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the conversion of outbuildings attached to the dwelling, a septic
tank is installed or a piped supply of cold water is brought
into the house for the first time, this maximum may be increased
to £350.
Clauses 50 to 52 make similar alterations in respect of
dwellings owned by local authorities.
Clause 53 reduces from 15 years to five years the length
of leasehold interest necessary for an application to be made
for an improvement grant or a standard grant, and Clause 54
reduces from 10 years to three years the period during which the
conditions of grant attach to a dwelling. These conditions
stipulate that the dwelling must not be used for purposes other
than a private dwelling house and restrict the rent which may be
charged.
Clause 56 provides that the rent limit for houses not
subject to controlled tenancies will be calculated on the basis
of the 1963 gross value, instead of twice the 1956 gross value.
Clause 60 increases the maximum permissible amount of
improvement grant for the provision of dwellings by the
conversion of houses of three or more storeys from £400 to
£500 per unit.
During the year the Public Health Inspectors carried out
257 inspections on properties in connection with applications
from owners for improvement grants. Of this total 118 were in
respect of "discretionary" grants, 59 were in respect of
"standard" grants. An additonal 80 visits were made to advise
owners or builders on enquiries regarding improvement grants.
Part IV - Houses in Multiple Occupation
Clause 64 provides that if the proprietor of a house which
is let in lodgings or is occupied by members of more than one
family fails to do the work required by a local authority under
Sections 14 to 16 of the Housing Act, 1961 (the work necessary
to make good defects arising from neglect, works necessary to
make the premises reasonably suitable for the persons occupying
it, and the provision of means of escape in case of fire), and
the local authority carry out the work, the costs recoverable
by the authority are, until recovered, to be a charge upon all
the interests in the house.
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