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84
Show Houses
Prior to the declaration of the General Improvement Area
the Council repaired and improved two houses in the area and opened
them as show houses for four weeks. Co-operation by the Gas Board,
Electricity Board and local Furnishers produced an impressive display,
while the Borough Engineer exhibited outline proposals for environmental
improvements in preparation for the public meetings.
The public interest generated by the exhibition indicated that
the venture was a valuable addition to other means of publicising
grants.
Qualification Certificates - Housing Act 1969
During the year the number of applications for Qualification
Certificates imposed an additional heavy burden on the housing
division.
Applications are of two types, (a) where the dwelling ha6 had,
since the commencement of the Act, all the standard amenities, (b)
where the dwelling is to be provided with some or all of the amenities
after the commencement of the Act.
Cases arising in the first category present little difficulty.
However, in the second case, unless landlords follow the procedures
laid down, they run the risk of being disqualified until the law is
amended.
This has been found to arise where a single amenity is missing
and, in his enthusiasm, an owner has installed the fitting without
obtaining a Certificate of Provisional approval, a Certificate of Fair
Rent or his tenant's consent in writing. Statistics for the operation
of this legislation are as follows:-
(a) Standard Amenities already provided
1. Number of applications for qualification
Certificates received under Section 44(1),
i.e. Standard amenities already provided 414
2. Number of Qualification Certificates issued
under Section 45 (2) 12
3. Number of Qualification Certificates
refused 293
Number of applications pending, i.e. not
yet finalised, (includes those where
informal letters sent to Owner) 91
5. Number of cases where applications were
unnecessary, i.e. premises decontrolled,
etc 18
6. Number of cases where minor disrepair noted
and informal letters sent to Owner 76
7. Number of cases where Qualification
Certificates issued following an informal
letter 7