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99
of overcrowding or hardship were in the main confined to accommodation
on the Becontree Estate where the rents are lower,
but which is very remote from this Borough. The following table
shows the result of such action during the year.
Referred in previous
years but not then Referred Total,
dealt with. in 1929.
Families accommodated 20* 16 36
Offer declined by applicant or
applicant otherwise suited 2 6 8
Recommendation not accepted
by London County
Council — 13 13
Still under consideration 58 18 76
Total 80 53 133
* Includes 3 cases in which the recommendation had been
previously not accepted by the London County Council.
Repair of Unfit Houses
A good deal of useful work in the repair and re-conditioning
of unfit houses was carried out during the year under the provisions
of the Housing and Public Health Acts, details of which will be
found summarised on pp. 104 and 105. The work of the Council in
this direction has been fully described in previous Annual Reports,
so that it is unnecessary to say more than that the policy of the
Council in using the powers of the Housing Act, 1925, in securing the
re-conditioning of seriously defective house property continues to be
fully justified.
In the case of five houses in Woodgate Street, in default of
compliance by the owner with the notices served under
Section 3 of the Housing Act 1925, arrangements were made for the
Council's Works Department to enter and carry out the necessary
works of repair to render the premises in all respects reasonably
fit for habitation. The freeholders, however, commenced action in
the Chancery Division of the High Court under Section 30 of the
Housing Act 1925 against the "Owner" to terminate the leases and
any derivative under leases, and joined the Council as respondents.