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87
HOUSE-TO-HOUSE INSPECTION.
Much of the Inspectors' time has been devoted to this very
important branch of Public Health service. During the year
2,869 houses have been inspected, and when it is realised that at
75 per cent. of these houses defects are discovered, the value of
this work cannot be over-estimated. In fact, it is only by houseto-house
inspection that the prevailing conditions existent at the
rear of premises are revealed.
The number of instances at which no defects have been found
was 25 per cent., while routine work was 36 per cent.
It is the following-up of this work by the service of Notices
and the institution of legal proceedings for enforcement which
occupies much time. In many instances, when cases came before
the Court reasons were given why Notices had not been complied
with, and applications made for extension of time were invariably
granted.
INCREASE OF RENT (RESTRICTION) ACTS, 1920-23.
153 applications were made by tenants for certificates under
Section 2 of the above-named Act certifying that the premises
were not reasonably fit for human habitation or in a reasonable
state of repair—this certificate enables the tenant to apply to the
County Court for a rebate of that portion of the increase of rent
sanctioned by the Act for repairs.
114 certificates were issued, and in cases where the condition
of the houses did not justify the granting of a certificate the
owners were communicated with either by letter or Notice calling
their attention to any defects which required remedying.
The provisions of Section 2 has advantages, for there are often
defects for which it is difficult to obtain a remedy in the ordinary
way, i.e., defective coppers, window frames, stoves, etc., but they
contribute largely to the comfort of occupiers, and a house is not
in a reasonable state of repair where these exist; it is in getting
such defects remedied that the Rents Act has a distinct advantage.