London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Finsbury 1950

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Finsbury Borough]

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27
SECTION D.
Housing.
General.
It is estimated that there are 9,890 houses in the Borough.
Unfortunately a very considerable proportion are dilapidated
and outworn, and incapable at a reasonable expense of being reconditioned
to comply with modern standards. Deterioration is
proceeding almost as rapidly as temporary improvements can be
effected. Nevertheless it can be accepted that there was some
betterment during the year. Again much of the property was
built many years ago and is unsuitable for conversion into the type of
accommodation that it is desired to provide at the present time.
Until such time as demolition and rebuilding can be carried out on an
extensive scale, it is clear that every effort must be exercised to
preserve houses wherever possible and prevent the falling off of
even those amenities that are available to residents
Most of the work to secure this has been undertaken under the
Public Health Act by informal action.
Proceedings under the Housing Act.
No representations were made and no notices served under
Section 9 and 10 of the Housing Act, 1936 requiring notices to be
served.
27 House to House inspections were carried out.
No representations were made during the year under Section 11
that premises were unfit for habitation and could not at a reasonable
expense be made fit.
The position at the end of 1950 with regard to the two
representations made under Section 11 in 1949 was as follows:
1.—In respect of a tenement house. The representation was
agreed by the Council, proposals by the owners not having been
accepted, and a Demolition Order was made. The matter was
given further consideration during the year, but the house had not
been demolished by the end of the year.