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obstructive buildings and let in light and air ; if the necessary repairs to dwellings are carried out ;
and if the surplus population is taken from the area and provided for elsewhere.
Before dealing with an improvement area the local authority must be satisfied that the area
is one in which the housing conditions are unhealthy and can be effectively remedied—
(1) By the demolition of some of the dwelling-houses ;
(2) By the repair of others ;
(3) By the purchase of land for the purpose of opening out the area ; and
(4) By the abatement of overcrowding.
Prior to taking action it is necessary that the local authority should give an undertaking to
the Minister that the provisions of the necessary houses for the persons displaced will be ready ahead
of the displacements.
Fairly large areas should be selected for improvement, but not areas of unmanageable size.
The area should be such that the housing conditions in it can be effectively remedied within a reasonable
time.
Should the local authority determine to deal with an area as an improvement area they must
make byelaws—
(1) To prevent and abate overcrowding ;
(2) To secure improvement of the housing conditions ; and
(3) To secure the subsequent maintenance of a proper standard of housing conditions
in the area.
The object of the Housing Act in respect of improvement areas is the prevention of slums.
Individual Unfit Houses.
Under the Act these are divided into two categories :—
(1) Houses unfit for human habitation, but capable of being rendered fit at a reasonable
expense ;
(2) Houses unfit for human habitation, but not capable of being rendered fit at a
reasonable expense.
In respect of (1), i.e. houses regarded as capable of repair, the procedure is much the same as
under Section 3 of the Housing Act, 1925, in that the local authority serves notice upon the person
having control of the house that the work be done, and, if the notice is not complied with, the local
authority may do the work and recover the cost.
In respect of (2), i.e. houses not regarded as capable of repair, the person having control of the
house is asked to appear before the Council, who will take into consideration—
(1) Any proposals for the execution of works in connection with the house ; or
(2) Any proposals for the future user of the house.
The local authority may accept an undertaking from the owner—
(a) To do the works necessary to render the house fit; or
(b) Not to use the house for human habitation until it has been rendered fit.
If such undertaking is accepted, but subsequently broken, the demolition order is forthwith
made in respect of the dwelling-house. If, on the other hand, such an undertaking is not accepted,
the demolition order would be made.
Appeals.
Objections and appeals are made to the Minister in respect of—
(1) Notice of a clearance order ;
(2) Notice of a compulsory purchase order.
Objections and appeals are made to the County Court in respect of—
(1) Notice to execute works ;
(2) Demand for recovery of expenses of local authority in carrying out works specified
in notice ;
(3) Order made by local authority in respect of such expenses ;
(4) Demolition order ;
(5) Closing order or refusal to determine closing order.
GEORGE F. BUCHAN,
8/11/30 Medical Officer of Health.