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Now that many of the restrictions on labour and materials for slum
clearance projects have been removed, there is urgent need for resuming
the clearance programme which was interrupted by the war. By
comparison with many areas, our problem is not large, but it is serious
and significant enough for the unfortunate families whose health is
prejudiced by having to live in conditions which should no longer be
tolerated. Rather more than 1% of all dwellings in the district are unfit
for occupation, but small as this proportion is, it means that approximately
200 families are in urgent need of re-housing.
Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954
This Act, which came into force in August, 1954, makes further
provision for the improvement of housing conditions. It has three main
features:
(1) Local Authorities are required to submit to the Minister
proposals for dealing with unfit houses in their district
with an indication of the time within which they estimate
the programme will be completed.
(2) Improved conditions for grants for improvement and
conversion of sub-standard houses, with the object of
encouraging more owners to apply for grants.
(3) Provision for increased rents of controlled houses which
are maintained in a good state of repair. Where a landlord
claims this "repairs increase", it is open to the tenant,
if he feels that the house is not in a sufficiently good
condition to justify it, to apply to the Council for a
Certificate of Disrepair. It is the duty of the Council,
if disrepair does exist, to issue a Certificate of Disrepair,
specifying the defects in respect of which it is issued. This
is to make it easier for the landlord to see what work of
repair he needs to carry out if he wishes to get the certificate
revoked.
Preliminary surveys were commenced during the year to enable the
Council to supply the Minister by the end of August, 1955, with the
information he requires as to their proposals for dealing with slum
clearance.
Four Certificates of Disrepair were applied for and granted up to
the end of the year.
Rent and Mortgage Interest Restrictions (Amendment) Act, 1933
No applications were received for certificates as to the state of
repair of dwelling houses controlled by this Act.
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