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cost and the Council purchased the property by agreement for the
purpose of demolition.
During the year a further check on properties of the type
liable to action was carried out in response to Ministry Circular
No. 2/60 and the Council propose to deal with a further 15 - 20
houses at the appropriate time.
Housing repair work has followed the pattern of recent years
but a feature of some significance in this respect has been the
falling off in complaints by tenants, of disrepair and insanitary
conditions in houses, compared with the early post war years when
comparatively high figures were recorded.
The generally dilapidated state of houses at that time was
mainly the cause but the decrease in this type of complaint has
been gradual for some years to a point when the number now
recorded has reached a level little more than a tenth of the peak
years.
This situation lends point to the Minister's further appeal to
encourage a greater interest in the improvement of houses lacking
modern conveniences but otherwise in sound condition.
During the year Discretionary Improvement Grants were made
in respect of seven houses where improvement works were carried
out to the total value of £2,204. Standard grants were also made in
respect of the provision of "Standard amenities" in four houses to
the value of £343. In all cases 50% grants were made.
These numbers cannot be considered very satisfactory, particularly
when it is disclosed that the houses in question were all
owner-occupied. This confirms a trend that has been apparent for
some time, at least in this district, that landlords owning rented
cottage property do not appear to be interested in investing more
money in this type of house.
When the system of Standard Grants was introduced, an
approach was made to a large property Company with a view to
stimulating interest in the improvement of houses owned by the
Company in the district, but this met with no response. This
method of approach will be pursued in the light of the amendments
made in the Housing Act, 1961, whereby the rent limit under the
Rent Act, 1957 may be increased by 12½% of the amount expended
on improvements by the landlord in lieu of the 8% formerly
permitted.
No action was taken during the year relating to the issue of
Certificates of Disrepair under the provisions of the Rent Act, 1957.
DRAINAGE
During the year approximately 400 lineal yards of soil sewer
were constructed by the Council to provide main drainage in
respect of five houses in Firs Road, Kenley, and thus eliminate
cesspool drainage at these properties. Five cesspools were abolished
during the year.
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