View report page

29
(iv) the landlord, has previously been convicted, for an offence for
failing to comply with a Nuisance Order or an Abatement Order or
contravening a Prohibition or Closing Order.
These details have to be carefully checked before a recommendation for
the acceptance of an undertaking can be made to the Council.
When the owner considers the defects have been remedied he may apply to
the local authority for a Revocation Certificate. The tenant may also apply
for a Certificate to say that the defects have not been remedied. In all
such cases further inspection of the premises has to be made and recommendations
made to the Council accordingly.
The following is a summary of work done during the year-
Number of applications for Certificates of Disrepair 61
Number of decisions not to issue certificates 5
Number of decisions to issue certificates
(a) in respect of some but not all defects 48
(b) in respect of all defects 8
Number of undertakings given by landlords under
paragraph 5 of the First Schedule 32
Number of undertakings refused by Local Authority under
proviso to paragraph 5 of the First Schedule 2
Number of Certificates issued 27
APPLICATIONS FOR CANCELLATION OF CERTIFICATES.
Applications by landlord to Local Authority for cancellation
of certificates 11
Objections by tenants to cancellation of certificates 6
Decision by Local Authority to cancel in spite of tenants'
objection —
Certificates cancelled by Local Authority 5
After nearly two years of operation, it is considered that the Rent Act
1957 is not completely satisfying the function for which it was originally
designed, particularly regarding the raising of the standard of fitness of
dwellings.
The onus placed upon tenants in determining as to the extent of works
required to be carried out is far from satisfactory. In the majority of
cases dealt with it has been found that tenants have not the technical
knowledge to express themselves of the existing defects and in many cases
the essential items of disrepair necessary to render the premises fit for
habitation according to the minimum standards enumerated in the Housing Acts
are neglected. Action can only be taken by a local authority under the Rent
Act 1957 in respect of items as specified by the tenant on a 'G' form.