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12
Housing—Improvement Grants
Very careful consideration was given by the Council to
the question of making improvement grants. The very small
number of applications or enquiries was noted and it was
eventually decided that in the interests of the ratepayers of
the district the scheme of improvement grants be not
adopted.
Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954—Disrepair Certificates
Eight applications for disrepair certificates were made by
tenants following service of notices of increase of rents by
their landlords. In each case a certificate was issued.
It appeared that the majority of landlords were not
taking advantage of the provisions of the Act with regard
to rent increases. In many cases no doubt they could not
satisfy the preliminary requirements and in others the possible
repercussions may have deterred them.
Overcrowding
Little statutory overcrowding has come to the notice of
the department, although there have been a few cases. Such
cases, where the people concerned are housing applicants,
are given special consideration in the Council's housing
points scheme.
Moveable Dwellings
Public health control of moveable dwellings in the area
is effected by means of Section 345 of the Middlesex County
Council Act as amended by the 1950 Act and by byelaws.
The consent of the Council is required to the placing or
keeping of any moveable dwelling used or intended to be
used as the sole or principal means of habitation for more
than three months in any year. During the year twelve
applications for consent were received, five were refused and
limited consents given in the other seven cases.
Very little trouble was experienced with the wandering
gypsy. Much of the land previously camped upon by these
people has now either been built upon or enclosed and is
no longer available to them.
Shops
All shops were regularly inspected, the department
administering the whole of the provisions of the Shops Act,
1950, the frequency of inspection depending upon the class
of business carried on.
Licences for the keeping of pet shops were granted in
two instances.