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49
HOUSING (contd.)
for human habitation, may revoke a demolition order where proposals are
submitted for the reconstruction or improvement of the property, and where
the proposals are for use other than for human habitation and make a Closing
Order in lieu.
Part 3 of the Act provides that the permitted increase in the
rent of a controlled tenancy in respect of improvements shall be 12½% instead
of 870 as previously.
There are also amendments to the requirements relating to Improvement
Grants and Standard Grants.
Finally, in the case of a dwelling house which is let for a period of
less than 7 years, there is to be an implied covenant that the landlord is
to be responsible for the repair of the structure and the exterior of the
premises, and also to be responsible for keeping in repair and proper
working order the installations in the dwelling house as follows.
(1) Water, gas and electricity supplies and sanitation and
(2) for space and water heating.
It is obvious that this new Housing Act has given far greater power to
the local authority for the control of houses let in multiple occupation but
at the same time it has increased the responsibility and the work of the
Public Health Inspectorate to such an extent that consideration may have to
be given to augmenting the existing staff if this work is to be done
efficiently.