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APPENDIX III.
HOUSING STATISTICS (EMPTY PREMISES) 1923.
[Report presented to the Public Health and Housing Committees by
the Medical Officer of Health.]
The latest published statistics issued by the Borough Treasurer,
and presented to the Council on November 29th, 1923, have reference
to September Quarter, 1923 (at September 30th, 1923), and
shew a total number of 250 unoccupied dwelling-houses in rating
(19 dwelling-houses with shops).
The Borough Treasurer has also furnished the Medical Officer
of Health with a list of unoccupied premises out of rating.
This is a useful classification for the purpose of the Housing
Committee's Reference to the Public Health Committee. The
former class (in so far as dwelling-houses are concerned) include
dwelling-houses, which may be dealt with under the Housing,
Town Planning, etc., Act, 1919, either under Section 22 (by the
owners by loans for re-construction, enlargement or improvement),
under Section 28 (by the Borough Council, subject to such dwellinghouses
being not in all respects reasonably fit for human habitation,
short of re-construction). The latter class (in so far as both dwellinghouses
and other premises are concerned) deals with dilapidated,
derelict and demolished (wholly or in part) premises—practically
site values only, the premises being incapable of being made fit for
occupation.
In the opinion of the Medical Officer of Health, the Public
Health Committee is concerned only with dwelling-houses in Class
(1), and instructions were given for a survey by the Housing Inspectors
to be made. This was done, and the results were tabulated
as set out herewith, though, in very many instances, it was found
that, since the Borough Treasurer's report was drafted, the dwellinghouses
had already been sold or let, or were being prepared, for
occupation (after repairs), or for demolition (for the extension of
business premises).