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26.
new Council flats provide a favourable breeding ground for cockroaches and
beetles but by arrangement with the Borough Architect's Department insecticide
powder is placed in the hot water ducts when they are being constructed. This
method of control has proved to be very successful.
The depositing of insanitary and other putrescible matter on vacant sites
and other places by unauthorised persons is a practice which is not easily
controlled and has been on the increase this year. This entails additional
work for the Public Health Inspectorate. During the year the number of sites
sprayed to prevent the breeding of flies on putrescible matter was 51.
137 articles of clothing, mattresses etc., were removed.
HOUSING REPAIRS & BENTS ACT 1934.
The Rent Act 1957 repealed Sections 23 to 32 of the Housing Repairs &
Rents Act 1954 which dealt with Repairs Increase in respect of Controlled
dwellings. Para. 3 (l) of the seventh schedule of the 1957 Rent Act
authorised that any certificate of defects issued by a local authority made
under the 1954 Act, being a certificate in force immediately before the
commencement of the Rent Act 1957, shall, to the extent that it specifies any
defects as regards the state of repair of any dwellings, have effect after
the commencement of the Act of 1957•
During the year 22 applications were made by owners for the revocation
of certificates of defects granted by the local authority under the 1954 Act.
In each case the dwellings were inspected and applications for revocation
of the certificates were approved.
RENT ACT 1957.
The Rent Act 1957 has now been operative for three years and whilst the
number of applications from tenants and landlords has decreased considerably,
numerous enquiries from tenants and landlords have been received during the
year. Inspections are made by the Public Health Inspectors prior to the
issue of Certificates of Disrepair and Certificates of Revocation.
No difficulties in operation have been experienced and again it is a
pleasure to report that there has been no appeal by tenant or landlord against
any decisions of the Council.