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113
Where it is impracticable to provide a bathroom in any way other
than by more extensive works of construction, the Housing Act, 1964
allows the Council to substitute in the table above a figure higher
than £25 based on half the estimated costs of providing a bath in a
bathroom, subject to an overall upper limit of £550 grant.
The Council must approve a grant provided that the facilities
are for the exclusive use of the occupants of the dwelling; that the
dwelling will be fit for human habitation on completion of the works
and with normal maintenance will be likely to remain so fit for not
less than 15 years; and that the applicant has a freehold interest
or a leasehold interest of which not less than 15 years remain unexpired.
Discretionary grants may be given for the conversion of houses and
other buildings into self-contained dwellings and for more comprehensive
works of improvement to bring such dwellings provided or improved to a
modern standard higher than that envisaged for standard grants and can
cover certain classes of improvement other than the standard grant
amenities.
In the case of discretionary grants, the Council must be satis-
fied that the dwelling has an expected life of not less than 30 years
and the grant payable is 50% of the costs of improvement works or conversion,
subject to a maximum of £400 in respect of each dwelling provided
or improved.
During the year numerous enquiries were received and advice given,
mostly culminating in applications being made. The following table
summarises the applications dealt with, and shows significant interest
from the owners of tenanted properties, a trend which it is hoped will
increase ®
£
A fixed bath or shower in a bathroom 25
A wash hand basin 5
A hot and cold water supply at a fixed bath
or shower 35
A hot and cold water supply at a wash hand
basin 15
A hot and cold water supply at a sink 25
A water closet if practicable in and accessible
from within the dwelling 40
A satisfactory food store 10