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I am very grateful for the following report and Tables from
Mr. G. A. Webber, Chief Public Health Inspector, which sets out the
work of the Inspectors during the year.
The Rent Act, 1957, which came into operation in June, 1957,
has made considerable demands on the time of the staff. At the same
time, there are signs that its continued operation is having the effect
of reducing the number of complaints from tenants of rented properties.
The main reason for this may well be due to the anticipated result
of the Act, that the Landlord and tenant would negotiate, on the one
hand the rent increase, and on the other the proper repair of the
property, all without the intervention of the Local Authority. This has
undoubtedly happened in numerous instances, but no official statistics
are available.
There are, however, at least two other reasons. When the Landlord
gives notice that he intends to increase the rent, the tenant can submit
a list of defects of repair. If the Landlord fails to give an undertaking
to do this work, and providing the list, or part of the list, of defects is
factual and approved by the Local Authority, the Authority must issue
a Certificate of Disrepair. Whilst the Certificate remains operative
(i.e. until the works are completed) no increase of rent can be demanded.
It should not, however, be assumed that where Certificates of Disrepair
are issued, the works required are completed forthwith. In very many
cases, as will be seen from statistics given later, a position of stalemate
appears to be reached—the Landlord does not do the work, and the
tenant does not pay the increased rent, and there the matter rests, with
both parties apparently satisfied. Secondly, not all Landlords have
increased the rent of their properties. In such cases one imagines that
the tenant does not complain to the Local Authority about defects of
repair in his occupancy, preferring either to put up with them, or to do
the work himself, in order to remain free of increased rent demands.
Upon receipt of an approved application, the Local Authority's first
duty is to serve a Notice of Intention to issue a Certificate of Disrepair
on the Landlord. Should the Landlord then give a written undertaking
to complete the works within six months, no further action is taken
by the Council.
The Landlord's failure to give such an undertaking results in the
issue of a Certificate of Disrepair.
By the end of 1957 in Beckenham, 65 applications had been
received, and approved either in full or in part. In 33 instances, written
undertakings were submitted by Landlords, and Certificates of Disrepair
issued in respect of the remaining 32 cases. Only six of these
Certificates have so far been cancelled.
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