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Applications for Cancellation of Certificates
Applications by landlords to Local Authority for cancellation
of certificates 3
Objections by tenants to cancellation of certificates —
Decisions by Local Authority to cancel in spite of tenants' objections —
Certificates cancelled by Local Authority 3
The Rent Act 1965 was introduced primarily in order to give security of tenure to the occupiers
of both furnished and unfurnished lettings and to fix fair rents by a system of rent regulation in
respect of currently decontrolled households. At the same time a landlord of furnished accommodation
is given some measure of protection in respect of a proved unsatisfactory tenant. The Act also
introduced two new crimes, eviction by force and harassment of tenants by landlords. These arose
directly from the findings of the Milner Holland Committee which was set up in 1963 in order to
make a detailed survey of rented accommodation within the Greater London Area. The report
indicated that although evidence showed that the great majority of landlords of privately rented
accommodation in London treated their tenants with complete fairness it was nevertheless clear
that a small minority was guilty of malpractice.
Rents are fixed by a Rent Officer who is directly responsible to the Ministry of Housing and
Local Government. In case of a dispute a final decision is given by a Rent Assessment Committee
made up of independent experts. It is clear that the first phase of establishi ng new rents in the
London Area will last for several years.
Housing Statistics
1. Inspection of Dwelling Houses
(i) (a) Total number of dwellings inspected for housing defects
(under Public Health or Housing Acts) 4,773
(b) Number of inspections made for the purpose 10,504
(ii) Number of dwellings found to be unfit for human habitation 46
(iii) Number of dwellings (exclusive of those referred to under
the preceding sub-head) found not to be in all respects
reasonably fit for human habitation 1,133
(iv) Number of dwellings surveyed in existing Housing Areas
and designated Under Part V of the Housing Act 1957 in
connection with the Council's negotiations for acquisition 30
(v) Number of dwellings inspected in connection with proposed
Improvement Area s and Improvement Grants Scheme 437
2. Remedy of defects during the year without service of formal notices:
Number of defective dwellings rendered fit in consequence of informal
action 267
59