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Housing Act, 1961
This Act came into force in November, 1961. It is divided into three
parts - Part I dealing with Exchequer subsidies for new housing accommodation;
Part II with amendments of the Housing Act, 1957 and
Part III with private improvements in housing, repaing obligations, etc.
the Public Health Department is concerned mainly with Parts II and
III. Part II give local authorities the much sought after powers to deal
with the vexed problem of houses let in multiple occupation. Under
this part of the Act power is given to local authorities to apply regulations,
which the Mnister of Housing and Local Government is empowered
to make, to houses or parts of houses let in lodgings which are
occupied by members of more than one family and in an unsatisfactory
state in consequence of failure to maintain standards of management,
etc.
Section 14 prescribes the means by which local authorities can enforce
works of repair to these properties which they consider necessary to
make good neglect due to bad management. Work envisaged under
this section is that required to ensure repair, maintenance, cleansing
and good order of all means of water supply and drainage, of kitchens,
bathrooms, etc., of sinks and staircases. Section 15 gives powers to local
authorities io deal with lighting (natural and artificial), ventilation,
water supply, personal washing facilities, heating appliances and for the
preparation and cooking of food, etc.
Other sections deal with means of escape in case of fire, right of
appeal by management against notice requiring execution of works, etc.,
the carrying out of work by a local authority in default and for fixing
the highest number of individuals who should live in the house.
Provision is made whereby a local authority may apply to the Minister
to confirm a scheme for compiling and maintaining a register of
houses or parts of houses let in lodgings, etc., but such a scheme cannot
be put into effect until three years has elapsed since the commencement
of the Act.
Obligations to keep in good repair the structure, exterior of the
dwelling house (drains, gutters, etc.) and installations for the supply of
water, gas and electricity and similar items are contained in Section 32
of Part III of the Act.
No Regulations were made during 1961.
Public Health Act, 1961
This Act differs from the Public Health Act of 1936 in that the
Minister of Housing and Local Government has been given power to
make building regulations for the whole of England and Wales to
supercede building byelaws made by each local authority. This part
of the Act comes into force on such a date as the Minister may appoint,
following which the local authorities will no longer have powers to
make building byelaws.
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