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better. What is to be done is to become the responsibility of the local
authorities. Where these houses are in groups which if it were possible
to do without the houses now would be the subject of the clearance
procedure, the authority will acquire the houses even though the houses
cannot be demolished for some years ; and until demolition and replacement
becomes possible, the authority will improve the condition of the
houses. The authority will follow in respect of these houses the same
procedure as that for the demolition of houses; but demolition in fact
will be deferred.
The third group are the "dilapidated houses." If a local Authority
considers that a house is unfit for human habitation and can be made fit
at reasonable expense, they may require the owner to carry out the
repairs needed to make it fit. If he does not comply, the local authority
may do the necessary repairs themselves, recovering the necessary cost
from him. Proceedings under these provisions were complicated because
there was no accepted standard of unfitness for human habitation. It
is intended that such a standard shall now be defined, and local authorities
will be expected to do on behalf of the owner such work as will enable
the house to reach that standard if the owner fails to do so. The landlord
will not be entitled to any increase in rent where all that he does, or the
local authority does for him, is merely to make the house fit for human
habitation. To qualify for the repairs increase, the house must be put
in good repair as respects both structure and decoration.
The last group of houses are those which would give good service
if they were improved by the provision of necessary amenities, and also
houses too big for present-day needs which could satisfactorily be converted
into flats. Exchequer assistance is already available under the
1949 Housing Act to owners who are prepared to improve or convert
their property. Little use has been made of these powers though, partly
it seems because the facilities are not well known and possibly, too,
because it is a requirement for a grant that the house should have an
expected life of thirty years. There was, too, a limit of £800 on the
cost of conversion. This limit is being raised, and as to the money
spent an addition to the rent of 8% is to be allowed as against the present
figure of 6%. These changes might do something towards retaining
as housing units properties which otherwise would be lost.
Clearance and Re-development Committee
The Council at their meeting on the 11th December accepted the
recommendation of the General Purposes and Finance Committee that
a special committee to be named the Clearance and Re-development
Committee be appointed with the following order of reference:—
To consider, and where necessary to make recommendations to
the Council in regard to, the submission to the Minister of Housing
and Local Government of proposals as to clearance and improvement
areas, including the preparation of detailed proposals, showing phased
programmes for the acquisition and clearance of insanitary dwellings
and replacement thereof and the rehousing of their occupants ; and
for the acquisition and temporary improvement of unfit houses.