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28.
SECTION D,
HOUSING-
CLEARANCE AREAS AND INDIVIDUAL UNFIT DWELLINGS
As reported last year, there are no clearance areas to be dealt
with but there is a small number of individual unfit houses to which attention
will be given in the amalgamated programme for the new borough.
RENT ACT, 1957
This Act came into force on the 6th July, 1957°
The role of the Health Department in the administration of the Act
is confined almost entirely to the consideration of applications made by
tenants of controlled houses for Certificates of Disrepair.
In broad terms the possession of this Certificate enables a tenant to
resist the rent increase permitted by the Act and the granting of a Certificate
is justified only where the dwelling is in disrepair by reason of defects which
ought reasonably to be remedied "having due regard to the age, character and
locality of the dwelling".
Five applications for a Certificate of Disrepair were received
during the year.
HOUSING ACT, 1961
This Act extends and amends the principal Act of 1557°
Twenty-six Applications for Improvement G-rants were approved during
the year, the majority of these being from owner/occupiers.
HOUSING- ACT 1964.
This Act came into force in August 1964. Amongst other things, it
confers powers upon Local Authorities to compel the carrying out of works for
the improvement of dwellings which are without any or all of the standard
amenities, viz:- a fixed bath or shower, a wash-hand basin, a hot and cold water
supply at a fixed bath or shower, a hot and cold water supply at a wash-hand
basin, a hot and cold water supply at a sink, a water closet and satisfactory
facilities for storing food.