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Houses in Multiple Occupation - Housing Act, 196l.
There are no common lodging houses in the Borough.
In May 1966 the Council adopted a Standard Code of requirements
to be applied to such premises and the introduction of this standard
throughout the Borough has already proved to be of value in dealing
with this type of dwelling.
When the staffing situation improves a survey of these properties
will be conducted and notices served but during the year under review
only limited progress has been made.
Improvement &rants.
The Housing Acts, 1958 - 1964 provide for Local Authorities to
make grants for the conversion or improvement of dwellings.
During the year a publicity drive was undertaken in co-operation
with the Ministry of Housing and Local Government, For a week the
Ministry's exhibition vehicle was located on the forecourt of the
Guildhall in Kingston and was visited by the Mayor and Mayoress,
Councillor Lt. Col. and Mrs.J.A.Belcher and many residents from this
Borough and the neighbourhood, and this, together with Press publicity,
stimulated further interest in Improvement Grants,, However,
experience suggests that the best form of publicity in any road is for
a house to be improved by means of a grant and for other residents to
be impressed„
Two "types of grant are available, the "Standard" Grant, which,
subject to compliance with the Act, can be claimed as a right, and the
"Discretionary" Grant, in the use and extent of which the Council, as
the title implies, has a discretion,, The Council decided to make
both standard and discretionary grants to applicants as appropriate„
110
Applications for Cancellation of Certificates
By Landlord 1
Objections by tenants to cancellation Nil
Decisions by Local Authority to cancel in spite of
tenant's objection Nil
Certificates cancelled 1