View report page

79
Environmental Health
(/) Clearance Areas represented during the year
1. Number of Areas 3
2. Houses unfit for human habitation 8
3. Houses included by reason of bad arrangement, etc —
4. Houses on land acquired under Section 43(2) —
5. Number of people displaced (a) individuals 16
(b) families 7
(2) Action taken during the year
1. Houses demolished by Local Authorities or owners
(a) unfit 47
(b) others —
2. Number of people displaced (a) individuals 115
(b) families 44
MULTIPLE OCCUPATION
The Housing Act 1969 has introduced a new definition of a house in multiple occupation, i.e.
"a house which is occupied by persons who do not form a single household" although no definition
of household is given. A new requirement which is welcomed is that action can now be taken to
prevent parts of a house being used when means of escape in case of fire cannot be provided at
reasonable expense.
The Council's policy for controlling multiple occupation by means of Direction Orders has
continued. This control has only been partially effective as there is no penalty for continuing offences.
For this reason the policy lacks "bite" in as much as it is profitable to commit the offence of
contravening a Direction Order—to be fined—and then to continue to allow the residents to remain
in the house continuing to pay rent.
Houses in Multiple Occupation
1. Known number of houses in multiple occupation 326
2. Number of houses on which Notices of Intention have been served for:
(a) Management Orders (Section 12) —
(b) Directions on overcrowding (Section 19) 44
3. Number of houses on which have been made:
(a) Management Orders —
(b) Directions on overcrowding 38
4. Number of notices served:
(a) to make good neglect of proper standards of management
(Section 14) —
(b) to require additional services or facilities (Section 15) 1
(c) to require means of escape in case of fire 5
(d) where work has been carried out in default —
5. Number of prosecutions in respect of:
(a) Management Orders —
(b) Direction Orders 24
(c) Overcrowding (Section 90, Housing Act, 1957) —
6. Number of control orders made (Housing Act, 1964) —
7. Number of control orders terminated —