses there is a stone which states that the house was built in
1588 and restored in 1875.
There are a group of five cottages in East Acton, which are
built in one block and built back-to-back ; two facing south, two
facing west, and one facing east. It can be seen that the houses
cannot have through ventilation. The houses are old and
dilapidated, partly built of wood and brick exterior and the roofs
are of old pan tiles.