(1)In determining for any of the purposes of this Act whether premises are unfit for human habitation, regard shall be had to their condition in respect of the following matters—
repair,
stability,
freedom from damp,
internal arrangement,
natural lighting,
ventilation,
water supply,
drainage and sanitary conveniences,
facilities for the preparation and cooking of food and for the disposal of waste water;
and the premises shall be deemed to be unfit if, and only if, they are so far defective in one or more of those matters that they are not reasonably suitable for occupation in that condition.
(2)Subsection (1) does not affect the operation of sections 266 and 282 (special powers to close underground rooms deemed to be unfit for human habitation).
(1)The local housing authority shall cause an inspection of their district to be made from time to time with a view to determining what action to take in the performance of their functions under—
Part VI (repair notices),
Part VIII (area improvement),
Part IX (slum clearance), and
Part XI (houses in multiple occupation).
(2)For the purpose of carrying out that duty the authority and their officers shall comply with any directions the Secretary of State may give and shall keep such records and supply him with such information as he may specify.
(1)The proper officer of the local housing authority shall make a report in writing to the authority whenever he is of the opinion—
(a)that a house in their district is unfit for human habitation, or
(b)that an area in their district should be dealt with as a clearance area;
and the authority shall take into consideration as soon as may be any such report made to them.
(2)If a complaint in writing that a house is unfit for human habitation, or that an area should be dealt with as a clearance area, is made to the proper officer of the local housing authority by—
(a)a justice of the peace having jurisdiction in any part of their district, or
(b)a parish or community council for a parish or community within their district,
the officer shall forthwith inspect the house or area and make a report to the authority stating the facts of the case and whether in his opinion the house is unfit for human habitation or the area should be dealt with as a clearance area.
(3)The absence of a complaint under subsection (2) does not excuse the proper officer of the authority from inspecting a house or area or making a report on it under subsection (1)