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Improvements and Rents
The Housing Act 1969 has linked the improvement of properties with the decontrol of controlled tenancies and
the re-assessment for rent purposes of "regulated" tenancies and this is an additional incentive to owners to
modernise their properties.
If, when the Act came into operation on 25th August 1969, a dwelling let at a controlled rent, was provided
with all the standard amenities and these amenities continue to be available, the owner can apply to the Council
for a Qualification Certificate to enable him to request the Rent Officer to fix and register a fair rent for the
dwelling and this rent can be brought into operation, the increase being phased over a period of five years.
Before issuing the Qualification Certificate the Council must be satisfied that, in addition to having all the
standard amenities, the dwelling is fit for human habitation and is in good repair having regard to its age,
character and locality.
437 applications for Certificates were received in 1970.
Applications for Qualification Certificates
Dwellings having amenities at 25th August 1969
No. of Applications received since 25th August 1969 701
No. of Qualification Certificates Granted 21
No. of Qualification Certificates Refused 112
No. of Applications withdrawn 6
No. of Applications where owners notified of repairs needed 326
No. of Applications under investigation at 31st December 1970 236
Where a controlled dwelling lacked some of the standard amenities in August 1969, the owner may submit
proposals for installing these amenities, with or without the aid of a grant from the Council and apply for a
Certificate of Provisional Approval. This will enable him to request the Rent Officer to indicate the fair rent
for the improved dwelling if and when the improvements and repairs have been completed. When the fair
rent has been fixed and the tenant advised, the owner must then request the tenant to consent to the improvements
being carried out: and only if this consent is given can the owner be entitled to a Qualification Certificate
upon the satisfactory completion of the work. This enables him to request the Rent Officer to register the fair
rent.
122 applications were received in 1969.
Applications for Qualification Certificates
Missing Amenities to be provided
No. of Applications received since 25th August 1969 136
No. of Certificates of Provisional Approval issued 50
No. of Qualification Certificates issued 4
No. of Applications withdrawn 9
No. of Applications under investigation or negotiation at 31st December 1970 77
General Improvement Areas
Under the Housing Act 1969 the Council may declare general improvement areas where it is considered that
special efforts are warranted to secure the improvement of dwellings in the areas supplemented by general
environmental improvements to the area to make it a more pleasant area in which to live. Consultation and
collaboration with the residents and owners is an essential feature of any scheme of this nature as its success
must rest wholly upon their co-operation and active participation.
The house condition surveys of two prospective areas were completed in 1970 and these were declared General
Improvement Areas on the dates shown:
Durban Road, G.I.A. (115 Dwellings) 6th July 1970
Clonmell Road, G.I.A. (289 Dwellings) 30th November 1970
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