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Notices requiring the provision of
means of escape in case of fire 3
Notices served limiting the occupants 4
Total visits made in connection with
this work 168
Improvement of dwellings
This work is controlled by the solicitor to
the council and by the estates and valuation
department However the public health
inspectors inspect each house where an
application is made to advise on its condition
and estimated life In all 147 houses were
inspected
Mortgage applications
Again the public health inspectors visit all
houses which are the subject of a mortgage
application in order that other departments
may be advised of the condition of the
property 46 houses were visited in connection
with this work.
Certificate of disrepair
During the year 7 applications for certificates
of disrepair were approved,5 undertakings
given by landlords to remedy the defects 1
certificate of disrepair was issued
Applications for rehousing on medical grounds
The medical officer of health is frequently
requested to consider applications made to
the director of housing for rehousing to
council houses these applications being
supported by medical certificates, In cases
where the conditions of the existing property
is claimed not be satisfactory the public
health inspector makes an inspection to
determine the condition In all 40 visits were
made in connection with this work.
General improvement areas
The Housing Act 1969 gave the local authority
powers to set up general improvement aeas
This operation is directed towards improving
the older houses and areas where they are
situated One area is under active survey
and others are being considered Although the
public health inspectors are not actively
involved in the survey their knowledge of the
area is proving useful to the discussions
Qualification certificates
The Housing Act 1969 also gave powers to
landlords to increase the rents of controlled
tenanted properties provided they complied
with specific standards of repair and have the
basic amenities of:
a fixed bath or shower
a wash hand basin
a sink
an internal water closet
a hot and cold water supply at the bath
or shower wash hand basin and sink
As all applications must be investigated and
the premises inspected this can provide the
department with considerable additional work
The procedure is very much in its infancy at
present and by the end of the year 212 applications
had been received where the landlord claims the
house complies with the necessary standards
and 7 applications for provisional qualification
certificates where the landlord intends to provide
the necessary amenities.
In all it is estimated that there a'e over 10,000
controlled tenancies concerning which applications
could be made
Moveable dwellings
There are seven site licences under the Caravan
Sites and Control of Development Act 1960
which relate to 9 caravans
In addition to these sites the department was
involved in investigating 12 cases of unlawful
stationing of caravans within the borough In
all 158 visits were paid to caravans throughout
the year
Prevention of Damage by Pests Act 1949
Table 25 details the work carried out by the
department to destroy the rats and mice within
the borough
87
The figure showing the number of infestations
is still unfortunately rather high but arrangements