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Relatively large concentrations of multi-occupation are known to exist within
certain defined areas of the Borough, and programmes of house-to-house inspections
within these sectors are undertaken as a routine. Individual houses outside these areas
may also, of course, be in multiple occupation and these are not so readily identifiable.
One channel of identification which has proved of value has been through local land
charge searches, when prospective purchases of properties are informed by the Town Clerk
that standards relating to houses in multiple occupation have been adopted by the Council
and that if the enquirer is aware that the house is so occupied, or is likely to be used in
this way he should contact the Health Department with a view to an inspection being
carried out and the premises brought up to the Council's standards, if appropriate.
During the year and in the course of systematic house to house inspections relating
to multiple occupation, 323 properties were inspected and 63 were equipped and
repaired so as to make them suitable for the number of individuals or families in occupation.
When inspections of this nature are carried out, it is almost invariably found that
suitable means of escape in case of fire have been overlooked or neglected, although
older standards may be adequate and well maintained. Fire hazard in older multi-occupied
premises is obviously a factor of great importance. The Code of Practice of the Greater
London Council for means of escape in case of fire in houses in multiple occupation has
been adopted by the Council and is applied as necessary. During the year 86 houses were
modified in such a way as to meet the requirements of the Code and thus provide a degree
of safety for the occupants which was not previously available.
Rent Acts and Housing Act, 1969
Once again little advantage was taken by tenants during the year of the opportunity
under the provisions of the Rents Acts to apply to the Council for Certificates of
Disrepair. This action is possible when a tenant of a controlled tenancy considers that
his accommodation is not being maintained in a satisfactory state of repair, having regard
to age, character and locality. The procedure is somewhat cumbersome and time consuming
and this probably accounts for the fact that no applications were received during the year.
In the course of the year 238 further applications for Qualification Certificates
were made to the Department by owners or their agents. These applications related to
controlled tenancies which owners desired to have taken out of control with the aid of a
Qualification Certificate, thus enabling a fair rent to be fixed for the tenancy.
In every instance the tenant was given the opportunity to make written representations
to the Council regarding the condition of his premises and inspections were carried
out whether or not such representations were received.
Based on the condition of the property, the decision was reached as to whether a
Qualification Certificate should be issued or refused, or whether the applicant should be
afforded the opportunity to carry out the necessary works within a reasonable period of
time, dependent on the nature of the repairs involved. Both landlord and tenant have a
right of appeal to the County Court following the issue of refusal of a Qualification
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