XN000022-1986-12-11 — Page 5

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1986

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STEPS OUTLINED FOR HALTING PRIVATE BUILDING DECAY

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AN OUTLINE OF LAWS NEEDED TO DEAL WITH THE +APPARENTLY INEXORABLE DECAY OF MUCH OF OUR PRIVATE BUILDING STOCK+ WAS GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY FOR LANDS AND WORKS, MR GRAHAM BARNES, TODAY (THURSDAY).

MR BARNES SAID THE ULTIMATE OBJECTIVE SHOULD BE THE REQUIREMENT OF A CERTIFICATE OF GOOD MAINTENANCE PREPARED BY AN AUTHORISED PERSON FOR EACH PRIVATE BUILDING EVERY TWO YEARS.

+THIS PROCESS SHOULD BE INITIATED EARLY IN THE CASE FOR ALL BUILDINGS OF LESS THAN 10 YEARS IN AGE, SO THAT THE FIRST CERTIFICATE IS REQUIRED 10 YEARS AFTER THE OCCUPATION CERTIFICATE

IS ISSUED, + HE SAID AT A LUNCHTIME MEETING OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF Y'S MEN'S CLUBS.

FOR BUILDINGS OVER 10 YEARS OLD, THE OWNERS SHOULD HAVE THE OPTION OF SUBMITTING EITHER A CERTIFICATE OF GOOD MAINTENANCE, OR A STATEMENT OF DEFECTS PREPARED BY THE AUTHORISED PERSON.

THEY WOULD BE SUBMITTED TOGETHER WITH A SCHEDULE OF WORKS REQUIRED TO BE DONE, AND WHICH SHOULD BE COMPLETED IN TWO YEARS. THIS WOULD BE FOLLOWED BY THE NORMAL TWO YEARLY CERTIFICATES.

PROVISION SHOULD BE MADE FOR BRINGING IN THE CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS IN RESPECT OF BUILDINGS OF OVER 10 YEARS BY DISTRICT OR ON THE DISCRETION OF THE BUILDING AUTHORITY. THIS WOULD ENSURE THAT THE WORKLOAD COULD BE DISCHARGED WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME.

SANCTIONS SHOULD BE LEVELLED AGAINST THE OWNER OR OWNERS' CORPORATIONS FOR FAILING TO FULFIL THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES TO ARRANGE FOR CERTIFICATES OR A DEFICIENCIES STATEMENT OR TO COMPLETE THE WORKS DESCRIBED.

MR BARNES SAID THERE MIGHT NEED TO BE SOME SYSTEM OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE IN THE FORM OF LOANS SECURED AGAINST THE PROPERTY FOR MAJOR REPAIRS.

+THERE WILL NEED TO BE SOME SYSTEM OF EXEMPTION, HE SAID.

+JUST THROWING OUT THESE IDEAS IS VERY EASY WORKING THEM OUT IN DETAIL TOGETHER WITH ALL THE ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS NEEDED IS LIKELY TO BE EXTRAORDINARILY DIFFICULT AND CONTROVERSIAL.

+HOWEVER I THINK IT IS NECESSARY TO START SAYING SOMETHING SO THAT WE CAN START ON THE LONG ROAD TO ACHIEVING THIS OR SOME OTHER SOLUTION BEFORE THE COST BECOMES TOO EXTREME AND BEFORE WE ARE FACED WITH THE NEED FOR VERY LARGE-SCALE DEMOLITIONS OF HUGE BUT DANGEROUS APARTMENT BLOCKS BUILT IN THE YEARS SOON AFTER THE WAR.+