Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many occupied unfit houses there are in Northern Ireland at the present time; how many of these are in private ownership; how many are owner-occupied; how many are owned by the Housing Executive; and how many houses owned by the Housing Executive do not at present meet the criteria of fitness.
§ Mr. CarterI refer the hon. Member to the Northern Ireland Housing Condition Survey 1974, which contains the most up-to-date information available.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when a house is declared unfit in Northern Ireland, what are the criteria used to arrive at a decision as to whether or not it can be brought up to an acceptable standard for further occupation; what are the limits placed upon the cost of restoring the dwelling; and how these cost limits are arrived at.
§ Mr. CarterThe criteria used to determine whether an unfit house can be brought up to an acceptable standard for further occupation depends on the extent to which it is possible to rectify the fault 81W or faults on which the unfitness classification is based. Subject to this, there are no restrictions on the freedom of an owner-occupier or landlord to carry out improvements. If, however, the house is in a proposed redevelopment area it may not be in his interests to restore it before it is vested.
Whether unfit houses owned by the Northern Ireland Housing Executive should be improved depends, for example, on the continued need for housing in the locality; the cost of the work in relation to the cost of new houses; and the likely lifespan of an improved house. There are no statutory cost limits for restoring a house.
Mr. Wm. Rossasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in what circumstances a house in private ownership but occupied by squatters may be declared unfit; and in such cases whether those in occupation normally become a priority case for the housing executive.
§ Mr. CarterI refer the hon. Member to Section 40 of the Planning and Housing Act (Northern Ireland) 1931. The fact that a house is occupied by a squatter does not affect the statutory position. The question of priority for rehousing is a matter for the Northern Ireland Housing Executive within the terms of the Housing Selection Scheme.