Housing Act 1957

Transitory provisions as respects existing demolition orders

34 Temporary occupation of houses subject to existing demolition orders

(1) If it appears to a local authority that any house in respect of which—

(a) a demolition order was made by that authority under Part II of the Housing Act, 1936, before the thirtieth day of August, nineteen hundred and fifty-four, or

(b) a closing order was made by them under section ten or section eleven of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1953, before that date,

is capable of providing accommodation of a standard which is adequate for the time being, they may grant to the person who, but for the said order, would be entitled to authorise the occupation of the house a licence permitting the occupation of the house during such period as may be specified in the licence by such number of persons and on such terms as to the rent, repairs and other conditions on which the house may be occupied as may be so specified.

(2) While a licence granted under this section is in force in respect of a house, section twenty-two of this Act and the provisions of Part III of this Act as to the vacation of buildings subject to clearance orders or demolition orders shall not apply to it.

(3) Where a licence in force under this section specifies a maximum rent in respect of a house, then notwithstanding any order or direction for the time being in force under section seven of the Agricultural Wages Act, 1948, the value at which the house may be reckoned for the purposes of a minimum rate of wages fixed under that Act shall not exceed the maximum rent so specified.

(4) Any licence granted by a local authority under this section may be revoked by that authority at any time, and shall be so revoked if it appears to the authority that the house is no longer capable of providing such accommodation as aforesaid ; and every such licence shall, unless previously revoked, cease to have effect on the thirtieth day of August, nineteen hundred and fifty-seven, or on such later date as the Minister may in any particular case allow in pursuance of an application made by the local authority before the said date in the year nineteen hundred and fifty-seven.

(5) On the revocation or determination of a licence granted under this section in respect of a house, the local authority may, if they think fit, revoke the demolition order and purchase the house; and section twenty-nine of this Act shall apply as if notice of a determination to buy the house under section nineteen of this Act had become operative.

(6) Any licence issued under Regulation 68A or 68AA of the Defence (General) Regulations, 1939, and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act in respect of a house subject to a demolition or closing order shall continue in force and have effect as if granted under this section, and may be revoked thereunder accordingly.

35 Retention of houses subject to existing demolition orders and required to support other buildings

(1) Where a demolition order was made under Part II of the Housing Act, 1936, at any time before the fourteenth day of August, nineteen hundred and fifty-three, and it appears to the local authority by whom the order was made that compliance therewith is inexpedient having regard to the effect of the demolition of that house on any other house or building, they may, whether or not that order has become operative and whether or not the period within which the house is thereby required to be demolished has expired, revoke the demolition order and make a closing order in respect of the house.

(2) On the making of a closing order under this section the provisions of this Part of this Act shall apply as if the order had been made under the proviso to section seventeen of this Act so, however, that a notice of the revocation of the demolition order shall be served under section nineteen of this Act together with a copy of the closing order.