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HOUSING REPAIRS AND RENTS' ACT, 1954
This Act, which came into force on August 30th, 1954, amends
and extends the Housing Act of 1936 and 1949. Its operation will
add substantially to the work of sanitary inspectors.
The object is to re-introduce slum clearance; to enable patching
and mending by local authorities for a period of 5 years until demolition
is possible; and to promote the improvement together with a better
standard of repair generally for all privately rented houses.
It was a disappointment to find that the Act did not provide
compulsory powers for the improvement of dwellings at least to a
standard securing the provision of hot water supply together with a
bath wherever practicable.
Preparation of the clearance area programme was nearing completion
at the end of the year. The number of families for whom
accommodation would be allocated living in clearance areas is to
remain at 20 per cent of the total lettings to council accommodation.
The effect of Part II of the Act which deals with rent and repairs
was more immediate in its results.
Administrative action locally gave the fullest information to
tenants and owners of the scope of the Act.
During the four months of the year the Act was in force there
were 23 applications for certificates of disrepair; in 22 instances
certificates were issued; in four instances certificates were later revoked
as the repairs had been carried out.
Housing Improvement Grants— Housing Act 1949 (as amended)
No. of applications in 1954 14
Value of works in aggregate approved £1,380
Improvement Grants value £690
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