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(4) Qualification Certificates
The Housing Act, 1969, Part III, establishes a new procedure whereby a controlled
tenancy may become a regulated tenancy with a corresponding increase in rent.
The main conditions are that the house is (a) provided with all the standard
amenities (a fixed bath or shower, a wash-hand basin, a sink, hot and cold water
supplies to these fittings, and a water closet within or entered from within the house);
(b) in good repair having regard to its age, character and locality (disregarding internal
decorative repair) and (c) in all other respects fit for human habitation.
It is necessary for the landlord to apply to the Council for a Qualification Certificate
and the house is then inspected to ensure that the foregoing conditions are
complied with. The Certificate may be granted, provisionally granted (if work to meet
the conditions has been specified in the application), or refused. Both tenant and landlord
have right to appeal to Cpurt and the landlord, when granted a Qualification
Certificate, may then apply to the Rent Officer for the registration of a fair rent.
At the end of 1969, the first applications under the Act were being received.
(5) Medical Priorities
All applications for rehousing on medical grounds, when supported by a medical
certificate, are referred by the Housing Officer for investigation.
A new system of classification was introduced in July 1968. It aimed at assisting
the Housing Sub-Committee by giving more guidance as to the degree of urgency for
rehousing
During the year medical priority was awarded in 115 cases and 63 families were
found suitable accommodation during the same period, which represents approximately
8½% of the total number rehoused.
2. INSPECTION AND SUPERVISION OF FOOD
(1) Food Inspection
Recently there has been an increase in the volume of container traffic for the
importation of food and this trend is likely to continue. One of the essential features
of this type of traffic is rapid off loading at the port and speedy delivery to the area at
which the food is to be received. If, however, all foods had to be inspected at the port
of entry delays would inevitably occur. In order to facilitate the working of the
system, and still retain adequate health control, The Imported Food Regulations, 1968
permit an authorised officer of the local authority of the area into which the food is
imported to either examine the food at that point or allow it to be delivered to the
place of destination without being examined at the place of entry. If he adopts the
latter course he must, as quickly as possible, notify the local authority of the area to
which the food is to be delivered and, at the same time, obtain a written undertaking
from the importers that the containers have been sealed and will not be opened until
they reach the place of destination. The local authority of the place of destination
then becomes responsible for the examination of the food. Consignments of meat under
these circumstances are being received by two firms in the Borough and examination
is carried out by an officer from this department.
During the year there were 104 complaints alleging unfitness or other irregularities
in food compared with 102 in 1968. Although the nature of the complaints varied,
in the main they related to foreign bodies in food, mould affected food and to food
which the complainant considered had unusual appearance or palatability.
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