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48.
HOUSING (contd.)
Housing Repairs and Rents Act 1954.
No applications were made to the local authority under the Housing
.Repairs and Rents Act 1954 during the year.
Housing Act I96I.
The Housing Act 1961 received the Royal Assent on 24th October 1961 and
came into operation on 24th November I96I. Part 2 of the Act amends the
provisions of the Housing Act 1957 with respect to Houses in Multiple
Occupation, and provides, amongst other things, for a code of management for
such houses; amendments are also made in relation to condemned houses.
In respect of Houses in Multiple Occupation, the Minister may, by
Regulations, prescribe a code of management to ensure the condition of the
following matters.
fl} Water supply and drainage.
(2j Kitchens, bathrooms and water closets in common use.
(5) Sinks and wash basins in common use.
(4) Common staircases, corridors and passage ways.
(5) Outbuildings, yards and gardens in common use.
(6) Refuse disposal.
Local Authorities may require that such a code shall apply to any houses
so let which are in an unsatisfactory state, due to failure to maintain
proper standards of management, and then require the person managing such
house which is defective due to failure to comply with these standards, to
execute works to make good the defects.
They are also empowered to require the execution of other work relating
to lighting, ventilation, water supply, personal washing facilities, drainage
and sanitary conveniences, facilities for storage, preparation and cooking
of food, heating and means of escape from fire where these are insufficient,
because of the number of persons or households accommodated in the property.
The local authority also has power to limit the number of individuals who
should occupy a house let in multiple occupation.
Within a period of three years from the commencement of the Act a local
authority may submit to the Minister a scheme authorising them to compile
and maintain a Register of Houses Let in Lodgings or occupied by more than
one family and buildings which comprise two or more dwellings with shared
sanitary conveniences and personal washing facilities.
With regard to condemned houses, the authority may now exclude from
a confirmed Clearance Order, any house which has been or will be made fit