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Rehousing of Tenants of Houses requiring Improvement
When in February 1970 the Council formulated its policy with regard to house improvement grants under the
Housing Act 1969 it decided that, where necessary in order to allow for the repair and modernisation of dwellings
existing tenants would be offered alternative accommodation providing the owners entered into agreements to
accept nominees from the Council's housing list for the tenancy of premises improved in this way. This decision
was subject to review when the operational implications could be assessed.
Since the adoption of this policy a few cases have arisen where rehousing was necessary and no special difficulty
has been met. Nomination agreements have been entered into in nine cases and in three of these the improvements
had been completed at the end of 1971. Two of the premises have been reoccupied by nominated tenants and in
the other case the remaining tenant was allowed to occupy the whole of the improved house which was too small
for sub-division.
Housing Acts 1957-1969
Repair and Improvement of Dwellings
From time to time this Council receive requests from tenants for assistance in securing the installation of the
standard amenities in their dwellings.
Although there are statutory powers which can be invoked to require the landlord to install the missing amenities,
these are involved and the legal processes extend over a considerable period of time. The landlord also has the
right, as an alternative to carrying out the works, to require the Council to purchase the property. Every
endeavour, therefore is made to persuade the landlord informally to meet the tenant's wishes with the aid of an
improvement grant.
However, on occasions it is not possible to secure the installation by these informal methods either because the
owner is unwilling or unable to incur the expenditure involved and not prepared to borrow the money from the
Council or elsewhere for that purpose. This leaves two possible courses open to the Council:—
(a) Take statutory action to require the landlord to carry out repairs and improvements in the knowledge that
the landlord may require the Council to purchase the premises; or
(b) Negotiate for the sale of the property to the Council and the Council carry out the necessary works (with or
without a change of tenant). Compulsory purchase orders are also available.
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.
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