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21
(3) Certificates as to Remedying of Defects
Number of applications received (Form 0) 4 (362)
(a) from tenants 1 (118)
(b) from landlords 3 (244)
Number of certificates issued (Form P) 4 (362)
(a) that defects have been remedied 3 (172)
(b) that defects have not been remedied 1 (190)
The figures given in brackets are the total since the 6th July, 1957, when the
Act came into force.
HOUSE PURCHASE AND HOUSING ACT, 1959
A total of 64 applications for standard grants were referred to this
department for observations of which 30 were approved.
HOUSING ACT, 1964
The Borough Council on 22nd September, 1964, delegated Parts II and IV of
the above Act and the provisions of Part V relating to the Clean Air Act, 1956.
to the Public Health Committee.
This Act, which was introduced as a Government Bill on 13th November,
1963, received the Royal Assent on 16th July, 1964, and is now in force.
Members will recollect a report was submitted on the Bill to the Committee in
January 1964, and the following report sets out the main provisions of the
parts of the Act delegated to the Public Health Committee
Part II of the Act deals with the compulsory improvement of dwellings.
If the Council is satisfied that any area consists of dwellings lacking
one or more of the following standard amenities.-
a fixed bath or shower in a bathroom, if reasonably practicable;
a wash hand basin:
a hot and cold water supply at a fixed bath or shower, if
reasonably practicable in a bathroom;
a hot and cold water supply at a wash hand basin;
a hot and cold water supply at a sink;
a water closet;
satisfactory facilities for storing food;
and that at least half of the dwellings are capable of improvement to the
full standard and they will then be fit for human habitation and available
for use for 15 years, the Council may declare the area to be an Improvement
Area. Local Authorities must inspect their districts to ascertain
whether any of them should be declared Improvement Areas. Where a
tenanted dwelling is an Improvement Area is without one or more standard
amenity but is capable of improvement at reasonable expense up to the
full standard, or if not to the reduced standard (hot and cold water at
a sink a water closet; and satisfactory facilities for storage of food
only) a preliminary notice may be served upon the landlord specifying the
works required and the cost of improving the property to the full or
reduced standard and stating a time and place at which the future use of
the dwellings, the proposals and interests of the tenant may be discussed.
At any time after the meeting when the requirements of the preliminary
notices are considered but within 2 years of the designation of the
Improvement Area, if the dwelling still lacks the standard amenities an
Improvement Notice may be served upon the person having control. If the
tenant consents to the improvements the works must be completed within 12
months from the date of the improvement notice (which then becomes an
immediate improvement notice) becomes operative.
If the tenant's consent is not given, the improvement notice will be
suspended and. if there is a change of occupation or the tenant changes
his mind and there is no change in the circumstances of the building, then