Housing Act 1957

PART IGeneral Provisions as respects Local Authorities

1Local authorities for purposes of this Act

2Approval by Minister of proposals for exercise of local authorities' functions under Parts II and III

3Duty of local authority to inspect district and keep records

PART IIProvisions for securing the repair, maintenance and sanitary condition of houses

Definition of Standard of Fitness

4Matters to be taken into account in determining whether a house is unfit

5Prohibition of back-to-back houses

Obligation of Lessors of Small Houses

6Conditions to be implied on the letting of small houses

7Application of foregoing section to houses occupied by agricultural workers otherwise than as tenants

8Information to be given to tenants of working-class houses

Unfit premises capable of repair at reasonable cost

9Power of local authority to require repair of unfit house

10Enforcement of notice requiring execution of works

11Right of appeal

12Power of local authority to buy house found on appeal not to be capable of repair at reasonable cost

13Recovery by lessees of proportion of cost of execution of works

14Charging orders in favour of owner executing works

15Form, effect, etc. of charging orders

Unfit premises beyond repair at reasonable cost

16Power of local authority to accept undertaking as to reconstruction or use of unfit house

17Duty of local authority to make demolition or closing order or to purchase house where no undertaking is accepted

18Power to make a closing order as to part of a building

19Service of notice of demolition or closing order or intention to purchase

20Right of appeal against demolition order, etc.

21Content of demolition order

22Demolition orders: recovery of possession of building to be demolished

23Demolition orders: enforcement

24Demolition orders: power to permit reconstruction of condemned house

25Demolition orders: cleansing before demolition

26Demolition orders: substitution of closing order in case of house included in building preservation order, etc.

27Closing orders: general provisions

28Closing orders: substitution of demolition order

29Provisions as to purchase of condemned houses

30Payments in respect of condemned houses which have been well maintained

31Temporary provisions for payments to owner-occupiers and others

32Payments to persons displaced

Protection of owners

33Provisions for protection of owners of houses

Transitory provisions as respects existing demolition orders

34Temporary occupation of houses subject to existing demolition orders

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

Houses let in lodgings

36Power to require execution of works or reduction of number of occupants of house

37Date of operation of notices, demands and orders subject to appeal

38Provisions as to appeals under Part II

39Interpretation of Part II

40Saving for certain restrictions in Part III

41Local authority for Part II in London

PART IIIClearance and Re-development

Clearance Areas

42Power to declare an area to be a clearance area

43Method of dealing with clearance area

44Clearance orders: general provisions

45Clearance orders: recovery of possession of buildings to be demolished

46Clearance orders: temporary retention of houses let to local authorities

47Treatment of land acquired by local authority

48Temporary retention of unfit houses acquired by local authority

49Provisions with respect to property originally belonging to a local authority

50Arrangements where acquisition of land in a clearance area found to be unnecessary

51Power of local authority to purchase cleared land which owners have failed to re-develop

52Local authority for clearance areas in London

Transitory provisions as respects houses in clearance areas

53Temporary occupation of houses subject to existing clearance orders

54Power to purchase buildings subject to existing clearance orders

Re-development Areas

55Duty of local authority to secure re-development

56Re-development plan

57Purchase of land for purposes of re-development

58Local authority for re-development areas in London

General provisions as to land affected by provisions of Part III

59Compensation for land purchased compulsorily

60Payments in respect of well maintained houses

61Temporary provisions for payments to owner-occupiers and others

62Power of entry on land to be purchased by agreement under Part III or appropriated for the purposes of clearance areas

63Power of local authority to make allowances to persons displaced

64Extinguishment of rights of way, easements, etc.

65Provisions as to apparatus of statutory undertakers

66Power to construct streets in clearance areas in London

Costs of opposing orders, etc.

67Provisions as to costs of persons opposing orders and as to costs of Minister

Re-development and re-conditioning by owners

68Re-development by owners

69Certificates as to condition of houses

70Re-development, &c, by owners: excepted cases

71Local authority for re-development, etc., by owners in London

Demolition of obstructive buildings

72Power of local authority to order demolition of obstructive building

73Recovery of possession of building subject to demolition order under Part III

74Effect of order for demolition of obstructive building

75Local authority for demolition of obstructive buildings in London

PART IVAbatement of Overcrowding

General provisions

76Duty of local authority to inspect and to make reports and proposals as to overcrowding

77Definition of overcrowding

78Offences in relation to overcrowding

79Power of Minister to increase the permitted number temporarily to meet exceptional conditions

80Power of local authority to authorise the temporary use of a house by persons in excess of the permitted number

81Entries in rent books, information and certificates with respect to the permitted number

82Information as to rights and duties as respects overcrowding

83Duty of landlord to inform local authority of overcrowding

84Right of landlord to obtain possession of overcrowded house

85Enforcement of Part IV

86Duty of medical officers to furnish particulars of overcrowding

87Definitions for purposes of Part IV

88Local authority for overcrowding in London

89Contributions by London County Council to expenses in relation to overcrowding

Overcrowding in houses let in lodgings

90Overcrowding in houses let in lodgings

PART VProvision of housing accommodation

General powers and duties of local authorities

91Periodical review of housing conditions by local authorities

92Mode of provision of accommodation

93Supplementary powers of providing buildings or land in connection with provision of accommodation

94Power to provide furniture

95Power to provide board and laundry facilities

96Power of local authority to acquire land for provision of accommodation

97Procedure for acquiring land

98Continuance of tenancies of houses compulsorily acquired and to be used for housing purposes

99Appropriation of land for provision of accommodation

100Power to make allowances to persons displaced by purchase under Part V

101Power of entry on land to be purchased by agreement or appropriated for the purposes of Part V

102Land in New Forest

103Power to acquire water rights for houses provided

104Power of disposing of houses provided under Part V

105Other powers of dealing with land acquired or appropriated for provision of accommodation

106Power of Minister to impose conditions on sale of houses and land

107Powers relating to development of land

108Execution of works in connection with housing operation by local authority outside their own area

109Responsibility for roads constructed by local authority outside their own area

110Adjustment of differences between local authorities as to carrying out proposals

Management, &c, of local authority's houses

111General responsibility for local authority's houses

112Byelaws for regulation of local authority's houses

113Conditions to be observed in management of local authority's houses

114Reservation of houses for agricultural population

115Power to establish Housing Management Commissions

Special provisions for rural districts

116Responsibility of county councils in respect of housing conditions in rural districts

117Agreements by county council for assisting rural district councils in provision of accommodation

118Minister's power to assist rural district councils by acquiring land and erecting houses

Housing associations

119Power of local authorities and county councils to promote and assist housing associations

120Arrangements with housing associations for provision of housing

121Arrangements with housing associations for improvement of housing

122Power of local authorities to sell furniture to persons housed by housing associations

123Unification of conditions affecting housing associations' houses

124Power of Minister to recognise central housing association

Development corporations

125Provision of housing accommodation by development corporations

126Power of county councils to provide houses for their employees

127Power of companies, &c, to provide houses for working classes

128Trusts for provision of houses for working classes

129Power of corporate bodies to sell or let land for housing purposes

130Power of water and gas companies to supply on favourable terms

131Exercise of Public Health Act powers for purposes of Part V

Provisions as to London

132Local authority for Part V in London other than City

133Exercise by local authorities in London of certain powers for the purposes of Part V

134Provision of housing accommodation in Isles of Scilly

PART VIFinancial Provisions

Expenses of local authorities

135Expenses of rural district councils and county councils

136Power of local authorities to borrow for purposes of Act

137Borrowing in connection with operations carried out by local authority outside its own area

138Power to issue local housing bonds

139Loans by Public Works Loan Commissioners to local authorities

140Power of local authorities to lend to other authorities

Subscription to local savings committees

141Subscriptions by local authorities to local savings committees

142Application of purchase money, etc.

PART VIIGeneral

Central Housing Advisory Committee

143Central Housing Advisory Committee

144Re-housing obligations of undertakers

Provisions as to building byelaws, &c

145Building byelaws not to apply to certain buildings

146Relaxation of Building Acts or byelaws in London

147Power of Minister to prescribe a code of byelaws for new streets

148Power of Minister to revoke unreasonable byelaws

Provisions as to acquisition, &c. of Land

149Protection of amenities of locality, &c

150Provisions as to commons and open spaces

151Power of local authorities to enforce covenants against owner for the time being of land

152Compensation in certain cases of subsidence

153Donations for housing purposes

Procedure of local authorities: Official representations

154Joint action by local authorities

155Buildings situated in districts of more than one local authority

156References by local authority to Public Health and Housing Committee

157Official representations

Recovery of possession, entry, &c

158Recovery of possession of controlled houses

159Power of entry for inspection, &c

160Penalty for obstructing execution of Act

161Penalty for preventing execution of repairs, &c

Powers of the court for housing purposes

162Power of court to determine lease where premises demolished

163Power of court to authorise owner to execute works on default of another owner

164Power of court to authorise examination of works on unfit premises or for improvement

165Power of court to authorise conversion of houses into several tenements

Notices, orders, &c

166Authentication of orders, notices, &c

167Authentication of certificates

168Service of notices, &c., on local authorities

169Service of notices, &c, on persons other than local authorities

170Power of local authority to require information as to ownership of premises

Default of local authorities

171Powers of county council and Minister in the event of default of rural district council

172Powers of Minister in event of default by county council in the exercise of transferred powers

173Power of Minister in the event of default of local authority other than rural district council

174Provisions as to orders directing county council to perform obligations of urban district council

175Provisions as to exercise by Minister of powers of a local authority

176Power to vary and revoke certain orders relating to defaults

177Power of London County Council in the event of default of metropolitan borough council

General Powers of Minister

178Power of Minister to prescribe forms, etc.

179Dispensation with advertisements and notices

180Provisions as to orders made by Minister

181Local inquiries and reports

182Arrangements between the Minister and other Departments

Miscellaneous provisions as to London

183Relations between local authorities in London

184Agreements between the London County Council and other authorities in London

185Agreements between the London County Council and neighbouring authorities as to provision of houses

186Provisions as to medical officers of health in London

187Provisions as to City of London

PART VIIISupplemental

188Powers of Act to be cumulative

189Interpretation

190Consequential amendments

191Repeal and savings

192Construction of references to this Act and to enactments repealed

193Short title, commencement and extent

FIRST SCHEDULECompulsory Purchase of Land under Part II

1(1) The Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) Act, 1946, shall...

2(1) A notice relating to a compulsory purchase of land...

3Where a local authority are authorised under Part II of...

SECOND SCHEDULEPayments in respect of Unfit Houses

PART IAscertainment of Amount Payable for Well-maintained Houses

1The payment in respect of a house under section thirty...

2(1) The payment shall be of an amount equal either—...

3(1) In the foregoing provisions of this Schedule "the appropriate...

PART IIPayments to Owner-Occupiers and others in respect of Unfit Houses Purchased or Demolished

Private dwellings

4(1) This paragraph shall have effect where at any time...

5(1) Where a payment falls to be made under .the...

Business premises

6(1) This paragraph shall have effect where on or after...

7(1) For the purposes of this Part of this Schedule,...

THIRD SCHEDULECompulsory Purchase of Land under Part III

PART IProcedure for Authorising Compulsory Purchases

1(1) A compulsory purchase order under Part III of this...

2(1) Before submitting the order to the Minister the local...

Procedure for orders for the compulsory purchase of land within, surrounded by or adjoining a clearance area

3(1) The provisions of this paragraph shall have effect with...

4(1) An order as confirmed by the Minister under the...

Procedure for orders for compulsory purchase of land for purposes of re-development

5(1) The provisions of this paragraph shall have effect with...

6An order as confirmed by the Minister under the last...

PART IIIncorporation of Enactments

7(1) A compulsory purchase order under Part III of this...

8(1) The modifications subject to which the Lands Clauses Acts...

9Where a local authority have been authorised by an order...

10Where a local authority are authorised to purchase compulsorily any...

PART IIIRules as to the Assessment of Compensation where Land Purchased otherwise than at Site Value

1If the tribunal by whom the compensation is to be...

2If the tribunal are satisfied that any premises are in...

3The local authority may tender evidence as to the matters...

4The tribunal shall have regard to and make an allowance...

5In assessing compensation for premises purchased under section fifty-seven of...

6The tribunal shall embody in their award a statement showing...

FOURTH SCHEDULEValidity and Date of Operation of Certain Orders under Part III

1So soon as may be after a compulsory purchase order...

2If any person aggrieved by such an order as aforesaid,...

3Subject to the provisions of the last foregoing paragraph, the...

4Except by leave of the Court of Appeal, no appeal...

5So soon as may be after a compulsory purchase order...

FIFTH SCHEDULEClearance Orders

1A clearance order shall be in the prescribed form and...

2There shall be excluded from the order any houses or...

3(1) Before submitting the order to the Minister the local...

4So soon as may be after the required notices have...

5(1) If no objection is duly made by any of...

6(1) An order as confirmed under this Schedule shall not...

SIXTH SCHEDULENumber of Persons permitted to use a House for Sleeping

SEVENTH SCHEDULECompulsory Purchase of Land under Part V

1(1) The Acquisition of Land (Authorisation Procedure) Act, 1946, shall...

2(1) In the case of a compulsory purchase under Part...

EIGHTH SCHEDULELocal Housing Bonds

1Local bonds shall— (a) be secured upon all the rates,...

2Local bonds shall be exempt from stamp duty under the...

3The provisions of section one hundred and fifteen of the...

4A local authority shall, in the case of any person...

5Local bonds issued by a local authority shall be accepted...

6The Minister may, with the approval of the Treasury, by...

7For the purposes of this Schedule the expression " local...

NINTH SCHEDULERehousing by Undertakers

1If in the administrative county of London or in any...

2The housing scheme shall make provision for the accommodation of...

3(1) Provision may be made by the housing scheme for...

4The housing scheme shall provide that any land acquired under...

5If the Minister does not hold a local inquiry with...

6The Minister may, as a condition of his approval of...

7Before approving any scheme the Minister may, if he thinks...

8If the undertakers enter on any dwellings in contravention of...

9If the undertakers fail to carry out any provision of...

10The Minister may, on the application of the undertakers, modify...

11For the purposes of this Schedule— (a) the expression "...

TENTH SCHEDULEAdaptation of References to Enactments in Housing Acts

The Local Government Act, 1933(23 & 24 Geo. 5 c. 51)

1In paragraph (c) of section two hundred and seventeen the...

2In the Seventh Schedule for the reference to the Housing...

3In the Eighth Schedule the references to the Housing Acts,...

The County Courts Act, 1934(24 & 25 Geo. 5 c. 53)

The London Government Act, 1939(2 & 3 Geo. 6 c. 40)

1In subsection (1) of section one hundred and thirty-four, in...

2In the Fifth Schedule for the reference to the Housing...

The Town and Country Planning Act, 1944(7 & 8 Geo. 6 c. 47)

1In subsection (2) of section thirty the reference to section...

2(1) In paragraph 9 of the Fifth Schedule the reference...

The Housing Repairs and Rents Act, 1954(2 & 3 Eliz. 2 c. 53)

The Requisitioned Houses and Housing (Amendment) Act, 1955(3 & 4 Eliz. 2 c. 24)

The Rent Act, 1957(5 & 6 Eliz. 2 c. 25)

ELEVENTH SCHEDULERepeals

Housing Act 1957

1957 Chapter 56

An Act to consolidate the enactments relating to housing with the exception of certain provisions relating to financial matters.

[31st July, 1957]

Be it enacted by the Queen's most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal,- and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—