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that the number of applications will drop significantly as
owners anticipate the implementation of the approaching
Fair Rents Legislation.
a) Qualification certificates
Applications received 102
Applications granted 124
Applications refused 96
b) Certificates of provisional approval
Applications received 103
Applications granted 83
Applications refused 6
c) Visits made to premises in respect of
qualification certificates 857
Improvement of dwellings
The department continues to process the large number of
applications for improvement and standard grants, which
pass through the housing section and inspections are made
to report on the structural condition of the houses
concerned and virtually, whether they are worth improving.
Although it is satisfying to know that many of the older
type houses are being brought up to modern standard, it is
fairly obvious, that the majority are owner-occupied or
intended for owner-occupation. There is still a great deal to
be done in tenanted property and other than in cases where
improvements are carried out in conjunction with other
works required by notices, served in respect of houses in
multiple occupation or a schedule of works for a
qualification certificate, there is no indication that owners
in general are interested in providing their tenants with the
basic standard amenities i.e. an internal water closet, a
bath, a wash hand basin, a sink and a hot and cold water
supply to each of the last three fittings.
Two tenants have made application, under the provision
of Section 19 of the Housing Act, 1964 to have notices
served on their landlords requiring the standard amenities
to be installed. Unfortunately, after the expiration of the
improvement notice, (a period of at least one year), there
are no powers of enforcement and unless the Council
agrees to carry out the work in default of the owner doing
so, the whole matter comes to a complete halt. If this
situation arises when the current notices outstanding
expire, however, there is every confidence that this council
will co-operate in authorising the works of improvement to
be done "in default".
From experience, it is most important that in these cases,
every endeavour should be made to acquaint the applicant
with the financial implications of having his dwelling
improved, as it could result in quite a significant rent
increase, and unfortunately, this can prove to be quite a
deterrent.
The following are the details of the applications received
during the year for grants to improve houses within the
borough:—
a) Standard grants
Applications received 186
b) Improvement grants
Applications received 471
c) Special grants
Applications received 12
d) Total inspections made 830
General improvement areas
The departments major activity in the field of general
improvement areas during the year has been the organising
and the carrying out of the fabric survey of some 200
properties in the proposed Whitestile Road General
Improvement Area. The usual costings and estimates were
prepared, on which the working parties recommendations
to the council were based. Once again, the success or failure
of a general improvement area depends almost entirely on
the co-operation of the property owners and to a certain
extent, on their generosity in the case of tenanted
properties. This gives rise to the question whether
persuasion and publicity will be sufficient to ensure their
success but current legislation provides no alternative.
Ugandan Asians
Towards the latter part of the year, 120 notifications were
received from the various re-settlement centres for Asians
expelled from Uganda, who had opted to come to this
borough. Each of the 90 families, consisting of 305
persons, were visited and a record made of their living
accommodation and general conditions. In many cases,
their circumstances were far from satisfactory but in view
of the emergency, there was no intention of taking any
statutory action, anticipating that given time, most of the
problems would resolve themselves. The situation will be
kept under constant surveillance.
Miscellaneous
When applications are made to the council for mortgages or
repair loans, the property in question is inspected by this
department so that a report on its structural condition can
be made. Where mortgages or loans are granted, periodical
inspections are carried out to ensure that any reported
defects has been remedied. During the year, 74 inspections
were made for mortgages and 38 for repair loans.
In addition 81 of the requests for medical priority for
council housing were inspected in order that the alleged
unsatisfactory housing conditions could be assessed.
New houses
I am advised by the borough architect and borough
engineer and surveyor of the following figures which relate
to new dwellings constructed within the borough during
1972.
Hounslow borough council 443
Private enterprise 85
Moveable dwellings
There are 6 site licences under the Caravan Sites and Control
of Development Act, 1960, which relate to 9 caravans
stationed within the borough.
Throughout the year there has been between 25 and 40
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