View report page

16
C.—Proceedings under Middlesex County Council Act
1956 Sec. 38:-
(1) Number of dwelling houses in respect of
which Notices were served requiring
drains to be cleared 3
(2) Number of houses at which drains were
cleared after service of formal notices :
(a) By owners 3
(b) By Local Authority in default of
owners —
D.—Proceedings under Clean Air Act, 1956:—
Number of dwelling houses in respect of which
notices were served requiring owners to comply
with the provisions of the Act 1
HOUSING ACT, 1961
This Act became operative during the latter part of the year
and a most important feature affecting the Health Department is
the power given to local authorities to deal with houses in multiple
occupation.
The Minister intends making Regulations whereby a local
authority may require satisfactory management of houses let in
lodgings, persons managing such property being responsible for the
provision of services and facilities, and repairs and cleanliness,
including satisfactory arrangements for the disposal of refuse and
litter.
A local authority may serve a notice requiring the execution of
specified works if the amenities are unsatisfactory, and are also
empowered to carry out these works in default.
Provision of means of escape from fire, as the local authority
considers necessary, may be enforced by the service of a notice, and
the number of persons occupying a house let in lodgings can be
limited with a view to preventing or abating overcrowding.
Another provision of the Act is that, in respect of a house where
a demolition order has become operative, local authorities have
power under this Act to determine the demolition order, and substitute
a closing order to enable the house to be used otherwise
than for human habitation.